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Middle East/North Africa Security

Will Saudi Arabia join Iran in a nuclear weapons race?

U.S. President Obama is actively pushing for a deal with Iran that would allow it to maintain a limited nuclear programme. America’s allies in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia,

Middle East/North Africa Security

Yemen conflict reveals shortcomings of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy

With its vast oil riches and status as custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, Saudi Arabia has long practiced conservative and discreet foreign relations. But since his ascent to the throne, King Salman has

International Natural resources and energy

OPEC losing its ability to set global oil prices

The June OPEC meeting should not bring too many surprises, as the cartel’s unofficial leader, Saudi Arabia, will not support production cuts in order to boost falling prices, but will

Middle East/North Africa Security

Iran tests Saudi, American resolve in the Gulf of Aden

Last week, an Iranian humanitarian vessel departed from the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran, heading for the Houthi-held port of Hudaydah in Yemen. The manifest claimed a cargo of humanitarian

Middle East/North Africa Security

Will Jabhat al-Nusra eclipse Islamic State in Syria?

Jihadist groups have made some recent military gains against the regime forces in Syria. Both the Assad regime and Islamic State are under extreme political and economic pressure. Could Jabhat

Asia Pacific Natural resources and energy

Clean energy: China’s new strategy for growth

China has been investing large sums of money into clean energy – in fact, more than any other country in the world. The reasons for this are strategic, and can

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Saudi Arabia’s new foreign policy is assertive, but risky

When King Salman assumed the throne in January, most regional commentators expected continuity in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen shows, however, that Riyadh is

Economics Latin America

Interview: Iran’s involvement in Latin America a potential thorn for business

With a growing commercial, cultural, and diplomatic presence in Latin America, Iran poses a great political risk to the business community in the region. Iran’s commercial activities in the region, mostly

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Russia-Iran weapons sale a deal of mutual opportunity

The Kremlin’s decision last week to lift a ban on the sale of the S-300 air-defense missile system to Iran has sparked widespread political backlash from those who fear Iran’s growing

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Iran’s pilgrimage boycott threatens more than Saudi tourism revenues

Iran’s cancellation of pilgrimage flights to Saudi Arabia is an indication of deteriorating relations, using lucrative religious tourism as a foreign policy tool. The moves by Tehran come in wake of