William Law, Author at Arab Digest

Murdered intelligence officer triggers Somali political crisis

23 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, USA

The murder of a female intelligence officer has brought fragile Somalia to the brink of state collapse.

China headaches for Iran Deal

22 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailChina, GCC, Iran, Israel, JCPOA, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

While the Gulf states watch with nervous apprehension as President Biden tries to revive the nuclear deal, China is shattering the sanctions and giving Iran an economic lifeline that could wreck hopes for a renewed JCPOA.

Al Qaeda: bloodied but still unvanquished in Yemen

21 September 202121 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAl Qaeda, Saudi Arabia, USA, Yemen

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, though seriously degraded by US drone strikes, remains a constant threat and one emboldened by the Taliban victory in Afghanistan.

Ozymandias

20 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailEgypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi like the ancient pharaoh made infamous in Shelley’s poem, has pretensions to greatness that are driving his country down a ruinous road.

Mauritania and the terror threat

16 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailEurope, France, Mauritania, Sahel

As the Sahel sees increasing jihadist insurgencies, Mauritania remains free of the scourge of terrorism…for now.

Tunisia: dictatorship or democracy?

15 September 202115 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailTunisia

Tunisia’s president has succeeded by presenting the image of a humble man fighting corruption but there is growing risk that the attraction to power will cause him to lead his country back down the road of dictatorship.

Morocco: economic picture brightens

14 September 202114 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailCovid-19, Morocco

Morocco has faced tough economic challenges with COVID taking a toll but government action helped limit the damage as a billionaire gets the nod from King Mohammed VI to serve as his next PM.

The Campbells Are Coming

13 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailGermany, Iraq, peak oil, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA

Three ‘events’ in the coming weeks stand to have a significant impact on the timing of peak oil, with profound implications for Saudi Arabia in particular.

9/11: Twenty Years On

9 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, USA

America’s debacle in Afghanistan began with a surprise attack that launched a never-ending ‘war on terror’.

A Yemen roadmap for Hans Grundberg

8 September 20218 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Europe, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA, Yemen

The new UN special envoy has a daunting task trying to end the war; a good start is to pressure to replace UNSC 2216.