Lebanon (all aspects)

[davidbfpo]

Hat tip to FP's email on this deal:

The project is being entirely funded by Saudi Arabia, which is keen to see Lebanon’s Army defend its borders against Syria-based jihadi groups, particularly ISIS and the Nusra Front, Syria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.

France is expected to deliver 250 combat and transport vehicles, seven Cougar attack helicopters, three small corvette warships and a range of surveillance and communication equipment over four years as part of the $3 billion modernization program. The contract also promises seven years of training for the 70,000-strong Lebanese Army and 10 years of equipment maintenance.

Link:http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Leb...ror-fight.ashx

[davidbfpo]

From Australia's Lowy Institute, the author I note has been "on the ground" and she starts:

Islamic extremism in Palestinian communities in the Middle East is emerging as a significant security threat. These relatively ungoverned spaces are proving vulnerable to radical takeover from without and within.

Link:http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/...xtremism.aspx?