The answer to this question is, probably not. Turkey is quite different from Iran in its modern history, domestic political system, economic structure, society, and foreign policy. Nevertheless, Turkey’s growing assertiveness in the Middle East, its slow drift away from the West in favour of closer relations with Russia and China, and its willingness to… [Read more]

Russia has arguably emerged as a key beneficiary of the current political crises in the Middle East and North Africa, mainly because events there have undermined the United States’ geopolitical position, sown divisions with NATO, and driven up oil prices. At the same time, the Japanese earthquake will probably increase Japan’s dependence on Russian energy… [Read more]

Over the past month or two, the world has been roiled by two crises: the political upheaval sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and the Japanese earthquake. Both provide opportunities for Russia to increase its global importance. The political upheaval in MENA has led to a US$20 increase in oil prices to… [Read more]

Following weeks of anti-government protests, Bahrain’s rulers have invited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to deploy 1,000 and 500 troops respectively to help stabilise the tiny Kingdom and protect its key infrastructure. Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni monarchy, but its population is 65-75% Shi’a. The Shi’a want major changes to the Kingdom’s… [Read more]

As the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) experiences its biggest shake-up in at least a generation, Business Monitor International (BMI) has just published a special report, MENA Crisis: The Key Risk To Global Recovery And Stability. The report analyses the following topics: The long-term consequences of upheaval for the Middle East and North Africa… [Read more]

Bahrain is the only Gulf Arab state to have witnessed large-scale public unrest since popular uprisings toppled the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents in recent weeks. As of Friday, 18 February, the Kingdom was bracing for more protests following the security forces’ dispersal of demonstrators in the capital Manama’s Pearl Square the previous day. The Bahraini… [Read more]

Political and economic upheaval is a regular occurrence around the world, but what makes the recent unrest in Egypt so worthy of attention is the country’s overwhelming geopolitical importance in the world. Quite simply, my colleagues and I view Egypt as a ‘pivotal state’. There is no official definition of the term ‘pivotal state’ (although… [Read more]