30-31 January: Middle East and North Africa Energy, London
6-7 February: E & P Information and Data Management, London
6-8 February: PowerGen Middle East, Doha
13-15 February: Kuwait Oil and Gas Summit and Exhibition, Kuwait
14-15 February: 9th Annual Trade and Export Finance Conference, Dubai
27-29 February: Offshore Arabia, Dubai
March (date to be confirmed): Middle East Alternative Investment Summit (location to be confirmed)
3-5 March: Saudi Safety and Security, Saudi Arabia
5-8 March: Middle East Investment Summit, Dubai
5-8 March: Hedge Funds World Middle East, Dubai
6-7 March: Saudi Downstream, Saudi Arabia
5-8 March: Middle East Investment Summit, Dubai
20-21 March : 3rd Annual Middle East Securities Forum, Abu Dhabi
25-27 March: Gulf Environment Forum, Saudi Arabia
25-27 March: Saudi Innovation, Diversification & Investment, Saudi Arabia
24-25 April: Middle East Real Estate Summit, Abu Dhabi
9-10 May: SMI's LNG 2012, London
13-15 May: WEPower, Saudi Arabia
18-20 June: Iraq Petroleum, London
Briefings & Reports
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Need an expert briefing to support an investment decision?
GSN’s team of experienced analysts are often called on by governments and their agencies, financial institutions, and energy companies to comment on developments in the Gulf region. Our analysts are available for private briefings (either by telephone or in person) and can produce tailored reports and research on a range of topics and issues. For more information contact Mark Ford. Email:mark@cbi-publishing.com
Politics, succession & risk in Saudi Arabia report
Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia is a GSN special report, published in January 2010. The new report analyses Saudi policy on issues including succession, domestic and regional politics, defence, energy and financial trends, and features extensively researched biographical entries on 1,200 Al-Sauds from the ruling family’s main branch, together with profiles of leading cadet branch businessmen, and a range of maps and graphics.
Read more about the report
GSN’s county-by-country coverage of the Gulf.
Select the country you require by clicking on the name of that country in the map below. Each country page includes recent and archived GSN articles, maps, family trees, and other resources. Regionally focused articles on a selection of issues affecting the Gulf may be found on this page, below the map.
Issues and ideas - a selection of regionally-focused articles covering key topics.
Search for security underpins Iran’s economic co-operation with Iraq
The confusion of a post-Saddam Iraq has presented Iran with countless opportunities to extend its tentacles of influence. GSN outlines the Islamic Republic’s strategy for keeping its rival at bay Issue 889, 12 November 2010.more
Iranian threat focuses minds of GCC leaders
The hand of Tehran – and its formidable IRGC – reaches far into the Gulf states, throwing up questions of allegiance and fears of a US or Israeli-orchestrated military strike. Each state has a different experience, and the region is divided over how to deal with subversive activities within and across its borders Issue 888, 29 October 2010.more
GCC leaders promote ties in London, shy away from Iran confrontation
Late October saw a flurry of activity in London aimed at boosting Gulf Co-Operation Council-UK ties. If the crowded programme had been the result of a co-ordinated plan by the UK’s (relatively) new coalition government it might be seen as a reaffirmation of UK-Gulf ties organised by a dynamic new administration. Issue 888, 29 October 2010.more
Markets look for leadership to overcome fallout from Al-Gosaibi/Al-Sanea dispute
The fallout from the dispute between two major Saudi business families continues to concern creditors, regional banks and international monetary authorities. Conventional wisdom has it that issues surrounding the Al-Gosaibi/Maan Al-Sanea defaults will be resolved by the authorities. But the Saudi system’s slow public response to the situation was undermining confidence even before international courts got involved Issue 887, 15 October 2010.more
Shifting global balance places ever greater weight on emerging markets
The influence and financial muscle of Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states was more apparent than ever at the 6-9 October International Monetary Fund/World Bank annual meetings in Washington. Issue 887, 15 October 2010.more
After the referendum, Turkey’s regional position set for consolidation
Turkey is coming to play a central role in strategic thinking in the Arab/Islamic world, as well as in the West and Eurasian zones. Regional trade is booming, Ankara’s relationship with Israel has become strained while Turkey has emerged as a key player in Iraqi Kurdistan; and as a nuclear Iran emerges, Turkey’s relations with the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states may well become central to regional strategies. Issue 885, 17 September 2010.more
US policy
Operation New Dawn: challenges facing the new US mission in Iraq
Operation Iraqi Freedom ended on 1 September after more than seven years of US ‘combat operations’ in Iraq. GSN marks the occasion by analysing the new US military mission, Operation New Dawn Issue 884, 3 September 2010. more
Petraeus returns to the fray as ‘Runaway General’ McChrystal resigns over magazine article
The Obama presidency has acted decisively to remove a dissenting voice from the top military team, opening the way for a further reshuffle of US generals, but not necessarily a change of tack on the operational front in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Gulf Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
GCC looks on as Petraeus job threatens to lock US into AfPak conflict
Gulf Co-operation Council states have long been the focus of efforts by US administrations and their regional military structure Central Command (Centcom) to enforce the Pax Americana. But with some GCC allies already feeling distanced from high-level contacts in Washington, the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal as head of US Forces and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, and his replacement by Centcom commander General David Petraeus, threatens to leave them feeling even more distanced from the US civil-military relationship. Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Key officers in the US command
A new head will have to be appointed to US Central Command (Centcom). In the interim, deputy Centcom commander and US Marine Corps Lieutenant General John Allen will serve as acting commander while Petraeus is deployed to Afghanistan. Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Post-financial crisis environment has put GCC risk under a harsher spotlight
The effects of the global downturn on Dubai, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have forced traders, financiers and insurers to assess GCC credit and political risk more closely. And some firms are expanding their GCC teams to do so. Issue 890, 26 November 2010.more
Search for security underpins Iran’s economic co-operation with Iraq
The confusion of a post-Saddam Iraq has presented Iran with countless opportunities to extend its tentacles of influence. GSN outlines the Islamic Republic’s strategy for keeping its rival at bay Issue 889, 12 November 2010.more
Iranian threat focuses minds of GCC leaders
The hand of Tehran – and its formidable IRGC – reaches far into the Gulf states, throwing up questions of allegiance and fears of a US or Israeli-orchestrated military strike. Each state has a different experience, and the region is divided over how to deal with subversive activities within and across its borders Issue 888, 29 October 2010.more
GCC leaders promote ties in London, shy away from Iran confrontation
Late October saw a flurry of activity in London aimed at boosting Gulf Co-Operation Council-UK ties. If the crowded programme had been the result of a co-ordinated plan by the UK’s (relatively) new coalition government it might be seen as a reaffirmation of UK-Gulf ties organised by a dynamic new administration. Issue 888, 29 October 2010.more
High-profile deals keep region on track
Recent financings worth a total $1.3bn for two Omani power projects and a $2.2bn package for Emirates Steel have maintained momentum in the GCC project finance market, according to participants canvassed by GSN Issue 888, 29 October 2010.more
Debt restructuring tests Gulf’s ability to deal with insolvency claims
The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries were hardest hit by the global economic and financial crisis in the Middle East and North Africa region, but they recovered quickly as demand for oil – driven by rapid recovery in emerging markets – picked up and the financial sector stabilised, according the World Bank’s October Regional Economic Outlook report. Issue 888, 29 October 2010.more
Markets look for leadership to overcome fallout from Al-Gosaibi/Al-Sanea dispute
The fallout from the dispute between two major Saudi business families continues to concern creditors, regional banks and international monetary authorities. Conventional wisdom has it that issues surrounding the Al-Gosaibi/Maan Al-Sanea defaults will be resolved by the authorities. But the Saudi system’s slow public response to the situation was undermining confidence even before international courts got involved Issue 887, 15 October 2010.more
Shifting global balance places ever greater weight on emerging markets
The influence and financial muscle of Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states was more apparent than ever at the 6-9 October International Monetary Fund/World Bank annual meetings in Washington. Issue 887, 15 October 2010.more
Washington pushes ‘major rearmament deal’ with GCC to boost domestic and regional confidence
Commitments by the United States to strengthen its Gulf allies have been confirmed with the public agreement of a multi-billion dollar defence deal intended to shift the balance of power from tipping into Iran’s favour, while allowing the US to safely reduce its boots-on-the-ground military presence in the region and create jobs at home Issue 886, 1 October 2010.more
Nabucco keen to secure gas for Europe
European Union-backed Nabucco Gas Pipeline International (NGPI) is pushing to secure Iraqi gas to flow through its planned pipeline, which would supply Europe by-passing the EU’s biggest supplier Russia. Issue 886, 1 October 2010.more
Read more regionally-focused articles from the archives
