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Former Bahraini ministers who lost out in a wide-ranging government reshuffle, including several members of the ruling Al-Khalifa family, have been appointed to new roles, in a series of royal orders issued by King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa.

Gulf Co-operation Council countries formally launched the process to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK. The GCC is the UK’s seventh largest export market.

The United States is reportedly drawing up plans for a defence co-operation agreement between Israel and the six Gulf Co-operation Council states, as well as Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, to counter the perceived threat from Iran.

King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa made 17 new cabinet appointments on 13 June, although most of the more influential government posts were untouched. Mohammed Bin Mubarak Bin Dainah becomes oil and environment minister, while Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa was named deputy prime minister and infrastructure minister; new tourism minister Fatima Bint Jaafer Al-Sairafi is one of four women in the 25-strong cabinet.

Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa is to seek a third term as Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president when the post comes up for election in February 2023.

The organisers of the Martin Ennals Award – one of the most prestigious in the human rights field – noted Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja's long history of protesting against unlawful detention and torture in Bahrain and his criticism of corruption.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s recent visit to Muscat was accompanied by a flurry of announcements hailing their “centuries-old” friendship (as the Iranian leader put it), but with differing expectations over what benefits might be expected from a boost in relations.

The Gulf region’s politicians and business leaders returned in force to the World Economic Forum (WEF) held as ever in Davos, Switzerland, but at a different time of year. The most senior regional leader to turn up was Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who gave a speech at the opening session.

Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdulrahman Bin Rashid Al-Khalifa took his oath of office as the new governor of Capital Governorate, in front of King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa at Safriya Palace on 24 May. King Hamad had made the appointment via a royal decree issued on 18 May.

Saudi Aramco is said to be considering a stock market listing for its Aramco Trading arm. Analysts have predicted the unit could be valued at more than $30bn. Omani state energy company OQ is reportedly considering a sale of shares in some of its upstream and downstream assets. Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Nogaholding is due to complete a comprehensive energy strategy in six months, which could pave the way for an “asset monetisation” programme.

Recently appointed United States Central Command (Centcom) commander General Michael Kurilla held a meeting with then Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) at Qasr Al-Shati, Abu Dhabi on 12 May, some three months after his predecessor had seemingly been denied an audience with MBZ.

Sheikh Khalid Bin Ali Al-Khalifa was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with honours from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Regional and international leaders have descended on Abu Dhabi in the days since the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan was announced on 13 May, both to offer condolences and to congratulate Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed (MBZ) who has moved from being the country’s de facto leader to formally becoming its president.

Risk Management Report: International politics and economics. Breakeven prices: Oil prices have remained high in the shadow of the Ukraine war, with the cost of a barrel well above $100 through much of March and April. This means that most Gulf states are in a position to post budget surpluses this year.

Recently appointed United States Central Command (Centcom) commander General Michael Kurilla visited the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain on 29 April. It was his first visit since assuming command of Centcom on 1 April, when he took over from General Kenneth McKenzie.