In 2024, the Gulf’s energy sector is poised at a critical juncture, balancing the traditional reliance on hydrocarbons with ambitious strides toward renewable energy and economic diversification amidst global economic fluctuations and regional geopolitical tensions. The Middle East played a significant role in the global energy market in 2023, navigating the delicate …
Read More »Iran Becomes A Member Of BRICS, With Hopes And Challenges
Iran officially became a member of the China-led BRICS economic organization on Monday, as it seeks to overcome the impact of US sanctions and overcome it isolation. In its policy of finding shelter under Chinese and Russian-dominated international organizations, Iran achieved full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in July 2022 and …
Read More »GCC, Iran’s Northern Neighbors Expanding Financial Ties
As Iran grapples with a severe lack of foreign investment, its Arab neighbors are increasingly channeling funds into Iran’s northern regions, boosting trade turnover. On December 17, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Azerbaijan jointly launched a substantial investment fund worth one billion dollars. This collaborative venture sees …
Read More »Gulf States’ Opportunities in Kazakhstan’s Emerging Economy and the Middle Corridor
As the world’s great powers and the GCC states cast their attention toward the region, the nations of Central Asia could play a major role in facilitating trade between Europe and China. When U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in San Francisco to patch up Sino-American …
Read More »Ripple Effects of the Gaza War: Geopolitical Strains and Energy Market Shocks
The Gaza war has exerted significant pressure not only on the geopolitical equilibrium but have also sent ripples through global trade initiatives, energy markets, particularly affecting investment strategies and operations in the oil and gas sectors within the Mediterranean region. The ongoing Israel-Gaza war has dramatically increased geopolitical tensions across …
Read More »China Leaves Iran Out Of Major Investment Projects
Despite close political relations with China, Iran has been largely left out of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative and other regional investments, amid US sanctions. China is connected to Southeast and South Asia, Central Asia, the Pacific Ocean, Africa, and Europe through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive …
Read More »The U.S.-Iran Prisoner Swap: Unraveling Impacts on Gulf Security and Oil Dynamics
The recent agreement between the United States and Iran could portend well for regional security—or it could reinforce existing divisions and promote further escalatory behavior from each side, with significant economic consequences in either case. The recently announced prisoner swap between the United States and Iran has spurred debates about how it …
Read More »The Geopolitical Chessboard: IMEC’s Role in Shaping New Balance of Power
Key Points Beyond just building infrastructure, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project has significant geopolitical relevance and can transform world power relations amid a rising regional and global rivalry for transportation corridors. The IMEC project is a game-changer since it intends to boost connection, enable sustainable growth, and revolutionize …
Read More »Saudi Arabia-Iran normalization and possible bilateral energy relations
Introduction In a breakthrough deal, brokered by China, Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed on the resumption of diplomatic relations and the mutual opening of embassies, a move that could change the balance of power in the Middle East and restore stability in the region. Under the agreement reached, the …
Read More »Iran-Saudi Agreement: In Search of Stable Oil Exports and New Relations
As a “neutral” power seeking to distance itself from the Middle East’s various geopolitical rivalries, China has supported reconciliation and peace to stabilize its access to the region’s resources. The relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia has been fraught with tension for decades, with each side accusing the other of interference in …
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