The Wall Street Journal Obama Reconciles With Egypt Roll out a map of the Middle East these days, close your eyes, and place a finger down on any spot. You're likely to land on some area of turmoil encouraged by the Obama Administration's blunders. So we're relieved to be able to praise President Obama this week for moving to repair relations with Egypt. Ending the embargo will help to improve ties with an ally who has contributed to stability in a region roiled by Shiite and Sunni Muslim extremists. The U.S. arms blockade was merely pushing Mr. Sisi and the generals toward closer ties with Russia or China, which would be only too happy to replace the U.S. as arms supplier. Read more: http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-reconciles-with-egypt-1428100080 The Washington Post Obama embraces the Nixon Doctrine in Egypt Is Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi really an ally in our ongoing struggle against Islamic jihadism and terrorism in the Middle East? That seems to be the prevailing view these days. The Wall Street Journal's Bret Stephens called him a "geopolitical godsend." The Post's George F. Will suggested on Fox News that he be given a Nobel Prize. Last week, President Obama gave Sissi the ultimate benediction, restoring the military assistance that had been suspended. The decision came just days after Egypt announced it was sending four warships to aid Saudi Arabia in the fight against Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. So Obama's decision looks like a reward for Egypt's enlisting in that fight. Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obama-embraces-the-nixon-doctrine-in-egypt/2015/04/03/597b3be0-d986-11e4-ba28-f2a685dc7f89_story.html ABC News Egypt's Islamic State Branch Claims Deadly Sinai Attack The Islamic State's branch in Egypt has claimed responsibility for a wave of deadly attacks that killed 15 Egyptian soldiers and three civilians the previous day in volatile northern Sinai. A statement posted Friday on a militant website associated with the group, known as "Sinai Province," says its fighters attacked seven checkpoints, killing "dozens of soldiers" on a main road in the Sinai Peninsula leading to the border with Gaza Strip. Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/egypts-islamic-state-branch-claims-deadly-sinai-attack-30082295 Xinhua S. Africa, Egypt press for UN reform: Zuma South Africa and Egypt have agreed to press for the reform of United Nations (UN), the UN Security Council in particular, South African President Jacob Zuma said on Friday. "South Africa and Egypt have agreed to engage on the matter of UN Reform in line with 'Africa's position', as contained in the Ezulwini Consensus," Zuma said upon return from a two-day working visit to Egypt. The Ezulwini Consensus is a position on international relations and reform of the United Nations, agreed by several African governments. Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-04/03/c_134123903.htm Anadolu Agency Egypt announces new oil discovery in W. Desert Egypt on Friday announced a new petroleum discovery in the Western Desert region, which, officials estimate, could eventually yield up to 1,358 barrels of oil a day. Taher al-Zafzaf, head of Egypt's state-run General Petroleum Authority, said that excavation work had begun in the Western Desert's Abu Senan region in late January. "Electrical stability tests in Abu Senan have revealed the presence of hydrocarbon-rich layers," he added. Read more: http://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/488309--egypt-announces-new-oil-discovery-in-w-desert
