Category Archives: PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics)

PIDE=Policy, International Development, & Economics by serving as a forum to discuss the many layers of complexity in the diverse MENA region. By the way, just like the Turkish version of pizza, or “pita”, pide tastes great too.

Human Interest Isn’t the Same Thing as Humanitarian Interests

Yesterday, we attended two discussions that highlighted how diplomacy could either advance humanitarian goals or interests in business and trade (Iraq). (Thank you to Brookings Foreign Policy for starting to follow PITAPOLICY on Twitter!) The first discussion emphasized how diplomacy … Continue reading

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Filed under Interests, PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics), Politics, Uncategorized

Future of US-#Libya Relations Discussion at The Atlantic Council @ACMideast

Dear Pita-consumers, Apologies for not posting yesterday like we always do on Wednesdays.  We experienced some technical difficulties that are now fixed.  We will share what we heard at the one year reflection on Libya event from Tuesday, September 10th … Continue reading

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Playing Poker in #Syria-Part 2

Earlier Sunday morning, Lebanese newspaper Al-Nahar offered this headline: “Assad charts escape to Russia via Tartus to Lebanon.  Uhhh…great if that happens before Syria strike decisions become irreversible. Before the G-20 Summit, Syria was not at the top of the … Continue reading

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Playing Poker in Syria

Dear Pita-consumers~ The United States’ Intelligence officials say that they are in the process of showing all their cards in a high-stakes poker game.  It’s high-stakes not because over 100,000 Syrians have been killed…but because a smaller number have been … Continue reading

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Will New Redline Include Number of UN investigators or Relief Workers Killed?

Greetings Pitaconsumers: On August 23rd, we crossed the 1 millionth #refugee child mark regarding the Syria crisis.  The ‘We’ implies that we acknowledge that we  still participate in the international community even though 3 of the Arab League state members, … Continue reading

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Syria: Cash Flow Problems for “Mayor of Damascus” #SyriaCrisis

Syria is overwhelmed with other economic challenges–apart from the serious human rights abuses, EU & US sanctions, and refugee crisis produced in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey.  Prior to the March 15th Day of Rage events in Syria, the Syrian … Continue reading

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Filed under Analysis, Interests, PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics), Politics, Technology

How Did Ramadan Influence Hunger Conversation? Promote the Spirit of Global Development?

Dear Pitaconsumers, For those of you who celebrated the end of Ramadan on Eid Al-Fitr: a belated Eid Mabrook and Greetings to you all.  We at PITAPOLICY recognize that this is among the most blessed months for those who follow … Continue reading

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Social Safety Nets: How Cash Subsidies May Serve as a Social Intervention #Tunisia

Another version of this article “Driving their Own Destiny” appeared in The Majalla for the SIROCCO blog.  Sirocco Blog is inspired by the Mediterranean wind whipped up in the Sahara and blown across the Maghreb region. In North Africa, it … Continue reading

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Obama Worries Over Egypt: US Reviews Law in Providing AID/Assistance

 June 30th-Tamarod Movement (Live-Blog on PITAPOLICY)  The U.S. provides about 1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt in addition to Development Assistance (1.5 billion in total).  Given Egypt’s military intervention to remove Mohammed Morsi, former President from the Freedom & … Continue reading

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Roadmaps & Zig-zag Roads: How do you “Historicize” a Revolution’s Democratic Process?

Legitimate grievances clash with legitimate electoral process: #Tamarod Movement in #Egypt Symbolizes Split Response: Prior to June 30th, the Tamarod movement obtained 22 million signatures to represent disapproval of former President Morsi. Tamarod organized a variety of people to remove … Continue reading

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Filed under Analysis, Interests, PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics), Politics