EMerging Equity
GULF
Why $10 Barrel Crude Oil Might Become Reality
The United States has accumulated record volumes of crude oil in reserves, now hovering like the sword of Damocles over the global energy markets and the world’s several petrocracies. By Sputnik News Global oil prices dipped this past week, ending a month-long rebound, which some observers had seen as a good sign for both the corrupt petrocracies around the … Continue reading
Plummeting Oil Prices: Factors Pushing Them Further Down
A recent surge in the price of oil is simply a “head-fake,” and oil as cheap as $20 a barrel could be around the corner in 2015, according to report from Citigroup that was released on Monday, February 9th. In Citigroup’s report, Edward Morse – the firm’s global head of commodity research – said that … Continue reading
In Saudi Arabia, Could An Adversary Become A Partner?
By Stratfor Global Intelligence In spite of recent media leaks and statements, it is unlikely that Saudi Arabia will strategically alter its opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood. The rhetorical softening of the new monarch’s position toward the Islamist movement is instead part of efforts to better manage Saudi Arabia’s regional challenges. In order to effectively … Continue reading
Putin And The Mideast’s Middleman: Egypt’s Strategic Game
By Andrew Korybko The Russian President’s visit last week to Egypt signified that both countries are eager to restore the closeness of their former Nasser-era ties. The deepening partnership between the two has the possibility to qualitatively transform the region, with the ‘Arab Yugoslavia’ serving as a conduit for advancing Russian interests at the expense … Continue reading
When It Comes To ISIS, Obama Is Utterly Clueless – OpEd
The most savage group of Islamic terrorists that any of us have ever seen has taken over large portions of Iraq, Syria and Libya. As they go along, they are gleefully beheading, crucifying and torching innocent civilians. They believe that they are living in the end times, and that they are part of a great … Continue reading
Saudi’s Privileged Status In US Foreign Policy – Motion For Dismissal – OpEd
For thirteen years through legal cases attempting to show Saudi financial support of al Qaeda, and thus bearing at least some responsibility for 9/11, the US court system, the Executive, and in fact the whole apparatus of the government, have played hard-ball, resisting evidence even though the issue directly affects the causation of a seminal … Continue reading
Sanctions Push Russian Banks Toward Islamic Finance
By Ben Aris Cut off from Western capital markets, Russia is stepping up efforts to tap into the huge pools of capital in the Middle East by issuing Islam’s answer to bonds, sukuk, which are not subject to Western sanctions. Sukuk are especially attractive for Russia following its downgrade to junk status by rating agency Standard & … Continue reading
Shinzo Abe’s Middle East Ambition
By Kai Schulze After his victory in the December 2014 elections, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged to turn Japan into ‘one of the greatest powers in the world’ by implementing the new foreign policy approach of ‘proactive pacifism’. Abe is seeking to foster Japanese international engagement, which will increasingly reach beyond the regional … Continue reading
Saudi Arabia: S&P Lowers Outlook On Oil Price Negative Trend
S&P Rating agency has lowered the outlook for Saudi Arabia to negative at the back of sliding oil prices. The country is the world’s top oil exporter. The agency maintained its sovereign credit rating for the kingdom due to the country’s very solid fiscal condition and despite the substantial deficit planned. S&P also stated that “… … Continue reading
New Bureaucratic Restructuring In Saudi Oil Powerhouse
After scrapping the Supreme Council for Petroleum and Minerals, King Salman of Saudi Arabia gives his sons for key positions for oil oversight in the kingdom. By Ovunc Kutlu Saudi Arabia’s King Salman empowers two of his sons for key positions after abolishing the supreme council of petroleum, as new bureaucratic streamlining takes place in … Continue reading
