Summary: a leading security expert explains the strategy behind President Biden’s ongoing negotiations to have Saudi Arabia recognise Israel and argues that with time on the Saudi side a deal is not coming anytime soon.
Summary: Beijing’s overarching desire to defend its governance model domestically, especially at a time when it is facing sustained economic headwinds, calls into question the benefits of BRICS membership for traditional US allies in the MENA region.
Summary: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman continues his rehabilitation drive with diplomatic initiatives and further eye-wateringly expensive forays into the world of professional sport.
Summary: a 15 percent hike in the price of Brent since early July has re-energised the oil bulls. However, there remain forces pulling in both directions suggesting that a price in the US$80-90pb range at year-end is still more likely than US$100.
Summary: historically, forecasts of OPEC’s imminent demise have proved well wide of the mark. However, keeping the cartel together as we enter an era of permanently declining demand may prove much more challenging.
Summary: after eight months in office the Iraqi prime minister can point to a period of calm, increased FDI and a building boom in Baghdad as signs that his country is moving in the right direction but many Iraqis do not share his optimism.
Summary: the digital transition is causing major changes across the world, from the adoption of AI chatbots like ChatGPT to major investments in IT infrastructure and fibre-optic cables. The Middle East is scrambling to keep up with the latest developments.
Summary: despite what was, by all accounts, a challenging discussion at the OPEC+ table last weekend, Saudi Arabia appears to have engineered a pragmatic outcome consistent with its drive to stabilise the oil price.
Summary: despite what was, by all accounts, a challenging discussion at the OPEC+ table last weekend, Saudi Arabia appears to have engineered a pragmatic outcome consistent with its drive to stabilise the oil price.
Summary: OPEC+ faces a conundrum over the extent to which the slide in the price of oil since the 3 April cut in output reflects real substance or an unsubstantiated shift in market sentiment.
