Russia Archives - Arab Digest

Petroleum and the Prisoner’s Dilemma

12 July 2021William LawArab Digest EmailOpec, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

Summary: With the Saudis and the Emiratis falling out, speculation has increased that Opec’s days are numbered but there are persuasive short- and long-term reasons for the cartel to hang together.

A very public disagreement

6 July 2021William LawArab Digest EmailOpec, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are in the midst of a public feud over production cuts with the potential to wreck OPEC+ and set off an oil market pricing brawl.

Putin in MENA

5 July 20215 July 2021William LawArab Digest EmailLibya, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, USA

As uncertainty hovers around the Biden administration’s approach to the Middle East, Samuel Ramani, a non-resident fellow at Gulf International Forum reflects on Vladimir Putin’s MENA strategy. This is a transcript, edited for clarity and length, of a recent podcast conversation with Arab Digest editor William Law. The podcast is available here.

Business as usual

14 June 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAlgeria, Egypt, France, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Palestine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Yemen

Amidst continuing security concerns, conflict zones in MENA have assured that the region remains the globe’s top armaments importer.

Putin powers ahead in the Middle East

4 June 2021Hugh MilesPodcastsAfghanistan, Chechnya, Gaza, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Russia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Yemen

Arab Digest · Putin powers ahead in the Middle East

Will Libya’s transition sink or swim?

17 May 2021William LawArab Digest EmailEgypt, Europe, France, Libya, Russia, Turkey, UAE, USA

After months of negotiations a new Libyan government has emerged but massive corruption and personal ambitions may once again stymy efforts to rebuild a war-shattered country.

Libya: a new prime minister but an old script

7 May 2021Hugh MilesPodcastsAlgeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Maghreb, oil, Russia, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey

Arab Digest · Libya: a new prime minister but an old script

The Middle East’s Heroin Tracks

5 May 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Hezbollah, Iran, Iraq, IS, Jordan, Kurds, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE

Heroin mostly enters the Arab world from Afghanistan via Iran enroute to markets in Europe. Arab countries close to the main smuggling routes are the most impacted by the trade. The Syrian war has led traffickers to re-route heroin shipments via the Black Sea and Africa.

Stepping Stones to a Secure Middle East

26 March 2021Hugh MilesPodcastsIran, Iraq, Israel, oil, Opec, Palestine, Russia, Saudi, Syria, Turkey, USA

Arab Digest · Stepping Stones to a Secure Middle East

The Airwars Annual Report: Syria

2 March 2021William LawArab Digest EmailFrance, IS, Kurds, Russia, Syria, Turkey, UK, USA

With the publication of their annual report Airwars once again puts the focus on aerial warfare and artillery attacks on civilians whose death and injuries would otherwise go unacknowledged and unaccountable.