Summary: Trump’s granting Morocco’s claim to the Western Sahara looked a clever stroke and a big win for Israel but the road to final diplomatic recognition has hit a bump or two.
Summary: Dubai has made the sale and consumption of alcohol easier and cheaper as it bids to retain top place in the Gulf tourism sector even as Mohammed bin Salman pours billions into developing a sector that to thrive requires that which is forbidden in his kingdom: the elixir of alcohol.
Summary: a full-fledged scandal has erupted in the European Parliament, one that involves EU politicians, a suitcase jammed with euros and, allegedly, Qatar.
Summary: Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter could call time, for the time being, on Gulf states using the platform to spread disinformation and attack critics and regional foes.
Summary: a full-fledged scandal has erupted in the European Parliament, one that involves EU politicians, a suitcase jammed with euros and, allegedly, Qatar.
Summary: Tunisians were not impressed with La Francophonie, a summit that celebrated the French connection but did little to help ordinary people so when Tunisia’s victory over France came in the World Cup, it was especially sweet.
Summary: a recent court case highlights the failure of a UK government programme that was aimed at bringing meaningful judicial and police reform to the Gulf state kingdom.
Summary: with word that two storied football franchises are for sale, Gulf bidders signal their interest; a game of double standards and hypocrisy plays on as Netanyahu assembles an extremist government; and an ageing superstar looks set to cash in on one more big payday.
Summary: after quadrupling their debt burden since 2014, the Gulf states are pausing new borrowing, thanks to reforms and the oil windfall. Oman and Qatar are even actively deleveraging. However, Bahrain and Sharjah remain in precarious positions.
Summary: the Gulf states are seeing Washington through far different eyes than Washington is seeing them. America is playing from an old playbook, without realising that the game has changed and nowhere is this more clearly highlighted than by Putin’s war against Ukraine.
