UAE Archives - Arab Digest

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.

Covid and MENA tourism

29 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailCovid-19, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE

Tourism is a crucial economic sector for MENA that has been ravaged by the Covid pandemic and recovery is still a long way off.

Oman: a Covid surge and other challenges

28 April 202128 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailCovid-19, Iran, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

The Gulf sultanate of Oman has seen a steady rise in pandemic numbers that, coupled with low oil prices, is presenting significant challenges.

More than a match

27 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailChampions League, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE

When Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City square off in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg 28 April rival heads of state in Doha and Abu Dhabi will watch with more than passing interest.

Is the Saudi intervention in Yemen about to end?

26 April 202126 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailCovid-19, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA, Yemen

The Saudis would like to find a path out of the Yemen war but the Houthi offensive in Marib tangles them ever deeper in a quagmire.

The UAE and China: a burgeoning relationship

19 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailChina, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

With the US pivoting to Asia and further disengaging from the Gulf, Abu Dhabi and the Chinese are enjoying a warm economic embrace.

Of pragmatism, bombs and human rights

15 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailChina, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

Joe Biden talked about taking away the free pass human rights abusers enjoyed with his White House predecessor but politics and pragmatism, rather than human rights prevail.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia: on the road to reconciliation

15 April 202115 April 2021Hugh MilesPodcastsBahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE

Arab Digest · Qatar and Saudi Arabia: on the road to reconciliation

Alleged coup attempt rocks Jordan

8 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailIsrael, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

King Abdullah is secure after his half-brother and former crown prince is detained along with other high level figures known to have close connections to Saudi Arabia, Israel and the UAE.

Regional security: how the GCC could play a role

7 April 2021William LawArab Digest EmailChina, GCC, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, UAE, USA, Yemen

Opportunity beckons for a MENA regional security initiative but it requires a leadership role from the GCC.