Tag "Kuwait"
Kuwait – Will the Kuwaiti Emir’s Death Bring More Turbulent Relations to the Middle East?
Kuwait’s Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah’s death on the 29th of October 2020 raises questions about the future of diplomatic talks within the region. Celebrated as the “Wise Man of the Region”, Sheik Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah was pivotal in mediating amid countries in the Middle East. One week before his death, US President Donald Trump gave Sheik Sabah a prestigious award honoring his “tireless mediation of disputes” which re-emphasized the important role Sheik Sabah plays in mediation efforts within the Middle Eastern region.
What is the most likely outcome of the Qatar crisis?
The diplomatic crisis resulting from sanctions against Qatar raises fresh questions concerning the political and economic environment in the Gulf.
Security challenges in the Turkish-Syrian borderlands
The recent spate of ISIS-inspired terror attacks in Turkey and subsequent attempted coup, combined with foreign fighters’ incessant attempts to enter ISIS’s shrinking territory have kept Turkey’s border with Syria,
Lebanon suffers from Saudi-Iranian rivalry
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are palpable: the use of Lebanon for proxy power plays has some serious repercussions particularly in relation to Saudi-aligned Gulf States. Lebanon boasts an
Five trends that will shape the MENA in 2016
Torn between conflicts and insurgency, the Middle East has witnessed a rise of non-state-actors at the expense of states weakened by a struggling global economy and social changes that exceed
For Saudi Arabia’s women, change is a gradual and cautious process
Historically, the public role for women has been on the margins in Saudi Arabia. But after decades of gradual change, exciting things are starting to happen. If things carry on in
IMF urges Islamic finance to unlock its full potential
Islamic banking has the potential to promote financial stability, boost SMEs, and contribute to greater financial inclusion. But the IMF recently stressed on the numerous challenges the industry has to
Risks of Climate Change in MENA
Climate change poses grave macroeconomic risks for nations and regional financial firms in MENA. Greater investment in sustainable infrastructure and awareness of climate issues will be imperative to mitigate the
Algeria feels squeezed by falling energy prices
With an economy heavily dependent on oil, Algeria has launched a series of measures to secure falling revenues. Within OPEC, Algeria, perhaps more than other of its oil-producing members, is