Plans for Aramco IPO beset with difficulties. MBS appoints a new broom.
Articles tagged: ‘China’
Gulf security patrols – Britain jumps ship
Posted onCompeting ideas for increased security in the Gulf “tinderbox”. UK under Johnson backs the US. Legal considerations.
UAE – after Yemen
Posted onMore on the UAE drawdown from Yemen, and UAE objectives and policy.
Arms sales to Saudi Arabia questioned
Posted onArms sales to Saudi Arabia by US, UK and France criticised, but governments undeterred. Missiles/nuclear.
Sudan – turn for the worse
Posted onSudan – 60 demonstrators killed, talks between the military and the protesters stalled.
Donald Trump, the Middle East and the 2020 election
Posted onThe US President’s re-election calculus stands to be more important in determining American policy in the Middle East than the views of any number of advisors and US allies.
Oil: Reviving the ‘POTUS Premium’?
Posted onThe decision not to extend waivers on buying Iranian oil further underlines the Trump Administration’s determination to continue to hit Tehran hard, even at the risk of damage to other important issues, both domestic and international.
Trump recognises Israeli annexation of Golan
Posted onTrump announces a U-turn on the Golan Heights. General condemnation. A boost for Netanyahu’s election prospects.
Oil: The “Donald Dip”
Posted onSaudi Arabia may or may not continue to bend to President Donald Trump’s wish to see the oil price go lower still. But there are good reasons to suppose that, whatever Opec decides on 6 December, the trend for the next few weeks at least may be upwards.
Mawlid
Posted onMawlid popular holiday, widely celebrated by both Sunnis and Shia but condemned by some including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Prophet’s Birthday (al-Mawlid al-Nabawi, or simply Mawlid) is celebrated in the month of Rabi’ al-awwal, by Sunnis usually on the 12th and by Shia on the 17th. There is some flexibility as the precise date is not recorded. This year 12 Rabi’ al-awwal coincides with 21 November, and in most Arab and Muslim states Mawlid will be today or tomorrow, though the celebrations begin the night before. In some countries …