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Afghanistan a bellwether for Iran-Saudi rivalry

James Dorsey Boasting an almost 1,000-kilometer border with Iran and a history of troubled relations between the Iranians and Sunni Muslim militants, including the Taliban, Afghanistan could become a bellwether for the future of the rivalry between the Islamic Republic and Saudi Arabia. Had the United States withdrawn from Afghanistan several years earlier, chances would have been that Saudi Arabia would have sought to exploit military advances […]

US, China misguided approach in Middle East

James M. Dorsey A recent analysis of Middle Eastern states’ interventionist policies suggests that misguided big power approaches have fueled a vicious cycle of interference and instability over the last decade. Those approaches are abetted, if not encouraged by US and Chinese strategies that are similar, if not essentially the same, just labelled differently. The United States has long opted for regime stability in the Middle East rather than […]

Trump aide indictment mars UAE’s lobbying success

James M Dorsey This month’s indictment of a billionaire, one-time advisor and close associate of former US President Donald J. Trump, on charges of operating as an unregistered foreign agent in the United States for the United Arab Emirates highlights the successes and pitfalls of a high-stakes Emirati effort to influence US policy. The indictment of businessman Thomas  J. Barrack, who maintained close ties to UAE Crown Prince […]

Greater Middle East target for Chinese military power

James Dorsey China may have no short-term interest in contributing to guaranteeing security in parts of a swath of land stretching from Central Asia to the East coast of Africa, but that does not prevent the People’s Republic from preparing for a time when it may wish to build on long-standing political and military relationships in various parts of the world to project power and maintain an […]

World oil deficit can only worsen

I believe Brent’s 6% plunge last night to close below 70 for the first time since May is an ideal opportunity to accumulate high beta shale drillers and oil services shares that were gutted by 20 to 25% in the brutal correction since the past month. The world oil market is tight and has a deficit of 2.4 MBD. So it made perfect political sense for OPEC […]

Doha beats Dubai in flight ticket bookings for first half

In the battle to be the pre-eminent travel hub in the Middle East, the latest research from ForwardKeys, which has the world’s freshest and most comprehensive fight booking data, reveals that in the first half of 2021, Doha seized and consolidated a lead over Dubai. In the period 1st January to 30th June, the volume of air tickets issued for travel via Doha was 18% higher than it was […]

Muslim-Evangelical alliance strives for middle ground

James M Dorsey A recent unprecedented alliance between Muslims and Evangelicals takes on added significance in a world in which human rights are on the defensive, religious groups tend to forge political as well as ideational partnerships, and the role of the clergy in multiple Muslim-majority countries has come under scrutiny. The alliance potentially could create a platform for voices in the Muslim world, particularly the Middle East, […]

UAE oil policy clashes with Saudi, Russian line

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was not only the founder of the most successful political federation in the modern history of the Arab World but also the architect of the UAE’s innovative, globalised oil and gas sector. The late UAE President defied the populist trend in OPEC in the 1970’s to nationalise the assets of foreign oil companies. Instead, he signed joint ventures and concession agreements […]

Defining moderate Islam: Muslims and Evangelicals forge an alliance

James M Dorsey A major Muslim and Evangelical organization joined forces this week to significantly advance hitherto state-backed ceremonial inter-faith dialogues that seldom go beyond platitudes and lofty statements. This week’s launch at a Washington DC mosque of an inter-faith alliance and a book published by the Institute for Humanitarian Islam and the Germany-based World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) as well as the Center for Shared Civilizational Values constitutes an […]

World’s recoverable oil 9% slimmer

Rystad Energy’s world’s energy landscape review for 2021 deals a major blow for the size of the world’s remaining recoverable oil resources – but it also shows that oil production and consumption can align with climate goals. Rystad Energy now estimates total recoverable oil resources at 1,725 billion barrels, a significant reduction of last year’s estimate of 1,903 billion barrels. Out of this total, which shows our […]

Dubai Collection launches first art partnership

Arabian Post Staff Dubai Collection has announced details of the first artworks to be accepted into the recently launched initiative, designed to build an institutional art collection for the Emirate of Dubai through a new and innovative partnership model. Dubai Collection is a community-led and collaborative scheme that allows patrons to lend their works while retaining legal ownership, in addition to benefitting from expert advice to support […]

Fuel divide among Gulf states

by James M. Dorsey Personality as well as the conflation of genuine national interest with personal ambition contribute to the widening gap between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It was only a matter of time before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would want to come out on his own and no longer be seen as the protégé of his erstwhile mentor and Emirati counterpart, […]

Pak PM’s ultra-conservative inklings

By James M Dorsey Widely seen as a populist with ultra-conservative inklings, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan increasingly appears to reinforce widespread traditionalist attitudes that reject religious tolerance as well as the rights of women and minorities. In doing so, Mr. Khan is aligning Pakistan in religious and social terms closer to Turkey than his country’s traditional allies, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Turkish President […]

Saudi Arabia’s Social Development Bank lent $427m in H1 2021

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Social Development Bank (SDB) provided financing of SR1.6 billion ($426.6 million) to 30,000 beneficiaries during the first half of this year.SDB provided financial and

Saudi deputy defense minister discuses Yemen, Horn of Africa with US

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with the US National Security Council’s coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk and US Envoy to Yemen

Tanmia IPO final offer price reached

Saudi Fransi Capital, the Financial Advisor, Lead Manager, Bookrunner and Underwriter for the Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) of Tanmiah Food Company, announces that it has successfully completed the book building process for institutional subscription to the Company’s shares, and that the coverage ratio reached 9,534%. The price of the offered shares has been set at SAR 67 per share. Saudi Fransi Capital advised that the participating institutions […]

Saudi Arabia tapping reserves to pay for rising imports, SAMA

DUBAI: The recent decline in Saudi Arabia’s foreign reserves, a measure of its ability to support its dollar-pegged currency, was partly due to a lag between import payments and export receipts, the

Emirates lays on extra Saudi flights on Sunday following suspension

RIYADH: Emirates added extra flights betwen Saudi Arabia and the UAE on Sunday after the Kingdom suspended air travel to its neighbor. It doubled flights to Riyadh and Jeddah and added a Dammam

Foundation stone laid for $880m Chinese LED project in Saudi Arabia’s

RIYADH: Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Abdullah Al-Saadan, laid the foundation stone for a SR3.3 billion ($879.8 million) factory to produce LED lighting lamps in the in

Yemen welcomes Saudi Arabia’s statement on Riyadh Agreement

DUBAI: The Yemeni government welcomed Saudi Arabia’s latest statement on the Riyadh Agreement, Yemen’s foreign minister said on Friday The Saudi statement includes a clear message to respect the

Saudis step up competition in transport, logistics sector

James M Dorsey Recent announcements by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of plans to turn the kingdom into a transportation and logistics hub that connects continents take to a new level Saudi efforts to replace the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as the Middle East’s go-to addresses. Prince Mohammed’s plans, which include the creation of a new national carrier alongside Saudia, currently the kingdom’s aviation flagship and construction of a new airport for […]

Manouvring Jerusalem’s future

By James M. Dorsey US President Joe Biden may have little appetite for Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking but seems determined to prevent some third parties from exploiting the regional stalemate to their advantage. That seems to be one message contained in ensuring that King Abdullah of Jordan will be the first Arab leader to visit the White House since Mr. Biden took office. The message takes on added significance with the […]

Saudi Sports for All Federation partners with Arabian Centers Co. to

RIYADH: The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Arabian Centers Co. to turn their malls into walking destinations for visitors in their latest

PIF appoints former Samba CEO as head of compliance

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) said it appointed Rania Nashar, former CEO of Samba Financial Group, as its head of compliance and governance, Al Arabiya reported. Nashar joined