Tag "Yemen"
Saudi-Iranian ‘cold war’ uses sectarianism as tool
Following Saudi Arabia’s execution of the Shiite Cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, observers of the Middle East are pondering a multitude of eventualities, many of which point to a hot conflict between
Yemen’s civil war risks southern secession
Yemen’s ongoing civil war is often represented as being purely about control over the country. However, due to historical grievances, much of the South would prefer outright secession. As the
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
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
Israeli-Palestinian tensions threaten regional overspill
As violence surrounding worshipping status at the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary grows, what are the chances of a regional conflict escalation and how can we understand the current tensions? The tragic
Economics of the AK-47
In this era of modern technology and cutting edge military equipment, the Russian assault rifle remains ubiquitous in today’s war zones. What is the reason behind the AK-47’s continued use and economic impact
Women rise up in the Middle East
As the world focuses on the region’s violent geopolitical struggles, a quiet revolution is taking place. The women of the Middle East are making remarkable gains in politics and businesses.
Saudi Arabia’s leadership faces coming crises
A shifting geopolitical environment in the Middle East and continued low oil prices will present a significant challenge for Saudi Arabia’s leadership. Saudi Arabia is facing financial challenges which, over
