Search results

In the wake of the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Dubai, several recent moves by the United Arab Emirates indicate a shift toward greater nancial transparency and accountability at least for ...

Saudi Arabia’s stepped-up campaign against terrorism within its borders may not go far in deflecting new tensions that have led to a breakdown relations with the USA.

Jamming of pirate radio and televisionbroadcasts into Iran has continued. Interference was originally aimed at calming the inflammatory effects of such media ahead of the 9 July anniversary protests but the struggle over the airwaves goes on.

Part of the US “hearts and minds” effort involves financing infrastructure improvements in Iraq after Coalition troops have had their way with a region

With the installation of a new Governing Council in Baghdad representing all of Iraq’s ethnic groups and a diversity of political tendencies, post-conflict “normality” at  last beckons for Iraq. With Uday and Qusay Hussein lying on mortuary slabs, an encouraging report from United Nations envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello, and talk of a fresh UN resolution that would open the way to a more multi-national military presence and new sources of foreign aid, it is now just possible to glimpse a stable future in which an Iraqi administration is no longer provisional, and includes local actors.

Coming months will put the European Union to the test in the Gulf, as it seeks to demonstrate to what extent it can operate as a counterweight to US influence there. In  practice the EU already has a stronger hand than the US in its dealings with Iran, and it  has  begun  mobilising resources to take a more prominent role in Iraq. With a more  flexible view of the region than US policy-makers and more willingness to engage, the EU  has  a  very  real  opportunity  to  strengthen  its hand in the region. But the region has had similar hopes dashed before. By autumn it should become apparent whether Europe’s  willingness is matched by enough diplomatic muscle to make a difference.

Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah’s “national dialogue” on reform produced few tangible results but gathered a diverse set of voices behind his ambitious agenda for reform. The presence of Defence Minister Prince Sultan at CPA’s palace after the talks indicates the hard-line Wahabi camp may have begun to accept some arguments for liberalisation.

Saudi Arabia will throw its weight behind the Roadmap plan for Middle Eastern peace, with compromises even on such hot issues as Jerusalem. GEOPOLITICS, PAGE 3 Bahrain’s King Hamad attended MidEast summit talks as a representative of the new, more democratic Gulf, as well as being Arab League President.

Iraq’s reconstruction and the establishment of an interim authority may have to wait until all the country’s regions have been stabilised.

Western intelligence agencies believe the attacks on three Western compounds in Riyadh showed again that the Saudi authorities have been far to laid back in tackling Jihadi groups. Their governments are coming to take the same view. This points to a major potential shift

While the world focused on the US move to confirm their small Emirate as a key hub in its global military strategy, effectively replacing Saudi Arabia, Qatari voters on 29 April overwhelmingly approved the new Constitution presented by Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

Saudi Shiites fear the authorities will respond to a reform call with a security crackdown rather than with concessions. Wahhabi sentiment is polarising, with senior Sudairi princes sponsoring hardline religious initiatives.

Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani on 15 April urged Qataris to vote in a 29 April referendum on a draft Constitution that will grant legislative powers to a 45-member Shura (Advisory Council), regulate ruling family affairs and lay out a separation of powers in a significant step towards democratisation in the GCC region. Once voted in, the Constitution is not open to amendment for a minimum period of ten years.

With the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom winding down, the Pentagon has entered the nation-building phase. It could prove more of a challenge than fighting the war given the Coalition’s aim not only to oust Saddam Hussein but also to eradicate any WMD and ‘terrorist

US Air Force, Centcom and Defence Intelligence Agency planners told GSN the military phase of Iraq’s “transition” was developing at about the speed they expected. Best case and worst case scenarios have not come to pass in the