The Arab Uprisings
In scenes reminiscent of Eastern Europe during the fall of Communism 20 years ago, people are taking to the streets across the Arab world following the toppling of Tunisia's Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. MEED follows the action across the region.
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments by signing up for MEED's Hot Topics newsletter - The Call for Change.
Political News from MEED
Iran to increase transparency on nuclear programme – Rouhani
President-elect says Tehran ready to work towards “constructive interaction”
Kuwait court orders dissolution of parliament
Controversial electoral law upheld by constitutional court
Hassan Rouhani storms Iran presidential election
Moderate reformist candidate avoids run-off as hardline conservative vote split between several runners
Dubai growth hit 4.4 per cent in 2012
Emirate’s economy grew faster last year than in 2011
Qatar prepares for power transition
Incumbent emir could be close to stepping down as ruler of Qatar
Independence of Iraqi Kurdistan is 'inevitable'
Former US ambassador says Kurds want independence from Iraq
President Mursi voices concern over Ethiopia dam
Egyptian leader Mursi says the country’s water security cannot be violated
Reformist candidate drops out of Iran presidential election
Majority of remaining candidates in race are conservatives
Minister says KRG will not be the reason for Iraq breaking up
Seven point agreement signed with Baghdad
Rera says Dubai property market does not need more regulation
Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority head says “10 to 20 per cent speculation is OK”
Baghdad and Erbil take steps to ease tensions
Following a period of tension between central government and Iraqi Kurdistan
Governance in the Middle East
Iran looks to avoid repeat of 2009 in presidential election
Tehran’s tight control of the presidential election means the poll will not necessarily say much about the popularity of the regime
Abu Dhabi turns focus westwards
The Western Region of Abu Dhabi, also known as Al-Gharbia, is being targeted as a new development proposition, with investment across many sectors earmarked for the area
All change in Kuwait oil sector
Project delays likely following massive shake-up in the country’s most vital industry
Infighting divides ruling coalition in Morocco
Disagreements between the two largest parties in power is threatening to derail Morocco’s government
Syria war stokes Iraq sectarianism
Rising violence in Iraq leads to fears of new sectarian conflict between Shias and Sunnis
Visitor slump hits high-end hotels in Lebanon
Political uncertainty is deterring Gulf Arabs from visiting Lebanon, hurting high-end hoteliers and retailers, but refugees from Syria are mitigating the impact on the economy
Algeria looks beyond Bouteflika
Poor health may hasten the long-time Algerian president’s departure from power, fuelling speculation about a successor
Baghdad's first integrated refining project
Iraq hopes to make its first integrated refining project a model for further investment
Syrian opposition struggles with factionalism
Syrians who rose up against the Al-Assad regime have been let down by a fragmented opposition
Fears of renewed instability in Beirut
Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s resignation throws the country into uncertainty at a crucial time when the unrest in Syria threatens domestic politics
Vision 2020: MEED Special Edition
The Middle East in the coming decade
While political reform, technology and China will be important factors shaping the region in 2020, the push to establish a sustainable, diversified economy will remain key to growth in the next 10 years
Market Risk Report
The outlook for business in the Middle East
In the few weeks since the uprisings began, economists have been forced to revise their growth projections for the region
Country Profiles
Bahrain Country Profile
Bahrain is a small island in the Gulf sea, located off the coast of Saudi Arabia. The country’s name means Two Seas in Arabic. It was the first of the GCC states to discover oil in 1932 and since then the kingdom of Bahrain has frequently led the region in economic development
Tunisia country profile
Located on the coast of North Africa, almost half of Tunisia’s border is with the Mediterranean
Libya country profile
Libya is located on the northern coast of Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea
Algeria country profile
The second largest country in Africa, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is bordered by Tunisia in the northeast, Libya in the east, Niger in the southeast, Mali in the southwest, Mauritania and the Western Sahara in the west and Morocco in the northwest
Egypt country profile
The Arab Republic of Egypt is located in North Africa and oversees the Suez Canal, which is a vital trade route in Middle East connecting the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
Yemen country profile
Yemen was unified in 1990, precipitating a four-year struggle for power between the old parties of the north and south
Jordan Country Profile
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was founded by King Abdullah I after First World War It was ruled by his grandson, the late King Hussein, for 46 years until his death in 1999, when his son King Abdullah II assumed the throne
Oman country profile
Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world, and is regarded as strategically important due to its position at the entrance to the Gulf
Syria country profile
Syria is made up of a diverse range of religious and ethnic groups, the majority being Arab Sunni Muslims, but with minorities including Alawites, Armenians, Assyrians and Kurds.
