Summary: talks need to resume to achieve a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East, and build on the recent thawing of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Summary: the renewal of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a win that takes down the temperature in the region and one that represents a setback for Netanyahu and a message for Biden.
Summary: with the JCPOA talks going nowhere and the Biden administration seemingly dismissive of the threat Iran poses to Middle East security whilst focussing on China and the war in Ukraine, the West may be sleepwalking towards a potentially disastrous conflagration in the region.
Summary: the output cuts agreed by OPEC+ on 5 October have reignited the oil bulls. However, there is good reason to continue to weigh the balance between upside and downside risks to the price of crude.
Summary: as the UK economic and political crisis winds through its extraordinary saga, Britain’s Gulf allies, like everyone else, is wondering who is in charge.
Summary: despite the optics and the apparent climbdown by President Biden amidst claims of a resentful and rupturing partnership, Chatham House’s Neil Quilliam argues that the relationship with Saudi Arabia though strained was never at serious risk.
Arab Digest is pleased to bring you our summer reading list, with all the books written by our newsletter and podcast contributors. From deep dive geopolitical analyses, to personal essays and reflections, from fiction to a delightful children’s book, it is a MENA festival of good reads. Today we feature seven books and tomorrow we will feature seven more. Enjoy!
Summary: both economics and politics point to Riyadh’s looking to keep OPEC+ to its July 2021 agreement for as long as possible.
Summary: with the passing of the ailing president of the UAE, Abu Dhabi’s crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed assumes a title that he has long held in every other aspect but name. In a smooth transition, all that remains is his decision about who to appoint to assume the position of crown prince.
Summary: despite the relative calm of the past month, energy markets remain mired in uncertainty with volatility only likely to increase.
