Middle East/North Africa
Why Iraq is not a new Vietnam
It was fashionable in 2007 to label the Iraq War as the next Vietnam. It was easy to draw parallels – weak local allies, a post-invasion quagmire, insurgency, inability to
Compliance risks challenge business in the Middle East
Some markets have avoided rigid laws and regulations as a comparative advantage. But that has changed lately. Compliance has gained in importance worldwide as laws approved in one corner of the
4 challenges facing Egypt’s new president Sisi
Egypt’s newly elected President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, inherits a nation embattled by years of turmoil and instability. A bleak economic situation and continued crackdown on opposition and militant attacks are
Senegal sukuk bond signals wider African interest in Islamic finance
Senegal plans to issue an Islamic law compliant bond in 2014, building on momentum in sukuk issuance globally. Senegal’s government looks set to issue a type of Islamic bond, known
Broadband faces long last mile in Middle East and Africa
Big infrastructure projects are already in place to improve much of the Middle East and Africa’s expensive and slow Internet. For many countries, however, many issues lie ahead. Over the
Final agreement with Iran would boost trade but hurt China
With the introduction of a comprehensive agreement and the thawing of U.S-Iranian relations, a new era of regional dynamics will be ushered in. Some of these dynamics could adversely impact
Saudi foreign policy seems headed in the right direction
Despite a tumultuous year, the new changes in Saudi foreign policy are affecting the region for the better. For almost a year now, observers of Saudi Arabia have felt like
Syrian refugees pressure Lebanon’s fragile economy
Syrian refugees are spilling over into Lebanon, with over a million people having fled to the neighbouring country. A significant number anywhere, its impact is especially strong in tiny Lebanon, causing
Protests in Maan raise tensions in Jordan
While Jordan has managed to avoid the upheaval and violence experienced by other Middles Eastern nations in the wake of the Arab Spring, recent events in Maan are a red
Corruption still a major hurdle for Turkey
Recent manifestations of entrenched corruption in Turkey threaten to unsettle investor confidence. The outcome of the Turkish local elections on March 30 left many political observers somewhat uneasy about the prospects
