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Kuwait border: Relations also remain strained on Iraq’s southern frontier, where the joint maritime border remains only partially agreed. On 13 December, Kuwait and the US issued a fresh call on Baghdad to agree to the frontier’s demarcation beyond the currently agreed limit, set by boundary marker 162. They made the call following the sixth round of the Kuwait-US Strategic Dialogue, which was held virtually on 9-11 December. They also called on Iraq to stick to a 2012 agreement to regulate maritime navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway, which the Iraqi Constitutional Court annulled in 2023.

Iraq
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Iran’s relationship with United Nation’s nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and with western powers has soured markedly in recent weeks, in the wake of a visit to Tehran by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi on 14 November. Grossi had been pushing for greater access to Iran by IAEA inspectors and to discuss uranium traces found at a number of sites around the country, but appeared to make little or no progress.

Iran
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King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has emphasised the need to continue pursuing the government’s Economic Vision 2030. At the recent inauguration of the third session of the sixth legislative term of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives he told the assembled parliamentarians that work should also be “accelerated on its next version for the year 2050.” On the regional front, Bahrain has been continuing to try and improve relations with Tehran. King Hamad hosting Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for talks at Al-Sakhir Palace on 21 October.

Bahrain
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The UAE has been clamping down hard on opposition figures this year, in what appears to be an increasingly repressive domestic political arena. A mass trial ended in July with the conviction of 53 people – many of them still behind bars from a 2013 court case. Abu Dhabi now says it has identified a new secret group of exiles operating outside the country trying to stir up trouble back home.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Issue 1189 - 16 July 2024

Saudi Arabia in context

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Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, established by King Abdelaziz (Ibn Saud) in 1932. After the founder died 20 years later, his son Saud took charge and since then power has been passed from brother to brother.

Saudi Arabia
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In an unusual move for a Gulf country, Saudi Arabia has increased the retirement age by up to five years, with most Saudis now set to work until they are 65 before they receive a full pension.

Saudi Arabia
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Prominent go-between: Qatar has emerged as a major player in regional conflicts – making itself very useful to a wide range of partners by acting as an interlocuter between various Islamist movements and western governments in crises from Afghanistan to Gaza.

Qatar
Issue 1188 - 19 June 2024

GSN 1188: Qatar in context

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Emir at the centre: Political power in Qatar is heavily concentrated in Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and a close network of advisors. While some other members of the ruling Al-Thani family are in the cabinet, they are often only distantly related to the emir, rather than his closest relatives. Tamim has further consolidated his control over key portfolios by directly tying ministries and governmental agencies to his Diwan.

Qatar
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After more than four years on the throne, Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said is slowly and steadily remodelling Oman’s economy, while maintaining a tight grip on the political arena.

Oman
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Kuwait stands out in the region for its relatively open political system, which includes a freely-elected parliament that often clashes with a government appointed by the ruling Al-Sabahs. As a small state with vast oil wealth, it was a pioneer in establishing a sovereign wealth fund, but these days its economy lags behind its more commercially adept neighbours. The perennial stand-off between the executive and legislature often leads to policy gridlock, with neither side able to provide the bold leadership Kuwait needs to forge ahead

Kuwait
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Iraq is buffeted by regional conflicts and domestic political and economic pressures; the dinar remains stressed and the population even more so. This is the first of a much-expanded series of GSN Risk management reports, in an online format intended to provide easy-to-access updates, analysis and contexts as a point of entry into this complex, often opaque region.

Iraq
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Kerman blast: Around 100 people were killed and nearly 300 injured in two explosions at a cemetery in the southern city of Kerman on 3 January, at an event marking the fourth anniversary of IRGC Quds force leader Qasem Soleimani’s death in a United States drone strike.

Iran
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Slowing economic growth: The economy posted year-on-year growth of 2.5% in Q3 2023, according to data released by the Information and eGovernment Authority on 26 December. The expansion was led by the non-oil sector, which grew by 4.5%, offsetting a 6.8% decline in the oil sector. 

Bahrain
Issue 1182 - 12 December 2023

Yemen: Houthis attack Red Sea shipping

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Red Sea attacks: Houthi forces launched missile and drone attacks against three commercial ships and a United States Navy vessel in the southern Red Sea on 3 December. The first attack targeted Bahamas-flagged bulk cargo ship Unity Explorer at 9:15 am Sanaa time, but the missile missed. Later in the day Unity Explorer was hit by another missile, causing minor damage.

Yemen