Search results

Saudi Arabia’s renewables drive will face challenges

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia has made significant progress since 2021 in developing its renewable energy sector. However, it contributes less than 5% to total electricity output. By end-2023…

Prospects for Iran in 2024

Location:

PROSPECTS 2024

The government will seek to boost turnout without opening up any more political or social space, and conservatives will maintain their thorough monopoly of power. However…

Diversifying Gulf economies will spur labour politics

Location:

GULF STATES

As GCC countries push for privatisation, while also nationalising the labour force, the prospect of citizens becoming increasingly willing to resort to strikes cannot be…

Bahrain will benefit from greater regional stability

Location:

BAHRAIN

The visit comes as the region is experiencing a period of diplomatic détente. Bahrain is taking advantage by slowly rebuilding ties with Iran and Syria. However, increasing…

Gulf states’ soft power policies will expand

Location:

GULF STATES

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pursued a multipolar global soft power policy since the early 2000s in order to boost their international reputations and attract investment…

Yemen’s anti-Huthi front is unlikely to regain force

Location:

YEMEN

The PLC is deeply divided, and economic conditions are deteriorating. There is no indication of improved governance in the southern areas of Yemen that it holds, despite the…

Gulf economies are on a stable track despite risks

Location:

GULF STATES

The IMF has revised downwards its forecast for Saudi GDP growth in 2024 to 2.7% but raised its 2025 forecast to 5.5%. This reflects a positive medium-term outlook for the Gulf…

Mideast countries will still value BRICS membership

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

This is the first time since 2010 that new members have been invited to join the group, signalling growing confidence among ‘middle powers’ and their intent to establish…

Middle East and North Africa water security in 2030

Location:

PROSPECTS 2030

Growing populations and climate change are putting additional pressure on the region’s water resources at a time when food security risks are rising in many of the MENA countries…

Saudi Aramco will seek to manage rapid industry change

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Yet this follows a government directive that the company cancel increases in its maximum sustainable capacity (MSC) of crude oil production from 12 million barrels per day (b/d…