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The issue leads with an analysis of what Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Al-Thani’s emergence as a bidder for Manchester United FC reveals about the balance of power and wealth in the opaque world of Qatari politics. We also publish a detailed profile of Sheikh Jassim. Politics & People leads on the likelihood of yet another unconstitutional government resignation in Kuwait and the dismal state of its anti-corruption campaign. Royals watch notes steps to reconciliation in Kuwait’s ruling Al-Sabah family, while Diplomatic brief analyses the context of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s recent visit to Oman. Defence & Security covers the emergence of Iran-based jihadist veteran Saif Al-Adel as leader of Al-Qaeda. We also report on Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri’s inspection of a new underground airbase located in the southern mountains. Energy & Industry explores difficulties in establishing a working relationship between Erbil and Baghdad and the impact on a proposed national budget and hydrocarbons law. The situation leaves Iraqi Kurds in political and financial limbo with their regional oil industry under threat.  

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (Nedsa) has been converting another container ship to naval use. The 36,000t Shahid Bagheri has been pictured getting a flight deck similar to the Shahid Mahdavi, which was seen anchored off Bandar Abbas in mid-February.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani criticised delays in sending aid to Syria, following the devastating earthquake which hit the country and neighbouring Turkey.

Protestors have refused to stand down in the face of sometimes overwhelming state force in the seven weeks since Mahsa Amini died in custody. The movement’s support base has spread across the country and into parts of society not usually associated with political demonstrations, putting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei under unprecedented pressure. His regime is not yet facing the end, but the challenge to the clerical/military leadership will not fade easily or quickly.

Even while Iranian diplomatic efforts are focused on talks with global powers to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – the nuclear deal whose revival would significantly improve the economic outlook – the domestic situation remains fragile.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani removed Mustafa Ghalib Makhif as governor of the Central Bank of Iraq on 23 January, following a 7% fall in the value of the dinar over the past two months. Makhif had held the job since 2020. He has been succeeded by Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq.

The United Kingdom has denied that Saudi Arabia is set to join a multinational initiative to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet, following a claim by Saudi defence minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman.

UAE state-owned defence conglomerate Edge Group dominated the contract awards at the latest running of the International Defence Exhibition (Idex) and Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex) in Abu Dhabi in February.

Relations between London and Tehran have deteriorated following the execution on 14 January of Iranian-British dual national Alireza Akbari, who had been convicted of spying. Prior to Akbari’s execution, there had been rising speculation in London that the UK could soon designate the IRGC as a terrorist group.

The Iranian authorities’ harsh crackdown on the protesters appears to be having an impact, with far fewer public demonstrations now being reported. Thousands have been arrested and at least four protestors have been hanged following what critics have called sham trials.

The Kuwaiti authorities are reviving long-running plans to drastically reduce the number of foreign workers, despite signs that such a policy could harm Kuwait’s ability to develop a viable post-oil economy.

The issue leads with an analysis of the rifts forming between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, looking into how Saudi oil economy ambitions have impacted Emirati officials. Politics and Royals watch sections follow with news of the Qatari Emir replacing the country's prime minister and opposition and revolution in Iran. Energy and industry covers claims that Somalia has an unofficial maritime map with offshore blocks in Yemeni waters. This is considered in the context of Yemen's civil war and outreach for IOCs. This article is accompanied by a map illustrating the Yemen's exploration and production blocks. RMRs focus on Bahrain and Iran. This issue's view article, which is free to view for registrants, concerns the Iranian regime's tightening grip on protests following the death in custody of 22-year- old Mahsa Amini. GSN asks whether opposition forces can hold out. 

The Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) launched its coastal missile defence system at the Umm Al-Houl naval base late February. In September 2016, Qatar signed a deal with European defence group MBDA for a coastal defence system using the extended range version of the Marte missile and Exocet MM40 Block 3 missile.

The failure of Yemen’s warring parties to renew their truce in October is regarded by many observers as a sign of both the increasing strength of the Houthi rebel group and a failure of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) to resolve its own internal differences.

Since the six-month ceasefire in Yemen ended in early October, Houthi forces have launched a series of drone attacks on energy infrastructure targets. To date, they have caused minimal damage, but the rebel group showed during the summer that it has a large stock of weapons at its disposal and more strikes seem likely.