Cross-border Information

20/09/2021

Kuwait: Cabinet reshuffle rumoured amid reform hopes

There is growing speculation that a cabinet reshuffle is imminent, which would be the third change of senior government personnel since 2019. At least four portfolios are likely to change hands, including a new finance minister to take over from Khalifa Al-Hamadah, who tendered his resignation in August, apparently due to unhappiness at being marginalised in the selection of new board members at Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA). http://ow.ly/HtZT50Gd2y0

20/09/2021

Russia provides an authoritarian alternative in vacuum left by US retreat

From buoying up oil markets to increased security co-operation, regional governments appear keen to engage with Russia, as Moscow steps up its interactions while Washington continues to draw down its presence. http://ow.ly/m0NW50GcUcs

From buoying up oil markets to increased security co-operation, regional governments appear keen to engage with Russia, as Moscow steps up its interactions while Washington continues to draw down its presence. President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian, transactional regime is courting leaders from ...

13/09/2021

Take a look at the latest episode of the African Energy podcast which discusses at a number of stories from last week's issue of the African Energy publication: http://ow.ly/lneJ50G8W8I

In this episode of the African Energy podcast, Jon Marks begins by describing the diplomatic fall out between Morocco and Algeria along with the resulting co...

09/09/2021

Iraqi Kurdistan: KRG shelves gas projects leaving Genel in a mood to dispute

Genel Energy has countered the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s notice of its intention to terminate production-sharing contracts (PSCs) to develop the Bina Bawi and Miran natural gas fields with action to resolve a move for which Genel on 20 August said there were “no grounds”. http://ow.ly/627B50G6Wz0

08/09/2021

Preparations for the first Shura Council elections have been overshadowed by a dispute over restrictive citizenship rules which will exclude many Qataris from taking part. http://ow.ly/TB0J50G5iQ2

07/09/2021

Oman/Saudi Arabia: Governments explore support options

Following what GSN has been told was “a remarkable meeting of minds” during Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said’s discussions with King Salman Abdelaziz at Neom on 11 July, both sides appear to be pushing to deepen bilateral economic ties. http://ow.ly/qO6t50G5nGQ

Following what GSN has been told was “a remarkable meeting of minds” during Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said’s discussions with King Salman Abdelaziz at Neom on 11 July, both sides appear to be pushing to deepen bilateral economic ties.

07/09/2021

Preparations for the first Shura Council elections have been overshadowed by a dispute over restrictive citizenship rules which will exclude many Qataris from taking part. http://ow.ly/WisK50G5iGV

07/09/2021

Qatar pulls soft power levers to emerge from Afghan wreckage as a key player

Afghanistan confirmed its historical role as a graveyard of empires, as the US and its allies departed with haste in August, leaving behind fearful millions of Afghans after a botched exercise in nation-building. Global reputations lie in tatters but a few players have enhanced their reputations, led by Qatar which has made itself useful to all the main actors. Meanwhile the Taliban takeover in Kabul provides another litmus test for geopolitical relationships and popular sentiments across the region. http://ow.ly/EDlb50G5hNG

18/08/2021

Confronted by the challenges posed of bringing people together during a period of continued global health, the organisers of the Africa Energy Forum (aef) and Africa Investment Exchange (AIX): Power & Renewables have agreed to work in parallel to hold their industry-leading events in London during the week of 15-19 November. http://ow.ly/4pPH50FTnkB

05/08/2021

Deadline looms in $140m claim on UAE

Two of the UAE’s largest banks, Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, have until 30 July to reach a settlement with Qatar, in one of the largest claims to have been brought at the High Court of England and Wales – with damages of “over £100m” ($140m) sought. http://ow.ly/yjDG50FL2Yz

 Two of the UAE’s largest banks, Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, have until 30 July to reach a settlement with Qatar, in one of the largest claims to have been brought at the High Court of England and Wales – with damages of “over £100m” ($140m) sought.

05/08/2021

Three accused of acting as Emirati agents to influence Trump campaign and policy

The UAE is facing an embarrassing diplomatic situation in the United States, after a seven-count indictment was unsealed in a New York federal court on 20 July. This accused Thomas Barrack, Matthew Grimes and UAE national Rashid Sultan Rashid Al-Malik Al-Shahhi of working with unnamed senior UAE officials to influence then-candidate Donald Trump’s foreign policy during the 2016 presidential campaign and thereafter his administration’s programme once Trump was elected. http://ow.ly/vxxr50FKURL

The UAE is facing an embarrassing diplomatic situation in the United States, after a seven-count indictment was unsealed in a New York federal court on 20 July. This accused Thomas Barrack, Matthew Grimes and UAE national Rashid Sultan Rashid Al-Malik Al-Shahhi of working with unnamed senior UAE off...

04/08/2021

Iraq: US ends combat mission

The United States announced an end to combat missions in Iraq by 31 December, following several days of meetings with Iraqi figures in Washington in late July. In April the US had said it planned to take the step, but did not set a date. http://ow.ly/eUUf50FKbTC

04/08/2021

Abu Dhabi-made guided bomb appears in Egypt

The extent of co-operation between the UAE and Egypt was evident during a recent training exercise involving all elements of the Egyptian armed forces, which featured UAE-made guided bombs. Exercise Qader 21 was held to coincide with the opening of the 3 July Naval Base at Ras Gargoub, some 300km west of Alexandria. http://ow.ly/6TFe50FK0RM

The extent of co-operation between the UAE and Egypt was evident during a recent training exercise involving all elements of the Egyptian armed forces, which featured UAE-made guided bombs. Exercise Qader 21 was held to coincide with the opening of the 3 July Naval Base at Ras Gargoub, some 300km we...

03/08/2021

Abu Dhabi and Saudi crown princes try to mend fences

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and UAE Armed Forces deputy supreme commander Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) travelled to Riyadh on 19 July for talks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), following a period of public tensions between the two formerly close allies. http://ow.ly/PkKk50FJngT

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and UAE Armed Forces deputy supreme commander Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) travelled to Riyadh on 19 July for talks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), following a period of public tensions between the two formerly close allies.

03/08/2021

Saudi sovereign wealth: What the PIF wants, the PIF gets

Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS)’s favoured vehicle for implementing economic change and promoting new-look Saudi values, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has proved a source of fascination for foreign analysts and consultants as it transitioned from a fusty state investor into the developer of ‘giga-projects’ and much more. http://ow.ly/oqO250FJeu9

02/08/2021

Pegasus affair raises uncomfortable questions

The list continues to grow of individuals believed to have been targeted by Gulf governments using Pegasus spyware made by the Israeli company NSO Group. It now includes slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée Hatice Cengiz, dissident Dubai royal Princess Haya, Iraq’s President Barham Salih and founder of Qatar’s BeIN Media Group Nasser Al-Khelaifi. http://ow.ly/MjpE50FIAkR

The list continues to grow of individuals believed to have been targeted by Gulf governments using Pegasus spyware made by the Israeli company NSO Group. It now includes slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée Hatice Cengiz, dissident Dubai royal Princess Haya, Iraq’s President Barham Salih ...

02/08/2021

Saudi Arabia’s biggest construction projects are being heavily promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and funded by his Public Investment Fund despite pressures to cut state spending elsewhere. All of this is in line with his efforts to change the economy and the image of Saudi Arabia – while taking a share of the profits too – but as a Special Report in the latest issue of Gulf States Newsletter shows, it is the old guard that are winning orders for the ‘mega-projects’, with contracts flowing to some of the kingdom’s most well-established contractors. http://ow.ly/zGwP50FIp9b

22/07/2021

- Free article - Riyadh and Abu Dhabi become a coalition of the less willing

Differences between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and his Emirati counterpart, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) have been mounting ever since Riyadh led the way towards reconciliation with Qatar at the Al-Ula summit in January. http://ow.ly/pVut50FBmc7

Differences between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and his Emirati counterpart, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) have been mounting ever since Riyadh led the way towards reconciliation with Qatar at the Al-Ula summit in January.

21/07/2021

Oman/Yemen: Haitham focuses on security in Houthi talks

The visit by Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said to Saudi Arabia has focused attention once again on the role the sultanate could play in bringing the Yemen war to an end. Oman has long positioned itself as a neutral player, hosting Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abd Al-Salam in Muscat and regularly receiving international delegations. Dozens of Yemeni tribal leaders and businessmen base in the sultanate and Iranian officials like foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif often meet Houthi representatives in Muscat. http://ow.ly/oxDg50FAD4u

The visit by Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said to Saudi Arabia has focused attention once again on the role the sultanate could play in bringing the Yemen war to an end. Oman has long positioned itself as a neutral player, hosting Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abd Al-Salam in Muscat and regularly rece...

21/07/2021

Oman/Saudi Arabia: Haitham forges a new relationship with Riyadh

Both Saudi Arabia and Oman seemed keen to play up the significance of Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said’s visit to Neom, although for now the bilateral relationship is still mostly defined by the future potential gains that could accrue to both sides. Sultan Haitham arrived at Neom Bay Airport on 11 July on his first trip abroad since taking office in January 2020. http://ow.ly/I2jo50FAphJ

Both Saudi Arabia and Oman seemed keen to play up the significance of Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said’s visit to Neom, although for now the bilateral relationship is still mostly defined by the future potential gains that could accrue to both sides. Sultan Haitham arrived at Neom Bay Airport o...

20/07/2021

Saudi Aramco divests and borrows to maintain dividends and invest in priorities

Officials are adamant the sale and leasing of assets, and a steady flow of huge bond issues, are not being done to maintain Aramco’s $75bn annual dividend – and major new investments are planned that will need funding – but the oil giant is clearly under pressure to maintain its position as the state’s cash-cow. http://ow.ly/DWjX50FzLgX

Officials are adamant the sale and leasing of assets, and a steady flow of huge bond issues, are not being done to maintain Aramco’s $75bn annual dividend – and major new investments are planned that will need funding – but the oil giant is clearly under pressure to maintain its position as th...

20/07/2021

Qatar: Deal to base aircraft in Turkey brings two militaries ever closer

Qatar and Turkey have signed a technical agreement allowing Doha to station a mixed fleet of fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters at the Turkish Air Force Base at Konya in central Anatolia. The agreement is valid for five years and was signed in March, but has only come to light in recent weeks. http://ow.ly/4Nnq50FzElr

20/07/2021

Hizbollah targets Lebanese expatriates in the Gulf

Lebanon’s Hizbollah has embarked on a more assertive stance towards the Gulf states, targeting the UAE and Bahrain over their normalisation with Israel. The Iran-backed group has been using Lebanon’s laws criminalising contact with Israelis (including Israeli companies) to attack the Abraham Accords signed between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel in 2020. It has warned the estimated 300,000 Lebanese citizens resident in the UAE and Bahrain that they could face jail or worse if they connect with a visiting Israeli. http://ow.ly/MBad50Fzzju

Lebanon’s Hizbollah has embarked on a more assertive stance towards the Gulf states, targeting the UAE and Bahrain over their normalisation with Israel. The Iran-backed group has been using Lebanon’s laws criminalising contact with Israelis (including Israeli companies) to attack the Abraham Acc...

19/07/2021

Kuwait emir’s absence creates vacuum

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah remains in Germany where he is undergoing medical treatments and tests, sources told GSN. Sheikh Nawaf, who was sworn in late last year, travelled to Germany on 24 June. He has suffered complications from stomach cancer for many years and continues to receive regular stem cell and other treatments to stay relatively healthy. http://ow.ly/QlC150FyY6d

19/07/2021

Gulf alliances start to shift, from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh to Muscat

Crown princes Mohammed Bin Salman and Mohammed Bin Zayed were once close partners but appear now to be competing as much as co-operating. In contrast, Qatar and Oman have been moving closer to a Saudi leadership keen to develop a better international reputation. This feeds into Muscat’s approach to Yemen, where Sultan Haitham has sought to guard Omani security via direct talks with the Houthis. http://ow.ly/mxsV50FyLbw

Crown princes Mohammed Bin Salman and Mohammed Bin Zayed were once close partners but appear now to be competing as much as co-operating. In contrast, Qatar and Oman have been moving closer to a Saudi leadership keen to develop a better international reputation. This feeds into Muscat’s approach t...

06/07/2021

Iraq: BP plans rejig of operations at Rumaila

BP is planning to hive off its operations at the 1.5m b/d Rumaila oil field into a new stand-alone company jointly owned by its partner China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), in a move which seems to mimics the UK major’s recently announced venture in Angola with Italy’s Eni. http://ow.ly/LcJi50Fpy6M

05/07/2021

Houthis answer US sanctions with bank seizure, extending their economic control

Yemen’s war economy continues to drive the armed conflict and influence the pace of ceasefire negotiations. While political negotiations continue, Houthi leaders are securing their long-term economic interests. http://ow.ly/D1uz50Fp4uk

05/07/2021

Houthis answer US sanctions with bank seizure, extending their economic control

Yemen’s war economy continues to drive the armed conflict and influence the pace of ceasefire negotiations. While political negotiations continue, Houthi leaders are securing their long-term economic interests. The United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned a network of financiers and smugglers linked to the Sanaa-based Houthis on 10 June. http://ow.ly/IlC450FoXyx

05/07/2021

Iran and the region prepare for hardline President-elect Raeisi

Never has an Iranian presidential victory been so widely predicted, reflecting the supreme leader’s efforts to exert an even tighter grip. The Islamic Republic’s incoming eighth president faces formidable domestic and international challenges, with his task made no easier by the relatively weak mandate given by a heavily-engineered election. Ebrahim Raeisi is undoubtedly hard line, and will maintain Iran’s missile and other military build-up despite the cost but this does not necessarily mean the JCPOA nuclear deal is dead. http://ow.ly/ElXu50FoUG8

Never has an Iranian presidential victory been so widely predicted, reflecting the supreme leader’s efforts to exert an even tighter grip. The Islamic Republic’s incoming eighth president faces formidable domestic and international challenges, with his task made no easier by the relatively weak ...

24/06/2021

: Hamad Bin Jassim's renewed criticism of neighbours

Former Qatari prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim Bin Jaber Al-Thani (HBJ) had some critical words for Qatar’s neighbours in a series of tweets on 6 June, the day after the fourth anniversary of the start of the boycott by , and the in 2017, which only ended in January. http://ow.ly/en3J50Fhrm7