Political Outlook for Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt

Key points:

• Morocco’s monarchy seems to have survived the wind of change blowing on Arab countries last year and is currently trying to hold on to its power by allowing reforms that partly reduce its absolute authority.
• The adoption of a new constitution and the victory of moderate and nationalist Islamic parties are signs that mark Morocco’s gradual progress towards the demands of protesters who have taken the streets last year.
• However, civil society is not yet a primary actor in Moroccan politics and a widespread sense of communalism is still missing.
• Tensions are still present in Morocco, due to the unresponsiveness of the central government regarding the high levels of unemployment, structural corruption and deficiencies in welfare and health systems.
• Morocco has been praised by the international community for its counter-terrorism efforts, although major security risks stem from the unresolved situation of West Sahara. High unemployment and persisting poverty, however, continue to ensure fertile grounds for terrorist recruiters.
• New economic deals with the EU are expected to have a positive impact on the Moroccan economy, which is of great interest for foreign direct investors.
READ MORE

• May 8, 2012

Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan's Republican Party won a parliamentary election, early results showed on Monday, in a poll that was seen as a test of democracy in Russia's main ally in the South Caucasus region.

• May 7, 2012

Kazakhstan and Germany have vast potential to further enhance their economic and trade relations and raise bilateral cooperation to a new level. First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Serik Akhmetov, delivered this message at the Third Raw Materials Conference in Berlin held on April 25.

• April 28, 2012

Russia was interested in participating in energy projects in Kyrgyzstan, a Russian official said here Friday.

• April 28, 2012

Senior Taliban leaders tell Channel 4 News that talks with the United States have started again in Qatar - intransigence on all sides is blamed for the failure of talks earlier this year.

• April 27, 2012

As Syrian dictator Bashar Assad continues his slaughter, the issue is not whether more forceful U.S. action to stop him is risk-free.

• April 27, 2012

Iran is preparing public opinion for possible concessions on its nuclear programme in renewed talks with six world powers.

• April 27, 2012

Azerbaijani ambassador to Tajikistan Abbasali Hasanov has presented his credentials to President Emomali Rahmon.

• April 26, 2012