The UAE and OPEC: go or stay?
Summary: the UAE is using the threat of departing OPEC to strengthen its negotiating position within the cartel while keeping the option of leaving on the table.
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Biden
This week in MENA
Summary: MbS in Paris, Qatar moves in on Man United, the UAE rolls out the tax welcome mat for Russia, Kais Saied plays poker with the IMF, Ben-Gvir’s unquenchable thirst and atrocities in Sudan.
Qatar and a secret meeting in Kandahar
Summary: a meeting shrouded in secrecy may move the Taliban away from their fanatical repression of women and girls.
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Covering up for Sisi
Summary: Western governments have a long history of covering up for Arab dictators. The latest Home Office information notes on Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood show a new twist in an old story.
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Of anniversaries and Palestine
Summary: a grim week concludes with air strikes on Gaza and rocket attacks on Israel; as the cycle of violence escalates it is worth noting significant anniversaries.
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The Pentagon Leaks and the Middle East
Summary: what is being called the worst leak of top secret documents since Wikileaks has caused concern in DC and provoked swift denials in Egypt, the UAE and Israel.
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MbS: diplomatic relations and the ayatollah he once called “Hitler”
Summary: the Saudi crown prince has reversed his policy on Iran in the vain hope that Tehran will help persuade Yemen’s Houthis to give up some of their demands at the negotiating table.
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World Bank clamps down on Tunisia
Summary: with the country’s economic crisis deepening and President Kais Saied continuing to chart an erratic and increasingly dictatorial course the World Bank lowers the boom.
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Haftar: the warlord rebounds
Summary: as Washington pushes forward on a UN plan for an election this year in Libya, the Biden administration once again dictates that personalities rather than the interests of the Libyan people will prevail.
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A whole lot of passenger planes
Summary: with Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a massive purchase of Boeing’s Dreamliner 787s, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman beckons to Washington that fraying diplomatic relations aside, it’s business as usual.
A whole lot of passenger planes Read More »