MUST-READS

• U.S. - GCC Summit
  The United States, the GCC, and Iran: The Crisis that Wasn’t

  The joint statement issued by the United States and the representatives of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman after the Camp David session was unequivocal: The participants “emphasized that a comprehensive, verifiable deal that fully addresses the regional and international concerns about Iran’s nuclear program is in the security interests of GCC member states as well as the United States and the international community.”

  • AGSIW - Narrowing the Gulf: U.S. and GCC Revamp Relations at Camp David Summit
  • Brookings Institution - Perspective: On Iran, the GCC is paying the price of relying on Benjamin Netanyahu
• ISIS and Antiquities
  Islamic State’s War on Art Turns a Profit

  One aim is profit -- despite their spokesman’s claims about ignoring the “billions of dollars” such antiquities could be worth. The videos show the destruction only of large, unwieldy and easily identifiable works. These antiquities would be difficult to transport out of Syria and Iraq and would not find willing buyers, since they could be recognized and seized as stolen property.

• Libya
  One killed, seven wounded in suicide bombing in eastern Libya: official

  Islamic State militants, exploiting a power vacuum amid conflict between two rival governments, have built up a presence in Derna, a city to the east of Qubbah. But there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

  • USA Today - New report claims al-Qaeda-Benghazi link known day after attack
• Al-Qaeda in Syria
  Al Qaeda graduation day in Idlib, Syria

  The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has posted a series of photos showing what appears to be more than 100 newly-graduated jihadists in Idlib. In late March, Al Nusrah and its jihadist allies overran the provincial capital of Idlib. Their coalition, named Jaysh al Fateh (“Army of Conquest”), has continued to fight against regime forces in the surrounding areas in the weeks that followed. Al Nusrah began a big push in northern Syria late last year, taking the fight to both Western-backed rebel groups and Bashar al Assad’s regime.

• Anti-ISIS Campaign: Iraq
  White House Promises to Bomb Ramadi Until City Retaken From ISIS

  After a weekend of mixed signals on the status of Ramadi, the White House acknowledged Monday that that the capital of Anbar province had fallen to ISIS and pledged that the city would be taken back.

  • The Hill - Pentagon to accept help from Shia militias in Iraq
  • USA Today - Fall of Ramadi raises specter of sectarian conflict
  • Washington Post - Opinion: Why perspective is needed while watching the fall of Ramadi in Iraq
  • Foreign Policy - The Men Who Would Save Ramadi
  • Daily Beast - ISIS Counterpunch Stuns U.S. and Iraq
• War in Yemen: East Africa
  UN: Yemen Crisis Could Open Jihadist Path Through Somalia

  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned in a new report that the crisis in Yemen could open a corridor for jihadist movements through Somalia, which is located just across the Gulf of Aden.

  • LA Times - Yemeni refugees wait out war in heat and dust of Djibouti
• Renewable Energy
  Focusing on CSP, Saudi Arabia to Add 41 GW Solar Power by 2032

  According to a recently published report from TechSci Research, a “phenomenal” rate of growth is anticipated, especially between 2015–2020. With a plan for adding 54 GW of power generation capacity from renewable sources, 41 GW of solar power will contribute to the mix of renewables in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by 2032.

• Jason Rezaian
  Trial of Iranian-American journalist to start in Tehran on May 26: ISNA

  The trial of jailed Iranian-American journalist Jason Rezaian will begin on May 26 at a court in Tehran, a judicial spokesman told a semi-official news agency on Tuesday, without elaborating on the charges against him.

• Commercial Aviation
  Saudia aims to have 200 aircraft by 2020

  Spelling out future objectives, the director general said: “We’ll increase the number of aircraft from 119 to 200 by 2020 and increase the number of passengers by improving services.” Saudia transported more than 28 million last year.

• Municipal Elections
  Saudi Arabia announces date for first female local elections

  Saudi authorities have set the date for the first election to include female candidates and voters for December 12, Arab News reported.

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