GULF COUNTRIES
Analyst
Justin Alexander
Former Economic Advisor, Qatar Finance MinistryDatabanks
Recent Country Insights
IRAQ: Trump speaks out against Maliki’s bid to return as PM, while the fiscal crisis deepens
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 29 Jan 2026
* Former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki is attempting a comeback, but government formation stalled this week with Kurds divided on the presidency, and Trump spoke out against Maliki. * The parliament is highly fragmented, between and within sectarian groups. As a result, government formation can ...
GULF WEEKLY: Humain and G42 advance AI plans, Gulf joins Board of Peace, Syria takes Rojava
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 23 Jan 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Oil ticked up a little to $65 as Trump mentioned the "armada" headed towards Iran. * GCC debt security issuance rose 14% in 2025, comprising 35% of EMs (ex-China). * Chinese bank lending to the GCC was $16bn in 2025, as ...
GULF WEEKLY: Iran protests subside, Saudi minerals deals, Oman cabinet reshuffle
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 16 Jan 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Oil touched a two-month high of $66 when Iran-US tensions peaked mid-week, then eased. * At least 3,000 were killed in Iran, but Trump backed off plans for military action, for now at least. * The US did announce a 25% ta...
GULF WEEKLY: Saudi bonds, Tadawul opens to all foreigners, Oman financial center plans, protests intensify in Iran
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 09 Jan 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The oil market digested the implications of Venezuela developments and the major protests in Iran. * OPEC+ held steady, but Kazakhstan’s overproduction could average 65% in H1, prompting a crisis. * Saudi-backed forces to...
South Yemen separatists suffer dramatic reversal, as Saudi-backed forces advance on Aden
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 07 Jan 2026 · 1 response
In the last few days, the Saudi-backed forces of Yemen's government have made rapid advances against South Yemen separatists, who had seemed on the cusp of an independence bid. This now seems to be off the cards, and the government forces may soon retake Aden, Yemen's second city, which has been ...
GULF WEEKLY: Bahrain announces fiscal reforms, Oman projects small deficits until 2030, South Yemen clashes continue
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 02 Jan 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Clashes in Yemen between UAE and Saudi-backed forces continued today. * Saudi Arabia’s current account deficit continued for a fifth quarter in Q3, narrowing to -2.6% of GDP. * Aramco reduced diesel subsidies, hiking the ...
Yemen conflict strains UAE-Saudi relations: events, outlook and implications
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 02 Jan 2026
* Saudi Arabia demanded that UAE-backed South Yemen separatists withdraw from the east. * It launched airstrikes on STC positions and on a military shipment from the UAE. * The UAE’s decision to withdraw its counterterrorism forces from Yemen may de-escalate bilateral tensions. * However, the ...
GULF WEEKLY: UAE non-oil growth soars, MGX buys into TikTok, IMF visits Kuwait, Oman-India CEPA signed
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 19 Dec 2025
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Brent crude fell below $60 for the first time in nearly five years, despite the US blockade of Venezuela. * China’s foreign minister, visiting Saudi Arabia and the UAE, called for progress on an FTA with the GCC. * Saudi ...
GULF WEEKLY: Oman upgraded, rates cut, SABIC quits Duqm project, STC advances in Yemen
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 12 Dec 2025
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The GCC mirrored the US -25bp cut; policy rates now range from 3.5% (Kuwait) to 4.5% (Bahrain). * Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi are pitching in $24bn to Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. * Saudi non-oil GDP growth of 4...