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The current Fujairah crown prince is the ruler’s eldest son, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad; he is married to Sheikha Latifa, a daughter of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MBR). This Fujairah family tree was published in July 2018. Alongside the main graphic there are brief profile notes on the key figures, while a feature article (also published in July 2018) provides background and analyses the central role played in UAE politics by Abu Dhabi’s crown prince and the limits to the autonomy of the less powerful emirates

The UAE has been focused on leveraging to the maximum its new public relationship with Israel following the signing on 15 September of the Abraham Accords, which were ratified by the Knesset (Israeli parliament) on 15 October. Deals have been signed in a host of areas ranging from artificial intelligence, to healthcare, agriculture and security, by companies many of which are linked to senior Emiratis and government bodies. Underlining potential strategic plays, the UAE is looking to take advantage of the Europe-Asia oil pipeline that runs from Eilat to Ashkelon on the Mediterranean coast.

Saudi Arabia is keen to end the costly war on its southern border, but has yet to find a way out while also ensuring its security and preserving Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s reputation. The Biden administration could contribute to the conflict’s resolution, provided it can reach a new understanding with Iran. In the meantime, many are profiting from the conflict, with large-scale smuggling from Oman and the UAE bringing arms and much more into the conflict zone.

The issue leads with a focus on Oman, where Sultan Haitham has adopted the same tactics as his predecessor in response to protests by unemployed locals that began in Sohar and spread nationwide. The issue also examines Kuwaiti tribes, which constitute up to 60% of the country’s citizens and are becoming increasingly important political and economic actors. Often feeling shut out of the lucrative market for government contracts, they are looking for changes which the Al-Sabah leadership finds hard to deliver.  Defence and security coverage includes articles on the UAE's airbase on the Yemeni island of Perim and the progress of a deal for the UAE to purchase F-35s from the US. Energy coverage looks at how output and investment is set to rise as Opec+ contemplates Iran and the challenge of energy transition. The GSN View focuses on Iran's upcoming presidential elections.

The issue leads with an examination of Gulf alliances, as a cooling of relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE points to the Gulf Co- operation Council (GCC) governments experiencing yet another realignment. Separate articles look at Oman's relationship with Saudi Arabia and the role the sultanate  could play in bringing the Yemen war to an end. The issue also looks at Kuwait, where the absence of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, who is abroad for medical treatment, is a cause for concern for Kuwaiti insiders at a time of political instability and where the government continues to crack down on dissenting voices. Defence coverage looks at the agreement between Qatar and Turkey allowing Doha to station a mixed fleet of fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters at the Turkish Air Force Base at Konya in central Anatolia. Energy sector coverage leads with Saudi Arabia, where Saudi Aramco is pushing ahead with its divestment programme, in a move senior vice president for corporate development Abdelaziz Al- Gudaimi said would happen “irrespective of any market conditions” so the state giant could generate “double-digit billions of dollars”. Risk management reports focus on Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan. The latter is accompanied by a map which includes oil and gas infrastructure and disputed zones. 

This issue of the Gulf States Newsletter begins with a breakdown of recent Houthi developments in the Yemen conflict including ground taken, smuggling and Houthi priorities. This is accompanied with an oil and gas industry map of Yemen.  The issue's next feature looks at the falling out and coming together within the highest echelons of Iraq following the recent election. UAE national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan's visit to Iran takes the focus of the Diplomatic brief section.  The UAE also takes the lead of this week's Defence and security section regarding the French Rafale deal.  The risk management reports are of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.  

This special issue of GSN has updated risk management reports for each of the countries in the Gulf.  It also includes a leading article regarding the region's response to the end of Pax Americana.  This is followed by an analysis of Saudi Arabia and UAE's new defence arrangements in response to threats from Yemen and Iran. A look into rising economies coming out of the Covid crisis heads off the Finance and Business section.  This issue also includes a new News Review section wherein GSN looks at breaking news on power politics across the region. 

This issue of GSN leads with Saudi Arabia, where the authorities are trying to counter growing criticism over a programme led by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s Public Investment Fund to redevelop large swathes of Jeddah. The issue also includes a focus on Kuwait which is facing yet more political turmoil as two ministers resign and poor relations between the legislature and executive have the potential to cause wider political problems. Defence and Security leads with an article on the future of the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG), as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman reshapes the kingdom in his image. Energy and industry coverage includes a look at the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court's decision to rule as unconstitutional a 2007 law regulating the oil sector in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The GSN view examines an apparent new 'Golden age' for Qatar.

The issue leads with a focus on Yemen where a 60-day truce extension offers some hope for resolution of the conflict, but kidnappings and attacks by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) point to another threat to stability, which could yet drag the United States and others back into the crisis. Politics coverage includes a look at Bahrain's major cabinet reshuffle and Oman's restoration of citizenship to 115 dissidents and exiles. The defence and security section looks at reports that the US is drawing up plans for a regional defence co-operation agreement to counter perceived threats from Iran. There is also an examination of recent Red Sea naval exercises that involved forces from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Djibouti, Jordan, Sudan and Yemen. Finance and business coverage focuses on a filing by the Kuwaiti government in a Los Angeles court that lays out allegations of widespread fraud involving secret bank accounts, unauthorised transfers of funds and the purchase of properties in Beverly Hills. Energy and industry coverage leads with Qatar, where TotalEnergies has been selected as QatarEnergy's first partner on the expansion of the North Field, and also focuses on UAE and Saudi upstream investment plans. The GSN View focuses on Iraq, where after months of failed efforts to form a new government, Shia leader Moqtada Al-Sadr’s call for his Council of Representatives (parliament) members to resign has thrown the Iraqi political scene into fresh turmoil.

The issue leads with an examination of the geopolitics surrounding the construction of Egypt’s first nuclear plant and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s aim of shaping a nuclear Middle East where Arab states can confront Iran on an equal footing without having to rely on the United States. Politics coverage leads with a special report from Yemen focused on the impact of the continued blockade of roads into and out of Taiz, which is besieged despite a United Nations-backed truce that included provisions for the seven-year blockade to be lifted. Energy sector coverage leads with an examination of the oil market ahead of a crucial early-August meeting of Opec+ ministers. Risk Management Reports focus on the UAE's federation and emirates. The GSN View examines the prospects for a region-wide defence pact to counter Iran.

The issue leads with Saudi Arabia where Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), in a break from tradition, has been named prime minister. GSN's sources suggest King Salman's aling health is a factor but also important is the Bin Salman’s desire to cement MBS’ power within the ruling family and to protect him from legal peril overseas. GSN's coverage includes profiles of King Salman's children. Politics coverage includes a focus on Kuwait, where opposition and Islamist voices made gains in the National Assembly election and Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal reappointed Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah as prime minister. GSN also examines recent developments in Yemen and Iran. Defence and security coverage examines the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine and recent Iranian artillery, rocket and drone strikes on targets in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Finance and business coverage includes a look at the death of the disgraced former Kuwait Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) director Fahad Al-Rajaan and the more than $874m that allegedly went missing from the pension fund under his watch. Risk management reports are on Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The GSN View focuses on Opec+ and its early October decision to cut oil production.

Published in June 2009, this map provides an overview of global Islamic finance markets. Charts and graphics include Sharia-compliant financial assets by country (Dec 2007), Takaful operators by country (2008), Leading Islamic banks by asset values (Dec 2007), and Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) inter-regional trade

Less assertive until now in the region than its ally the UAE or rival Qatar, Saudi Arabia hosted the first consultative meeting of the Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (AARSGA) in Riyadh on 12 December, attended by foreign ministers from seven countries. A communiqué said AARSGA was set up to enhance co-operation “in the political, economic, cultural, environmental and security fields”. A follow-up meeting of senior officials is due to be held in Cairo.

Oil major ExxonMobil has broken its silence over its controversial production-sharing contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), although it did not comment on the resultant tension with Baghdad.

The private political risk insurance (PRI) market is open for Iraqi risks, sometimes with a degree more flexibility than its official export agency counterparts. “Contracts continue to be insured”, said Harry Doyne-Ditmas, the Dubai-based leader in JLT Specialty’s credit, political and security risk team covering the Middle East and Africa. He said JLT typically receives “one to two enquiries a month, which has been the case for the past couple of years”.