Tag "Syria"
Militaries will remain a powerful political and economic force in the Arab world
The MENA region and its militaries have had a tumultuous past. Militaries have held the prime position in the political and economic sphere in the region, and have asserted their own
GRI’s 2015 year in risk review
The year 2015 very much seemed to be a year of transition (and not generally for the better), filled with many surprises. The staying power of the Islamic State Perhaps
Refugee crisis holds economic benefits for Turkey
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees defined the Syrian crisis as the “biggest migration flow of history.” As a gateway to Europe, Turkey has been the first country to welcome Syrian
Terrorism, tourism, and Oman
Tourism in the greater Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been dampened by security concerns; what does this mean for Oman in 2016, especially in tandem with falling oil
Breaking down the Middle East’s sectarian tensions
The impact of rising Saudi-Iran tension has serious repercussions for peace talks. However, simple-minded sectarianism isn’t always so clear-cut when considering the region’s complex conflicts. One of the messages that
Saudi Arabia budget 2016: domestic and regional effects
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has released their budget forecasts for the next financial year, and the numbers are worrying. The oil-dependent economy has run a record deficit of around
Fighting ISIS may not be the core of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition
The Saudi Arabia-led coalition of 34 countries announced on Tuesday seems to represent a real change in the country’s foreign policy; however several factors lead to think it is another
New Russia sanctions a further blow to efforts to end Syria conflict
The new U.S and EU sanctions against Russia that came into effect last month are part of the ongoing response to the Russian annexation of parts of Ukraine and its support
Iran in 2016: Top 5 Risks and Landmarks
2015 saw dramatic changes in the formal relationship between Iran and the major world powers, yet the significance of signing the Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA) does not lie in the signing
Middle East and North Africa in 2015: A Year in Review
As the sun sets on 2015, the MENA region continues to suffer from political instability, regional insecurity, and a weak economic climate. It has been five years since the Arab
