Economy

Regional sovereign wealth funds are increasingly focusing on sustainability, mobilizing resources for investments in alternative energy projects and demonstrating an alignment with their respective government’s strategy for the energy transition.

A U.N. agreement lifting Central Bank of Yemen economic restrictions may inadvertently embolden the Houthis and bolster their capacity to project military power.

The boom in tourism is boosting external revenue, employment, and growth, but it is also contributing to higher imports and remittance outflows that have negatively affected the current account balance.

Rather than addressing deficiencies in social services, Iran is intensely focused on the military and security fields in developing its knowledge-based sector.

Bahrain’s post-coronavirus economic strategy positions the government as a venture capitalist, providing capital for strategic investments, but at the same time offering regulatory support for the private sector.

Even as they make heavy investment in tourism projects, including in remote areas, Gulf governments will need to ensure they do not lose sight of a camping tradition that celebrates a shared heritage tied to the region's wild places.

Recent developments in Bahrain-China ties reflect less alignment and more coincidence of interests.

Developments with the Chabahar port could turn the trade corridor into a global hub by 2030, if the project can overcome financial hurdles, risks from sanctions, and security threats.