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Damascus will likely fail to stem currency collapse

Location:

SYRIA

The Syrian pound’s weakening beyond 1,000 to the dollar on the parallel market has exposed the chronic weakness of the economy, even as President Bashar al-Assad’s forces move…

Iran will struggle to maintain its position in Syria

Location:

IRAN

Russia is encouraging a rapprochement between Turkey and Syria that does not explicitly include Iran, a key economic and military backer of the Damascus government. Tehran worries…

Prospects for the Levant in 2021

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PROSPECTS 2021

However, in 2021 they will all face two common challenges: recovering from major economic shocks in 2020 and reorienting to US policy shifts under a Biden presidency. From…

Syria will struggle more than Iraq with reconstruction

Location:

IRAQ/SYRIA

Iraq and Syria -- neighbours with many economic, political and social connections -- have both been subject to years of destructive armed conflict. They are now looking to…

Syrian currency collapse will drive food shortages

Location:

SYRIA

The Syrian pound's exchange rate fell by 40% in the first week of June before recovering slightly. After nine years of ruinous conflict, the struggling economy has been brought to…

Lebanese government will likely limp toward reform

Location:

LEBANON

The cabinet held its first meeting on February 2, ending 254 days of political deadlock that threatened to bring down the economy.

Lebanese port blast will reverberate across Syria

Location:

SYRIA

The damage to the port impairs one of the main supply routes for goods into and across Syria, and the aggravation of Lebanon’s economic crisis further harms prospects for Syrians…

Blowback may eventually restrain Gulf interventionism

Location:

GULF STATES

The wealthier Gulf states have become increasingly active in nearby countries over the past decade. They have intervened significantly across the Middle East and Horn of Africa…