New Water and Power Projects Emerging

In the Southeast Asian and North African Realm, another big issue has been the scarcity of water. The population keeps growing in this part of the realm but the amount of resources have become limited. It has become the duty of many countries in this region to implement projects that will provide more available resources because at this rate the problem can get worse with water completely running out. It has been determined that by the end of this year the Middle East will start multiple energy projects in order to advance its water and power systems. It is projected to be a total of 97 new projects which will cost $32.7 billion dollars. Countries that have initiated their own projects are the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. This year the United Arab Emirates will start to build a Noor 1 Solar Power Plant costing $740 million and will also start the second phase of the Emal Power Plant which is also costing $580 million. They also have multiple smaller projects costing a total of $1.5 billion. Kuwait is starting multiple small projects also totaling $4.2 billion and also creating the Al Zour North Independent Water and Power Plant. Saudi Arabia is spending a total of $8.8 billion on their small projects and is also creating two power plants the Qurayyah Independent and the Shuaiba 2 Power, both costing a total of $3.2 million. These projects are planned to begin the end of this year. This is not only the plan for these particular countries but many other countries throughout this realm as water and power has become a major issue for this realm.

This is a great initiative of the Middle East because the lack of water and power in this realm has become a serious issue. It is commendable that some countries are trying to minimize or eliminate this problem before it gets worse.  This shows sustainability in the countries that are investing in these changes as it will allow them to become more stable in the future and will provide them with additional resources. It will also provide better lives for the current and future citizens of their country. If I lived in this particular part of the realm I would be happy to finally be blessed with more resources that have been limited for years.

Source: https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFPKeQeA3l1KSKa69SCcubBtnYdcW59a-5M0Ke0h9B1mcYQh__

Source:

http://www.prb.org/Publications/PolicyBriefs/FindingtheBalancePopulationandWaterScarcityintheMiddleEastandNorthAfrica.aspx 

http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Middle-East-to-Spend-32.7-Billion-on-New-Energy-Projects-this-Year.html 

Oil Production

Many locations throughout Southeast Asia and the North African realm, have economies that depend largely on oil production. Last month Iraq produced more than 3 million barrels a day, which surpassed last year’s average by 300,000 more per day. This increase was due to the opening of a new facility offshore in the Persian Gulf. Since the war in Iraq the production of oil has increased due to the efforts of the government and also its oil partners. They have been searching and fixing prior fields in order to obtain more resources and production. This has benefited Iraq largely as the cost of oil is at $90 per barrel, which creates revenue for Iraq of $100 billion a year. Most of this revenue goes to the government of Iraq.  Iraq has hopes of increasing their oil production more. Investors are wary of investing in the production of oil in this country as the country is still progressing. There have been issues due to lack of security in this region as there have been attacks initiated on the pipelines. Another issue has been that Iraq has not created a law yet that would divide the wealth of the oil production among its citizens.  It is projected that the production of oil will progress but not at such an alarming rate. Iran on the other hand has decreased in oil production from an average of 3.6 million per day last year to last month being 2.9 million barrel per day. This has been a result of Iran’s nuclear program as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have placed sanctions on Iran by not allowing them to import oil to the west and has restricted the amount of oil that is being sent to Asia. It has been determined that even if those sanctions get removed it will take Iran some time to recuperate from its losses but it seems that Iran has no intentions in stopping its nuclear program.

Source: http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLUyJrwMPMPUQmw5dgKnkdo7MtFVHDzsmkhSdACfQHbkthRKhk

The increase of oil production in Iraq is great but it seems that this is a major result of Iran’s sanctions. Even though Iraq is benefiting from this and it is allowing for their economy to prosper while on the other hand it is affecting Iran’s drastically. This is allowing for one economy to become more sustainable than the other. It is understandable that the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union only want the best for Iran by implementing these sanctions in order for the country to become more sustainable. However, at the same time it is hurting Iran because when these sanctions are lifted it will take sometime for Iran’s economy to become as sustainable as it once was. If I lived in this realm I would be glad that Iraq is progressing after the war that just occurred and also that Iran is being forced to change as their nuclear program has been affecting this particular realm for sometime now along with the rest of the world.

Source: 

http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/10/news/economy/iraq-oil/index.html 

Effects of Syria's Crisis

As problems arise in Syria, more citizens of the country are fleeing to other neighboring countries as fugitives. The camp of Al-Zaatri, located in the eastern part of Jordan, has received over 2,000 refugees from Syria in just one day. The camp is providing Syrians a safe place to stay away from all the conflict and is supervised by Jordanian security officials making sure that refugees do not escape into the country of Jordan to find a permanent place to stay. Since last March over 150,000 citizens of Syria have evacuated from Syria to Jordan. The camp of Al-Zaatri has a capacity of taking in about 120,000 more Syrians into Jordan. The country of Jordan and other neighboring countries around Syria are being affected by this crisis as they have underdeveloped economies with not enough resource. At the same time having problems of their own, especially Jordan as they do not only offer refugee assistance to Syrians but to Palestinians and Iraqis. Syria has cracked down in preventing its citizens from migrating to neighboring countries but Syrians keep escaping. Jordanians do assist in helping Syrians cross the border by waiting for them at the border and taking them to this refugee camp. The involvement of Jordan in bringing these Syrians to safety could start problems with the Syrian Regime. The United Nations is working hard in improving the conditions in the camps by providing more resources and stability to the refugees. This temporary displacement is a growing issue as many fear it may be permanent due to the fact there is no progress for change in Syria.

Source: http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/images/08/14/t1largsyriarefugeecamp.jpg

This problem is very sad for Syrians as many are forced to move for the safety of themselves and their families. They are being displaced into other areas with no hopes or desires to return home due to instability, also selfishness of the Syrian Regime by not seeing how this crisis is affecting everyone. If I lived in this country, I also would be escaping to safety to these neighboring countries. This issue needs to become more oppressed by the United Nations in finding a solution to stop this crisis in Syria before it becomes a larger issue within this realm. What is occurring in Syria is not sustainable; as the government of Syria is not supplying the support its citizens need which as a result they are fleeing. In order to stop this and become a more sustainable government they would need to stop this crisis and focus more on its citizens well being.

Source:

http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/15/for-syrias-neighbors-impact-is-growing-with-each-refugee/?hpt=wo_c1

Islamic and sexist influence on Tunisia

Islam is a major religion of North Africa and the Southwest Asia realm. This religion has united many countries that reside in this realm. At the same time, many governments have been influenced by Islamic traditions and have based laws and regulations around it. The questionthat arises are the followers of this religion in this realm actually religious or are they just using this religion to manipulate those that take the religion serious? The Islamic tradition has also created uprisings in this particular realm due to others not being as conservative.

Recently this has been seen in the country of Tunisia where two women who participated in the Olympics were being criticized by Islamic extremist, one of which is the group Ansar al Chariaa. Olympic runner Habiba Ghribi was criticized for wearing an exposed uniform and Olympic swimmer Oussama Mellouli was criticized for drinking juice during Ramadan before a meet. Habiba Ghirbi won a silver medal and Oussama Mellouli won both the gold and bronze medal. These extremists believe these Olympic medalists are being disrespectful to the Islamic religion. Both of these women were only trying to represent their country but in return they are being condemned for their actions, which were innocent. Their country has shown no support or any acknowledgement for their amazing performance in the Olympics. Tunisia has been experiencing many uprising as a result of inequality towards women in this country.  Yesterday, Monday, August 14 citizens of this country protest against the government changing the constitution in order to belittle women even more. This is a common issue within this realm as men are seen and believed to be superior compared to women.

This issue in Tunisia is sad, as these uprisings are just a cry for equality and respect. This should be a basic right for everyone in the world. The women that competed in the Olympics had no intentions of degrading their country or religion. They just wanted to make their country proud, as there are many countries that do not win medals or even get the chance to participate. If I lived in this country I would be upset because I am a female and would not like to be degraded like this. This issue is unsustainable, as women should not be treated like this and it is creating more problems as people are aware of their rights and will protest against inequality.

Source: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/62259000/jpg/_62259431_62258329.jpg

Source:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33747_162-57492866/tunisian-olympians-targeted-by-islamist-radicals-for-behavior-and-dress-deemed-un-islamic/

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/islamic-extremists-come-out-against-tunisian-athletes-081412

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19253289

Iran's Earthquake

This past Saturday, August 11th Iran suffered two earthquakes. The first one being a magnitude of 6.4 and the second one occurring eleven minutes later was a magnitude of 6.3. Both earthquakes occurred in the East Azarbaijan Province.  These two severe earthquakes have killed over 300 people and have injured over 3000. The most damages occurred in the cities of Ahar, Haris and Varzaqan; destroying more than seventy percent of these cities. These areas have experienced multiple aftershocks and the residents have been advised to sleep outside. Officials the next day, Sunday, after the incident cleared the search and rescue stating that everyone in the need of help had been rescued. This contradicts an article in the Asr-e Iran newspaper that 24 hours after the incident occurred said there were still citizens in need of aid and assistance. Many countries and organizations have tried to contribute and offer assistance to Iran. The country has denied the help and feels that there is no need for additional assistance as the country has everything under control, which many citizens feel is untrue and impossible. The president has also been criticized for leaving the country today Monday, August 13th to Saudi Arabia for a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation almost two days after the incident occurred. This is not seen as normal because leaders of an affected country after a natural disaster will visit the areas where the disaster occur in order to show support and empathy towards the residents affected. Residents of this particular area have also criticized that the nation’s capital government and the state-run television channel for not publicizing the damages as soon as they got wind of the information of the disaster in the East Azarbaijan Province than much later after the disaster.  

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/thumb/msid-15468384,width-400,height-300,resizemode-4/twin-earthquakes-hit-iran-227-killed-injured-1380.jpg

The aftermath of this disaster has shown that the government of Iran especially the president has no regard for his own country and the image it portrayed (him leaving the country barely two days after the incident) contributed to the notion that the president just does not care . This comes to prove that if Iran’s leader has no interest for its own country when will it ever have an interest in having a good relationship with the rest of the world. The way the president showed no compassion towards his own constituents raises the question of how a meeting in Saudi Arabia could be more important than the welfare of the citizens during their time of need. Also why did the Organization of Islamic Cooperation not cancel the meeting in respect of this disaster. This also shows the insensitivity of most of the realm as many of the nations within this organization are apart of the same realm as Iran. This country has very little hope for sustainability because the government does not take any responsibility for the general well being of its citizens or the country they live in.  Their actions during this disaster are only examples of the behavior they exhibit towards the citizens on a daily basis. If I was a resident of Iran I would be resentful because of the government's lack of action during the citizens time of need.   

Sources:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/13/iran-earthquakes-tehran-criticised-disaster

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/13/world/meast/iran-earthquakes/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57491778/iran-earthquake-death-toll-passes-300-day-after-search-for-survivors-called-off/

http://www.oic-oci.org/member_states.asp