Now thrive the armourers Arms sales in the Middle East are rarely out of the news. A recent example is a Reuters report that Iran is selling Iraq arms worth $195 million, contrary to the UN embargo on weapons sales by Iran.
The Dubai miracle: visible means of support The Dubai government has signed an agreement to roll over $20 billion in debt extended by the Abu Dhabi government and the Central Bank of the UAE.
Obesity Obesity is a worldwide problem, associated with increased wealth, changes in modern diet and lack of physical activity in a modern lifestyle.
More on the GCC: Kuwait First we thank a former diplomat who served in Qatar for following comment on the article “Break Up in the Gulf” by Bilal Saab circulated in our posting of 9 March:
Women The status, problems and progress of women in the Arab world are constantly in the media, rightly so.
The GCC falls out The decision by Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Bahrain to withdraw ambassadors from Doha in protest at Qatari policy came as a surprise, although there has been friction between the Emirates and Qatar as discussed in our posting of 4 March.
Muslim Brotherhood: Gaza, Jordan and the Gulf Egyptian outlawing of the Muslim Brotherhood has a ripple effect throughout the region.
Libya: the coup that never was On 14 February General Khalifa Hafter announced a coup d’état on the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV, which added that communications and the internet had been cut in Tripoli (which was not the case).
The Gulf: repression and twitter The pattern of life in the Gulf states has not been greatly changed by the Arab spring and its aftermath.
Muslim Brotherhood: 30 convicted in the UAE 20 Egyptians and 10 Emiratis have been given jail sentences of up to 5 years in the Emirates for establishing a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.
