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  • After Sistani: Is There a Successor to Continue His Legacy?

    Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has become a focal point of influence, not only for Iraqi Shias, but for Shias around the world. His fatwas, or religious rulings, have changed the course of history in Iraq and the region. Now that he is 92 years old, Shia Muslims in Iraq and elsewhere are concerned about who could succeed him, particularly because he has crafted a nuanced practice of clerical authority that could be applicable only to him. And he has served as a staunch opponent to the concept of the guardianship of the jurist – vilayet e-faqih – the Islamic governance enforced in Iran.

  • Opinion: Are the battle lines being drawn in the Middle East?

    The trip was a milestone, as Moscow effectively blessed Iran's possible transformation into a nuclear-armed state. Russia has also entrusted Iran with securing their common interests in Syria, a country where both governments are allied with the Assad regime. Just as importantly, Moscow and Tehran agreed to activate their strategic pact similar to the one the latter signed last year with China, which the two sides believe is crucial towards firming up a Chinese-Russian-Iranian troika.

  • Who’s Still Buying Fossil Fuels From Russia?

    Despite looming sanctions and import bans, Russia exported $97.7 billion worth of fossil fuels in the first 100 days since its invasion of Ukraine, at an average of $977 million per day.

  • Afghanistan earthquake: ‘What do we do when another disaster hits?’ Afghans face crises on all fronts

    The slow response, exacerbated by international sanctions and decades of mismanagement, concerns people working in the humanitarian space, like Obaidullah Baheer, lecturer in Transitional Justice at the American University of Afghanistan. "This is a very patchwork, band-aid solution for a problem that we need to start thinking (about) mid to long term... what do we do when (another disaster) hits?" he told CNN by phone.

  • Can Biden’s Visit Create a Lasting Recalibration in the U.S.-Saudi Partnership? Video

    Biden is no doubt hoping to get Saudi Arabia to increase oil production and lower the cost to Americans at the pump before the November midterm elections. Additionally, with nuclear negotiations in Vienna at a seeming stalemate, Washington must look to alternative strategies to deal with Iran that will require close coordination with regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.

  • When will Egypt’s brain drain end?

    A report issued by the Egyptian Medical Syndicate has revealed that 11,586 Egyptian doctors resigned from their positions in government hospitals during the past three years in what it described as an "unprecedented brain drain." The London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper also reported recently a comment by Egyptian MP Hazem El-Gendy which revealed that half of Egypt's doctors – 110,000 out of more than 212,000 — had fled the country during the same period.

  • Can the Middle East economic outlook remain positive amid mounting market pressure?

    The report, commissioned by ICAEW and compiled by Oxford Economics, reveals that the Middle East GDP is projected to grow at 5.2 percent in 2022, an increase of 1 percentage point on Oxford Economics’ forecast three months ago. According to the report for Q2, Middle Eastern countries are having to adjust to pressures stemming from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, China’s economic slowdown, and the tightening of global market conditions.

  • Can the Middle East economic outlook remain positive amid mounting market pressure?

    The report, commissioned by ICAEW and compiled by Oxford Economics, reveals that the Middle East GDP is projected to grow at 5.2 percent in 2022, an increase of 1 percentage point on Oxford Economics’ forecast three months ago. According to the report for Q2, Middle Eastern countries are having to adjust to pressures stemming from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, China’s economic slowdown, and the tightening of global market conditions.

  • Saudi Arabia: Is Untapped Market Attractive to Hollywood After Bans?

    After much fanfare in late 2017 when the kingdom revealed it was reopening movie theaters after more than three decades, recent bans of titles like 'Lightyear' and 'Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness' for featuring LGBTQ characters could have dampened box office expectations, but Hollywood isn’t giving up on the country just yet.

  • What Do Saudis Want From Biden’s Visit?

    The other thing I hope the president has time to do is go out and see the fruits of the ambitious and courageous reforms that were ushered in with Vision 2030. I would love for him to visit a busy commercial district and see how, unlike the situation a few short years ago, women and men can freely mingle, enjoy a meal or watch some of the world’s best entertainment.