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Best Wishes to our Readers

05 January, 2010 07:47:00 Arezki Daoud

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Happy new year from all at The North Africa Journal

As we enter a new year and a new decade, problems facing North Africa, its neighbors and partners in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, Africa and the rest of the world abound. Recent issues that have surfaced in the region and outside are stark reminders of the challenges to face.

One problem with a substantial impact on the region is the financial woes facing the House of Dubai. North Africa is not spared from the necessary cuts in spending from Dubai companies as their country naturally restructures its debt. Sadly, this means billions of dollars of unfulfilled commitments and job creation that will never materialize. In this issue of The North Africa Journal we look at the implication of the Dubai financial debacle.

The attempt to down a US jetliner at the end of December 2009 is also a reminder of a world that remains very fragile from a security standpoint. In an upcoming analysis, The North Africa Journal will introduce the concept of the "Big Jelly Ball of Global Insecurity," which will argue that reducing security threats that are coming from all corners of the world will require more than guns. Most of the hot spots around the globe where terrorism or insurgencies originate are isolated and economically depressed regions. The Sahel, south of the North Africa region is one of them and a lot of attention is being given to it, essentially from a military angle. While that may reduce the risk of terrorism, only a broader approach to tackling the region will work that includes proper governance, better social and economic infrastructure, greater global integration, etc. And that also means finding a solution to the Western Sahara conflict as Morocco and Algeria need to combine their resources and coordinate their militaries to secure the region.

While less involved in the Sahel issue, Morocco is slowly moving into the debate. It has a stake and its American ally may force it to join the fight. As part of its move toward an involvement, the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI ordered a change of leadership in key ministries, which includes a new Interior Minister. In this issue Paul Wilson argues that while seemingly necessary from an administration standpoint, the change was motivated by much more than that and the Western Sahara conflict may be the biggest driver in the reshuffle.

While there is no shortage of challenges, as highlighted in this issue, we should remind ourselves that opportunities for improvements also exist. That's where we need to focus our energy. Speaking of energy, various initiatives seem to gain interest and traction in the region. The so-called Desertec project pushed by the Germans is aimed at harnessing solar energy from the Sahara to power European households and businesses. Competing with this project are the French who are keener on promoting nuclear energy.

Finally, I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for reading The North Africa Journal. To our faithful readers, a million thanks for your support. To our occasional readers, please don’t hesitate to come back whenever you’d like to read thought-provoking ideas. We certainly enjoy sharing provocative thoughts and we’d love to hear yours as well.

For our paying subscribers and supporters, please follow this link to download or read the latest content online: CLICK HERE.

For our free eLetter subscribers, we propose the following:

- Deja-Vu in Tripoli, by Alessandro Bruno

-Top 10 Predictions for the North African Wireless and Telecom Markets in 2010, by Julien Blin

- Libya’s Billions in Search of Projects

Let me also wish you happy and healthy New Year on behalf on all of those collaborate with the Journal, near or far.

Arezki Daoud
daoud@north-africa.com

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