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Iran-Russia rivalry for Syrian economic sway may grow

Location:

IRAN/SYRIA

Iran has been looking to build up its business ties on the ground in Syria, and views access to trade infrastructure as a key component in its plans for an integrated trade and…

A Saudi Arabia-Iran deal will boost security and trade

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA/IRAN

Relations between Riyadh and Tehran have long been characterised by political tension, and episodes of proxy military confrontation. Ties reached their nadir in 2016 when…

Russia will exploit tension but will not encourage war

Location:

RUSSIA

Russia maintains a delicate balance in the Middle East, preserving a close relationship with Shia-majority Iran and a security presence in neighbouring Syria while seeking…

Lebanese economy on course for muted recovery in 2015

Location:

LEBANON

According to its Global Economic Prospects report, the bank forecast a modest increase in GDP growth in 2015 to 2.0%, up from an estimated 1.5% in 2014. Since 2011, the economy…

Syria sees an energy deficit despite military advances

Location:

SYRIA

The Syrian army and its allies have driven IS out of most of the region from Homs to the edge of the Euphrates valley, recapturing several gas fields. This has yielded a marginal…

Prospects for Syria to end-2019

Location:

PROSPECTS H2 2019

Prospects for Syria to end-2019

Russian-Saudi interests too divergent for partnership

Location:

RUSSIA/SAUDI ARABIA

King Salman bin Abdulaziz's visit to Moscow in October was hailed as a major step forward in relations, but many of the agreements signed were preliminary or simply confirmation…

Beirut may miss out on brighter growth prospects

Location:

LEBANON

The wage scale law was cast into question when a contentious tax hike law intended to fund it was annulled by the Constitutional Council on September 22, partly on the grounds…

Gulf states have limited ability to pressure Russia

Location:

GULF STATES

Russia's deepening military intervention in Syria has lent renewed urgency to Qatari and Saudi efforts to channel weaponry and support to Syria's faltering rebel groups.

Foreign powers jockey for position in Libya

Location:

LIBYA

The outcomes of these meetings may indicate the dynamics of external states' future behaviour, which will shape domestic developments until elections are held on December 24.