Middle East/North Africa
The Growing Risk of Saudi Arms Trade
Saudia Arabia is undergoing a difficult public relations crises after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, affecting its arms trade with allies.
Iran partially exits the nuclear deal: is war on the horizon?
President Trump’s most recent sanctions and deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf has raised fears about another US war in the Middle-East. Iran’s decision to cease compliance with key parts of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) intensifies anxieties.
Syria’s Idlib: Limited offensive to enforce Sochi Accord
Bashar al-Assad’s regime started an aerial assault against rebel-held areas in northwest Syria in late April. The purpose of the offensive is capturing the M4 and M5 highways from Aleppo to Hama and Lattakia, as agreed in Sochi.
Al-Bashir is planning his own exit
Omar Al-Bashir, the embattled president, will step down from power by appointing a successor who will not hand him over to the International Criminal Court. However, his selection will result in a military takeover that will remove the entire regime from power.
Energy and security in the Eastern Mediterranean
The discovery of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean’s Levant Basin has created new regional security dynamics. The quest for power and influence hinders energy and economic cooperation.
Turkey: Impact of the Syrian war’s next stage
The Syrian Civil war is nearing its end game. This article, part five of a five-part series on the regional impact of this news, examines the current economic obstacles and opportunities for Turkey.
Kurdistan Region stalls government formation
The last several years have been turbulent for the oil-rich Kurdistan Region. The local elections in September represented an opportunity to introduce some stability.
Sudan in state of emergency
Sudan is facing social unrest over the rule of President Bashir. This will cause socio-economic and political uncertainty over short to medium term.
Lebanon: Impact of the Syrian war’s next stage
The Syrian Civil war is nearing its end game. This article, part four of a five-part series on the regional impact of this news, examines the current economic obstacles and opportunities for Lebanon.
Qatar: Forging Alliances in Lebanon
Following the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in Lebanon, Qatar announced its plans to buy $500 million in government bonds to support Lebanon’s struggling economy. However, this is likely a strategic move for Qatar to increase its soft power in the country, as Qatar seeks to challenge the influence of Lebanon’s long-time financial patron, Saudi Arabia.
