USA Archives - Arab Digest

Western Sahara: a new envoy looks for solutions

21 October 202121 October 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAlgeria, Europe, Morocco, USA, Western Sahara

The UN’s Special Envoy has a deck that is already stacked against him and little chance that his efforts going forward will achieve a fair and balanced outcome.

Oil: A Reality Check

19 October 2021William LawArab Digest EmailEurope, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

Although decarbonisation does mean painful economic adjustments worldwide the current hype over the ‘energy crisis’ and consequent risk to the global economy is overblown.

Escaped Saudi businessman’s US lawsuit v MbS, MbN, Saudi Aramco

13 October 202113 October 2021William LawArab Digest EmailSaudi Arabia, USA

A court case in Pennsylvania puts the spotlight on the detained former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and reveals new information about Saudi connections to organised crime in the West.

A good day for Mohammed bin Salman

11 October 2021William LawArab Digest EmailBahrain, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA, Yemen

The Saudi crown prince had a brace of wins on 7 October with the purchase of NUFC and the ditching of a UNHRC investigation into war crimes in Yemen.

Teheran and Riyadh talk

7 October 2021William LawArab Digest EmailEurope, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

The Saudis and the Iranians, erstwhile enemies, now find themselves engaged in conversations aimed at de-escalating tensions with Iraq serving as the go-between.

Prince Turki and the Taliban

27 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, USA

Few outside Afghanistan know the Taliban as well as Prince Turki Al Faisal and at his recent book launch he called for both caution in dealing with them and compassion for the Afghan people they once again rule over.

Murdered intelligence officer triggers Somali political crisis

23 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAfghanistan, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, USA

The murder of a female intelligence officer has brought fragile Somalia to the brink of state collapse.

China headaches for Iran Deal

22 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailChina, GCC, Iran, Israel, JCPOA, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA

While the Gulf states watch with nervous apprehension as President Biden tries to revive the nuclear deal, China is shattering the sanctions and giving Iran an economic lifeline that could wreck hopes for a renewed JCPOA.

Al Qaeda: bloodied but still unvanquished in Yemen

21 September 20216 October 2021William LawArab Digest EmailAl Qaeda, Saudi Arabia, USA, Yemen

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, though seriously degraded by US drone strikes, remains a constant threat and one emboldened by the Taliban victory in Afghanistan.

The Campbells Are Coming

13 September 2021William LawArab Digest EmailGermany, Iraq, peak oil, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA

Three ‘events’ in the coming weeks stand to have a significant impact on the timing of peak oil, with profound implications for Saudi Arabia in particular.