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
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On the page below you will find a selection of articles from the GSN archive. Please note that while some of the content is free to access, all items preceded by a padlock symbol () require a subscription.
North Korea is involved in the continuous support of nuclear and ballistic missile-related activity in Iran and Syria, according to a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report. Issue 890, 26 November 2010.more
Kuwait imposes UN sanctions on Iran
On 11 November, the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) issued a circular to all local banks, investment companies and money exchanges, ordering them to freeze assets and cease dealing with Iranian financial institutions that contribute to the country’s nuclear activities. 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
US strike plans revealed
The US Defence Department was ordered to draw up detailed contingency plans for launching military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, former president George W Bush has revealed in his memoirs. Issue 889, 12 November 2010.more
Air force to test homemade S-300
The Iranian Air Force is set to conduct hot-fire tests of a domestic version of the S-300 ground-to-air missile following the collapse of a deal with Russia for a similar system (GSN 886/14). Issue 889, 12 November 2010.more
Sanctions force rethink as BP shuts down North Sea venture
In the wake of US and EU sanctions imposed earlier in the year, Iranian oil companies are struggling for business internationally as well as domestically, highlighted by the recent closure of the BP-Iranian Oil Company joint venture-operated Rhum natural gas field in the UK’s North Sea. Issue 889, 12 November 2010.more
China and Venezuela woo Tehran
Not all countries are discouraged by the international sanctions imposed on Iran. Despite being a signatory to the UN sanctions, China continues to show an interest in the Iranian oil sector. Issue 889, 12 November 2010.more
China lined up after Russian deal collapses
Tehran will turn to Beijing to provide air defence systems for its nuclear facilities after an $800m deal struck with Russia in 2005 for S-300 surface-to-air missiles collapsed, Russian media have reported. Issue 887, 15 October 2010. more
Risk management report
Oil self-sufficiency achieved as energy reforms look to tackle economic challenges Issue 886, 1 October 2010.more
Ahmadinejad faces new challenges from within
After seeing off popular protests and reformist opponents, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad now faces challenges from within the regime as hardliners attempt to rein in the president’s growing personal authority. Issue 885, 17 September 2010.more
Government in industry shakeup
The government has proposed plans to revamp the organisational structure of Iran’s oil industry to grant the state-run National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) more autonomy. Issue 885, 17 September 2010.more
Japan removes new medium-term excred support
Aligning itself with international pressure over the nuclear issue, Tokyo has announced new sanctions against Iran, which include a ban upon any medium- to long-term (MLT) export credit cover from either Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (Nexi) and The Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC). Issue 885, 17 September 2010.more
Iran looks to domestic, Bric allies to develop an energy industry as regime runs out of options
As sanctions bite, it becomes ever harder to develop energy projects, but western withdrawal opens opportunities for Tehran’s traditional partners as well as domestic companies with shadowy backgrounds Issue 883, 27 August 2010.more
Big business for the IRGC
The awarding of lucrative oil and gas contracts to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC or Pasdaran) has become a common trend since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power in 2005, resulting in Pasdaran engineering and construction wing Khatam-Al-Anbia becoming one of Iran’s largest contractors. Issue 883, 27 August 2010.more
Iran is the focus as Iraq builds heavy divisions and lines up procurement deals
Although the aftershocks of Iraq’s post-Saddam brush with state failure continue to be felt across the country, Iraqis are moving on to new concerns – including a growing apprehension about the actions of its powerful neighbours Issue 882, 30 July 2010.more
Government targets oil self-sufficiency
Iran is aiming to become self-sufficient in oil within four years, oil minister Masoud Mir-Kazemi announced during the inaugural ceremony of Morvarid Petrochemical Complex and Pardis Petrochemical Company projects on 28 July. Issue 882, 30 July 2010.more
Sanctions hit airliners, US targets gasoline
Underlining the impact of US-led campaigns on economic life in the Islamic Republic, BP has halted fuel supplies to Iranian airliners landing at any location following fresh US sanctions against the energy sector. Issue 881, 16 July 2010.more
Russian trade continues amid growing tensions
Russian energy minister Sergei Shmatko has ruled out reducing energy trade with Iran despite the sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and European Union. Issue 881, 16 July 2010.more
Fresh sanctions squeeze Iranian market, but specialist banks continue to service key customers
UN and US sanctions are targeting the financial sector, but the few bankers still doing business with Iran seem determined to maintain trade finance flows Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Bond issue for South Pars gas field
Iran appears to be making progress in funding its offshore South Pars gas field, after several major western players withdrew their expertise and financing from a number of project phases during 2010. Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Risk management report
Struggling economy hit by new sanctions, but opposition continues to fade Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Fresh sanctions loom, but Iran’s regime remains firmly entrenched
One year on from the mass protests which threatened to overthrow the regime, a new round of UN sanctions will attempt to tighten the screw on Iran’s stuttering economy, but so far President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government has brutally seen off all challenges Issue 879, 18 June 2010.more
Foreign firms publicly reported to have commercial activity in the oil, gas, or petrochemical sectors
With the United States lining up another round of sanctions in the face of Iran’s refusal to budge over its nuclear programme, a letter and documentation sent by the Government Accountability Office to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs chairman Joe Lieberman and Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security ranking member Jon Kyl has been doing the rounds. It records, from open source reports, the dealings of a number of global corporations with the Islamic Republic. Issue 877, 21 May 2010.more
Fake surface-to-air missiles at Army Day parade point to growing paranoia in Tehran
Iran appears to be ramping up its campaign to convince western observers of its new level of air defence amid growing fears that a military strike – most likely from Israel – is not far off Issue 876, 7 May 2010.more
Missle tests feature in Hormuz exercise
A three-day military exercise by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) ground, air and naval units, which began on 22 April, was intended to test a range of Iranian-built missiles and other equipment, Issue 875, 23 April 2010.more
Esfahanis’ surprise Korean bid
Entekhab Industrial Group in mid-April was named as the buyer for Daewoo Electronics in a deal thought to be worth some $540m. Entekhab and Swedish firm Electrolux AB on 24 March were named top bidders for Daewoo Electronics, which is being sold by Woori Bank representing the South Korean firm’s creditors. Issue 875, 23 April 2010.more
Popular opposition stifled, but parliament challenges Ahmadinejad’s policies
Risk management report Issue 874, 9 April 2010.more
Iran looks east to outmanoeuvre sanctions
As the United States pushes for further sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, China’s emergence as a major player in oil production threatens to undermine efforts to target the Islamic Republic’s besieged energy industry Issue 872, 5 March 2010.more
Iran’s Green revolutionaries just won’t go away
The regime’s hardliners thought its critics were a disparate bunch who would melt away under assault from the Basij militia. The fact that protests continue has surprised President Ahmadinejad’s allies as much as outside observers, forcing the regime and other key players – including the United States – to reassess their options Issue 871, 12 February 2010.more
Iran runs out of allies as nuclear tensions heighten
The shortfalls in Tehran’s proposal of a new deal on uranium enrichment, even while it intensifies its nuclear programme, has forced long-standing allies like Russia, as well as the Obama administration, to consider taking a much harder line against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his friends Issue 871, 12 February 2010.more
Iran’s minorities under extreme pressure
A number of minority and ethnic groups have become more prominent since June’s disputed election – and many of them have been severely repressed in an apparent attempt to intimidate them against joining the Green Movement (GSN 865/3). Issue 871, 12 February 2010.more
US running out of options on Iran
The Obama administration is turning from engagement to containment as Tehran’s domestic crisis frustrates policy Issue 870, 29 January 2010.more
Regime consolidates power despite popular unrest, sanctions damage economy
Risk management report, Issue 869, 15 January 2010.more
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