Saudi Arabia: SFO denies it is dropping GPT investigation

Britain’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has played down reports it is poised to drop an investigation into allegations of bribery made against EADS subsidiary GPT Special Project Management related to contracts in Saudi Arabia. On 25 April, investigative news website Exaronews.com quoted an SFO insider as saying the investigation was effectively already dead, and that SFO director David Green was working out how to manage the politically sensitive decision to drop it.

Saudi Arabia: Ad campaign against abuse of women

Saudi Arabia has launched its first advertising campaign against the abuse of women, with a striking poster of a women, in niqab, with one bruised eye. The damaged eye, peeping through the black fabric that covers all of her body and most of her face, is paired with the slogan: “What is hidden is greater – together, fighting violence against women”. A more idiomatic translation might be “the tip of the iceberg”; an English version of the poster read: “Some things can’t be covered, fighting women’s abuse together”.

UN torture expert’s visit cancelled – again

Bahrain has cancelled a visit by the UN special rapporteur on torture Juan Méndez, the second time it has called off his trip at short notice. Méndez was due to be in Bahrain from 8 to 15 May but, on 22 April, was handed a letter that said the National Dialogue was taking longer than envisaged, and that his visit could damage its chances of success.

Dos and Don’ts in the UAE

Following UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed’s state visit to Britain – overshadowed in the UK by allegations that three Britons were mistreated in UAE custody – the Foreign Office has issued an updated list of Dos and Don’ts in the UAE, intended to help Britons avoid conduct which “can lead to fines, imprisonment and deportation” – and make for the kind of uncomfortable politics London would rather avoid.

Concerns over health of Qatari emir fuel rumours he may abdicate

Qatar is awash with rumours about the health of Emir Sheikh Hamad, who is known to have kidney problems and has recently lost a lot of weight. The increasingly active role played by Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim has also fed speculation the emir may want to step down.

Saudi Arabia: Protocol chief removed

Chief of royal protocol Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al- Tobaishi was removed from his position on 3 May; his replacement as acting chief is Abdelaziz Al-Aqeeli. The official announcement did not use the usual euphemistic vocabulary ‘removed upon his request’; the absence of such language has attracted some attention from the Saudi public. Al-Tobaishi had held the position since 2005 when King Abdullah came to power.

Al Al-Sheikh expected to oversee reform of Saudi Capital Market Authority

Executives in Riyadh have been speculating about why Mohammed Bin Abdulmalik Al Al-Sheikh was named president of the Capital Market Authority, just months after he took a job in Washington. A likely explanation is concerns over the CMA relationship with the King Abdullah Financial District, and the desire to tighten stock exchange practices.

Qatar steadfast in its support for Islamist groups

Qatar’s strategic commitment to the Muslim Brotherhood and linked groups has come under increased scrutiny, not least from Gulf neighbours fearful of the rise of Islamism. While Doha may have toned down some of its more public support, its long-standing financial and political backing for such groups make it unlikely to step back

Relations with Washington tense

Bahrain’s parliament has called for the US ambassador in Bahrain to stop “interfering in domestic affairs” and meeting government opponents. According to 6 May reports in the pro-government press, the cabinet has agreed to the proposal, and will take diplomatic measures, though it is not clear what that might entail. Certainly, Manama’s recent pique at a critical US State Department report has exacerbated existing tensions between Washington and Bahrain.

Adnoc chooses Shell for $10bn Bab JV 

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has chosen Royal Dutch Shell as partner in a 30-year joint venture (JV) to develop the multi-billion dollar Bab sour gas fields in Abu Dhabi. The 30 April announcement was timed to coincide with the start of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan’s state visit to the UK

Al Al-Sheikh expected to oversee reform of Saudi Capital Market Authority

9 May 2013

New Kuwait media law is a step backwards

9 May 2013

Saudi Arabia subsidy reform? 

9 May 2013

Oman: Oman Oil Company invests in Duqm

9 May 2013

Oman: Sohar 2 and Barka 3 combined-cycle power plants commissioned 

9 May 2013

Adnoc chooses Shell for $10bn Bab JV 

9 May 2013

Saudi Arabia: Prince Khalid’s Billion-dollar project

9 May 2013

Saudi Arabia: Saud Al-Faisal: Laughs off rumours

9 May 2013

UAE: Sheikh Khalifa’s State visit to the UK

9 May 2013

Saudi Arabia: Princess Sara honoured Medal of First Class

9 May 2013

Relations with Washington tense

9 May 2013

UAE: Iranian MPs visit disputed islands

9 May 2013

Saudi Arabia: SFO denies it is dropping GPT investigation

9 May 2013

Saudi Arabia: Ad campaign against abuse of women

9 May 2013

Saudi Arabia: Protocol chief removed

9 May 2013

Kuwait: Sheikh Salman in Tehran

9 May 2013

UN torture expert’s visit cancelled – again

9 May 2013

Bahrain: Sheikh Khalid meets Kerry

9 May 2013

Oman: Muscat secures release of Iranian scientist held in US

9 May 2013

Dos and Don’ts in the UAE

9 May 2013

Sheikh Tamim’s busy schedule

9 May 2013

Qatar steadfast in its support for Islamist groups

9 May 2013

Concerns over health of Qatari emir fuel rumours he may abdicate

9 May 2013

Oman Risk Management Report: Weekend moved to Friday/Saturday to facilitate business

9 May 2013

Kuwait Risk Management Report: Thousands protest over sentencing of opposition leader Al-Barrak

9 May 2013

A dozen bombs? It’s a good day in Iraq

25 April 2013

Baroness Thatcher’s relations with the Gulf

25 April 2013

Qatar: JV agreement for Laffan 2 

25 April 2013

Saudi Arabia: Manifa starts production

25 April 2013

Qatar: Woqod is latest firm to be named in Algerian enquiries

25 April 2013

Iran: Oil ministry tries to secure control of industry

25 April 2013

British Army chief tours region

25 April 2013

Military spending rises across the Gulf in 2012

25 April 2013

Saudi Arabia: Prince Alwaleed supports women drivers

25 April 2013

UAE: MBRs Scandal at Godolphin

25 April 2013

Saudi Arabia: Fahd Bin Abdullah’s meetings

25 April 2013

Dozens of candidates, but few political differences in Iran’s presidential poll

25 April 2013

Fireworks in Sanaa as Hadi dispatches old guard

25 April 2013

Ian Henderson dies

25 April 2013

French intelligence chief’s MidEast links

25 April 2013

FAC questions UK cuts in Iraq

25 April 2013

Crown Prince Salman talks up reform at Grand Prix

25 April 2013

Gulf leaders at the White House

25 April 2013

Prince Khalid sacked as King Abdullah continues to clear out the old guard

25 April 2013

Musallam Al-Barrak sentenced to five years in jail

25 April 2013

Prince Fahd Bin Abdullah appointment

25 April 2013

Abbas makes groundbreaking visit

25 April 2013

Iraq Risk management report: First provincial elections since US pull-out go relatively smoothly

25 April 2013

Iraqi Kurdistan Risk management report: Defying Baghdad, Erbil sells crude on international market

25 April 2013

Understanding Al-Saud genealogy as important as ever in Saudi history

11 April 2013

Yemeni economy to feel blow of Saudi deportations  

11 April 2013

Moody’s sees stable outlook for Qatar banks

11 April 2013

Kuwait seeks to lose one million expatriates  

11 April 2013

Thousands of ‘foreigners’ to get Kuwaiti citizenship

11 April 2013

UAE: Sheikh Khalifa’s British state visit

11 April 2013

Saudi Arabia: Miteb Bin Abdullah’s Paris hotel 

11 April 2013

Saudi Arabia: Badr Bin Abdelaziz funeral

11 April 2013

Saudi Arabia: Alstom wins Yanbu 3 contract

11 April 2013

Ras Al-Khaimah: Autonomy for water and electricity authority  

11 April 2013

This Saudi Arabia: Paralysis reports denied 

11 April 2013

Saudi Arabia: Women ‘allowed to ride bicycles’ 

11 April 2013

Qatar: Emir Sheikh Hamad’s meetings 

11 April 2013

Qatar: Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Hamad’s court case 

11 April 2013

Qatar’s support for Mishaal

11 April 2013

Former UK diplomats turn business advisers 

11 April 2013

Kuwait holds first execution since 2007 

11 April 2013

Iraq executes 18 men

11 April 2013

New UAE hunting lodge

11 April 2013

Dubai hunting firm to win rights to Maasai ancestral lands 

11 April 2013

UAE: Number of defendants swells to 106 in Al-Islah trial 

11 April 2013

Syria’s opposition PM – friend of Qatar?

11 April 2013

Al-Khatib’s ‘resignation’ seen as dig at Qatar

11 April 2013

Saudi Arabia cracks down on migrant workers 

11 April 2013

Arab League summit: who was there?

11 April 2013

GCC Risk Management Report: GCC leads the diplomatic assault on Syria’s Bashar Al-Assad

11 April 2013

Iran Risk Management Report: Almaty nuclear talks fail to make tangible progress

11 April 2013

Case against Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr gets under way

11 April 2013

Barzani says Kurds will not accept subjugation

11 April 2013

Syria tops the agenda at Arab League summit in Doha

11 April 2013

Qatar: Marks and Spencer bid speculation

21 March 2013

UAE - RAK: Saud Bin Saqr’s Zimbabwe interest

21 March 2013

Oman protesters arrested after performance by US band

21 March 2013

Bahrain’s moderate Crown Prince Salman named first deputy prime minister

21 March 2013

Iraq’s budget: A victory for centralism

21 March 2013

UAE seeks to freshen its image with reshuffle announced on Twitter

21 March 2013

UAE Government list

21 March 2013

Riyadh and Doha display united front on Syria – but cracks likely to widen

21 March 2013

Iraq: Sunni protesters hit wall despite intense mobilisation

21 March 2013

Iraq bombings mark tenth anniversary

21 March 2013

Yemen: National Dialogue begins 

21 March 2013

Seven Saudi young men executed for robbery

21 March 2013

Saudi Arabia: ACPRA co-founders sentenced 

21 March 2013

Oman: Strikes 

21 March 2013

Saudi Arabia: ‘Spy ring’ 

21 March 2013

Saudi Arabia: Khalid Bin Bandar settles

21 March 2013

Saudi Arabia: UK court rules on immunity

21 March 2013

Saud Arabia: Maha Al-Sudairi judgement

21 March 2013

Prince Charles: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman 

21 March 2013

As relations improve, Kuwait eyes investment opportunities in Iraq

21 March 2013

Discovery of gas field in Qatar Block 4 North

21 March 2013

See more:

Perspectives

A selection of free articles from GSN's extensive database

Ten years after the Iraq invasion, the GSN 2003 archive opens to general readership

To mark the tenth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq, and to give wider public access to some of our reporting and analysis, GSN has unlocked the archive of its newsletters published in 2003 (accessible at www.gsn-online.com). The invasion was hardly a surprise; US determination to depose Saddam Hussein had been clear for months, but too little thought went into its repercussions. Few of those behind the invasion saw the potential for the turbulence it unleashed. A reading of pre-2003 GSN shows just how inevitable conflict was. ‘Global terrorism’ was high on the agenda as the George W Bush administration came to power.

Issue 942 - 5 March 2013

Concerns over democracy and human rights

The mood of crisis in Gulf affairs, with decisions on a war against Iraq perhaps just weeks away, is proving a delicate test for the West’s readiness to promote a democracy and human rights agenda.

Issue 697 - 7 November 2002

Peninsula Shield and Abu Musa

Defence ministers of the GCC states, meeting in Kuwait, endorsed an earlier proposal by Oman that the Peninsula Shield joint defence force be increased tenfold to 100,000 men. Currently the Peninsula Shield force, based at Hafr Al-Batin in north-eastern Saudi Arabia, has a strength of about 10,000 men.

Issue 450 - 30 November 1992

Iran, Iraq and Baghdad’s troubled finances

Iraq’s financial situation is far from satisfactory. The Gulf states and Saudi Arabia have provided the country with something like $30bn but there are some signs of a growing reluctance to lend any more.

Issue 200 - 28 November 1982

Loves me, loves me not: Ten years of the Qatar/Bahrain causeway

This week’s story on Qatar and Bahrain notes that plans for a causeway linking the two countries remain dead in the water, despite hopes they might be revived before the 2022 soccer World Cup.

Issue 933 - 11 October 2012

It is how weapons are used, not where they come from, that counts

Sweden’s defence minister quit last week after outcry at government plans to help Saudi Arabia build a weapons plant. Swedish outrage at the idea of signing military agreements with undemocratic countries is admirable; British and US newspapers have also recently decried massive arms deals to the Gulf. But arguably, the provenance of weapons – while important to the domestic politics of source countries – is only a sideshow.

Issue 921 - 5 April 2012

Growing tensions with Baghdad over oil law, Hashemi

long- standing political tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad have escalated in recent months, putting the Kurds at the centre of Iraqi politics: issues at stake include the presence on Kurdish soil of fugitive vice president Tariq Al-Hashemi, wanted by Baghdad, and a dispute over oil contracts which shows no signs of resolution.

Issue 919 - 8 March 2012

Saleh accepts UN resolution, but escalating unrest continues to claim lives

Embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh has accepted the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2014 of 24 October condemning the country’s violence on all sides and demanded a political transition.

Issue 911 - 28 October 2011

Senior Al-Saud still absent abroad, huge 2011 budget announced

Four senior royals (King Abdullah, interior minister and second deputy premier Nayef, Riyadh governor Prince Salman and Crown Prince Sultan) have long-standing health problems, highlighted by their various absences from Saudi Arabia in the past two years.

Issue 892 - 17 January 2011

Some signs of economic recovery in Dubai, but yet more debt is revealed

Dubai Group, a subsidiary of Dubai Holding, has revealed $4bn of debt in addition to the $6bn already declared. The group is now looking to restructure all $10bn, of which the original $6bn is owed to banks and $4bn made up of inter-company loans.

Issue 899 - 29 April 2011

CROWN PRINCE SALMAN: High public profile

Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa has been seen in several western capitals (including London in May and Washington in June) over the past few months, but has also been travelling at home.

Issue 906 - 5 August 2011

Critics attack ‘regressive’ Saudi press law

Amendments criticised for undoing all the gains in freedom of expression made under King Abdullah. The Kingdom has amended its Press and Publications Law of November 2000.

Issue 902 - 10 June 2011

Iraqiya suspends talks until demands are met

Iraqiya leader Ayad Allawi’s decision to suspend talks with prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki until demands on reform are met is the biggest threat to Iraq’s political stability since the current government was formed

Issue 902 - 10 June 2011

Emir reappoints prime minister despite opposition

Emir reappoints prime minister despite opposition, Nigerian kingpin released, Rafsanjani son accused of cheating, Al-Attiyah in line for Arab League job

Issue 898 - 8 April 2011

Criminal charges for executives in Gosaibi-Sanea debt row

Ahmed Hamad Al-Gosaibi and Brothers (AHAB) is suing the former chief executive of Bahrain-based The International Banking Corporation (TIBC) for allegedly defrauding the company of $9.2bn

Issue 898 - 8 April 2011

Sheikh Saud appoints heir

Ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi has issued an emiri decree (23/2010) appointing his son Sheikh Mohammed as crown prince

Issue 891 - 10 December 2010

HBJ Lebanon talks; , Sheikh Tamim Singapore meetings

Foreign minister and premier Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani travelled to Lebanon on 22 November. Heir apparent Sheikh Tamim has been in Singapore for high-level meetings.

Issue 890 - 26 November 2010

No sign of an official retreat from the Bahraini crackdown

King Hamad shows no sign of relaxing a security campaign that seems intended to squeeze opposition outside parliament and depress voter turnout in support of opponents within the constitutional framework, when legislative elections are held on 23 October

Issue 885 - 17 September 2010

SAUDI ARABIA: King Abdullah, Faisal Bin Abdullah, Khalid Bin Sultan, Mohammed Bin Nawwaf

Sarko meeting; SEC reshuffle; Swine flu; Yemen crisis, foreign meetings; Term extended

Issue 865 - 20 November 2009

Sheikh Ahmed dies

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Juma Al-Maktoum died on 23 March

Issue 850 - 27 March 2009

King Abdullah, CP Sultan, Princes, Princess Adila

King Abdullah: Reaching out in the United States, CP Sultan: Meets Orange prince, Bahraini King, Princes: Marriages, travel, Princes Adila: Healthcare

Issue 841 - 21 November 2008

QP seeks increased role

Qatar will start supplying Dubai with liquefied natural gas in 2011, once the Qatargas 4 project is completed, Qatar Petroleum (QP) gas development manager Khalid Mohammed Al-Hitmi told GSN. Qatargas 4 is a joint venture between

Issue 888 - 29 October 2010

From tense Basra and Baghdad to ‘relaxed’ Anbar: Iraq’s security outlook as US withdrawal looms

With the 31 August deadline looming for the withdrawal of US combat forces in Iraq, GSN has visited locations across the country to conduct a wide-ranging assessment of the security situation and the likely impact of withdrawal. We asked what the drawdown would mean on the ground and whether the Iraqi Security Forces will cope.

Issue 881 - 16 July 2010

Pressure builds for F-22 sales to Gulf

If Iran acquires an advanced, ‘double-digit’ surface-to-air missile (SAM) from Russia or China, the only aircraft capable of operating safely within its airspace would be the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.

Issue 876 - 7 May 2010

Yemen-based networks take fight to the Kingdom

Yemeni-based militants constitute one external threat to expatriates. Indeed, the prospect of establishing bases in Yemen has been mentioned prominently in militant communiqués and in Saudi government statements since 2006.

Issue 839 - 24 October 2008

See more:

Gulf Merchant Families

Anyone doing business in the Gulf is very likely to find him or herself either a competitor or partner of one of the region’s powerful merchant families. Produced by CbI’s due diligence and research team, with support from experienced GSN editorial staff, the Merchant Family Series of reports provides valuable insights to all investors interested in understanding the Gulf business environment.

Published in May 2013, this map provides an overview of licensed blocks in UAE both onshore and offshore. The location of oil and gas fields and associated existing and planned pipeline, refineries, processing facilities and tanker terminals are shown.

Published in February 2013, this file groups together a series of graphics showing Saudi Arabia's energy comsumption mix, electricity generation capacity gap, and 2032 generation targets.

Corrections

There are currently no correction announcements. An archive of past announcements may be read on the following page.

New Kuwait media law is a step backwards

On 24 April, Kuwait’s prime minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, met some of the country’s leading editors, and – following a “candid, frank and expanded meeting” (in the words of state news agency Kuna) – put the brakes on a controversial media law, which in its current state would seriously undermine press freedom.

A dozen bombs? It’s a good day in Iraq

On 20 April, Iraq held its first countrywide elections since the withdrawal of US troops in late 2011. The vote for provincial councils, widely touted as a litmus test for Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki ahead of parliamentary elections in 2014, was seen also as a test of how well Iraq’s political institutions and security forces could handle nationwide polls.

Understanding Al-Saud genealogy as important as ever in Saudi history

Any discussion of Saudi politics and business quickly turns to questions about the influence of Al-Saud princes and other key players in the royal pecking order, and who will succeed King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz.

SEE ALL POSTS

Events

28-29 May

Iraq Petrochem 2013, London

12-13 June

2nd Oil & Gas Security Summit 2013, London

17 June

Iraq Power, London

18-20 June

Iraq Petroleum, London

19-20 June

World National Oil Companies Congress, London

1-3 September

CIO Summit Middle East, UAE

16-17 September

2nd Edition Middle East Homeland Security Summit, Qatar

23-25 September

Power and Water Middle East, UAE

24-25 September

Smart Grids and Smart Meters Summit, UAE

29 September-2 October

Middle East Process Engineering Conference & Exhibition, Bahrain

SEE ALL EVENTS

Archive

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

9 May 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

25 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013

11 April 2013