Global Security Studies Practicum

Jerusalem- Palestinian leaders will release Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit , in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Shalit will return in a few days, after the Cabinet voted 26-3 in favor of the swap brokered by Egyptian mediators. The deal calls for the release of 450 prisoners, followed by 550 in two months and 27 additional women. Imprisoned Palestinian lawmaker Marwan Barghouti is not among the prisoners scheduled to be released. Shalit was captured more than five years ago after Palestinian forces tunneled into the Jewish state and attacked an Israeli military post. Shalit was 19 years old and is expected to be returned healthy and in good physical condition. Source: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/11/world/meast/israel-shalit-release/index.html Reliability: 9

5 October 2011 Cairo- US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta was in Cairo on Tuesday in an effort to defuse tensions between Egypt and Israel that have risen since the end of Hosni Mubarak’s rule. Panetta met with the country’s military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and strongly urged him to provide better security in the Sinai Peninsula due to Israel’s claim that an attack on its south originated from there. Panetta feels that any tension or friction within that area could create real problems for the region. Panetta also states that the need for better communication between both countries will help defuse the tensions between Israel and Egypt. Previously a peace treaty had bound Egypt and Israel since 1979 and tension has built up drastically since Mubarak’s was overthrown. The tension caused by Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. Panetta is also requesting the release of the alleged Israeli spy, Ilan Grapel , although he is not involved with the negotiations personall...

Turkey and its neighbors are in a fierce tussle about who owns the right to drill for newly discovered natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean sea bed. Both Turkey and Cyprus lay claim to the offshore zone believed to hold about a trillion cubic meters of hydrocarbons. The natural gas is estimated to be worth over several billions of dollars and whoever comes out on top will control the energy future of Europe. The row flared-up when Cyprus allowed a U.S company to start drilling off its southern shores last month and Turkey retaliated by sending a seismic vessel to the same area accompanied by gun boats. Israel which is conducting drills in the area sent fighter jets to buzz the Turkish vessels and Turkey retaliated by scrambling its own fighter jets. Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan has characterized the Israeli and Cyprus drilling as “madness” and denounced their activities in the area.  Turkish troops invaded Cyprus in 1974 to quell a coup orchestrated by Greece. T...