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GSN’s team of experienced analysts are often called on by governments and their agencies, financial institutions, and energy companies to comment on developments in the Gulf region. Our analysts are available for private briefings (either by telephone or in person) and can produce tailored reports and research on a range of topics and issues. For more information contact Mark Ford. Email:mark@cbi-publishing.com
Politics, succession & risk in Saudi Arabia report
Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia is a GSN special report, published in January 2010. The new report analyses Saudi policy on issues including succession, domestic and regional politics, defence, energy and financial trends, and features extensively researched biographical entries on 1,200 Al-Sauds from the ruling family’s main branch, together with profiles of leading cadet branch businessmen, and a range of maps and graphics.
Read more about the report
Welcome
For over thirty seven years, GSN has been breaking news and providing informed analysis on the people, politics and resources of the Gulf region.
Our information is based on independent research and staff expertise. We are not a web-based aggregator that rehashes wire stories and press releases.
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HEADLINES
Second-round nuclear talks to test Iranian resolve
With just two weeks to go until the second round of nuclear talks with Iran, all sides are weighing their next moves. But how far has the risk of a military strike receded? more
Iran manoeuvres for influence in Iraq’s holy cities
Iran’s desire for greater control of Iraq’s Shiite establishment poses a delicate challenge for Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, who sees Iran as both a necessary ally and a potential threat to his monopoly on power more
Leading activist arrested in Bahrain
Prominent human rights activist Nabeel Rajab was arrested as he re-entered Bahrain on 5 May, on charges including inciting illegal rallies using social-networking sites and defaming the public security forces more
Rumours of Bahrain-Saudi union pick up ahead of GCC summit
As Gulf leaders prepare to meet in Riyadh on 14 May to discuss progress towards setting up a Gulf Union, there are increasing rumours of a possible merger between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as a first step towards transforming the Gulf Co-operation Council into a ‘GCC Arabian Union’ more
Sheikh Sultan still in detention at RAK ruler’s palace
On 20 April, Sheikh Sultan Bin Kayed Al-Qasimi, a member of Ras Al-Khaimah’s ruling family and chairman of the Islamist group Al-Islah, was arrested by plain-clothed security officers. It is still not clear who ordered his arrest or continuing detention at the palace of his first cousin, Ras Al-Khaimah ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi. more
Beyond the politics, discoveries spark excitement in KRG region
Foreign oil companies in the Kurdistan Regional Government region are reporting impressive finds, but the acrimonious political backdrop threatens to curdle investors’ excitement more
Foreign assets could boost GCC economies
If even a small percentage of GCC foreign assets were redirected into local economies, the impact could be enormous writes Andrew Cunningham more
Domestic instability and Eurozone crisis weigh heavy on region
With oil prices booming, 2011 should have been a year of high growth for many economies in the Gulf and wider Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. As it was, even an observer as normally cautious as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headlined its April 2012 World Economic Outlook (WEO) review of the region’s performance: ‘Growth Stalled, Outlook Uncertain’. As so often, volatile politics and shortfalls in meeting reform and governance targets are largely to blame. more
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Tracking political risk issues in the Gulf
GSN publisher Cross-border Information is a business intelligence company, providing political and commercial risk monitoring, analysis and research services focused on Africa and the Middle East.
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