ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

Russia Ukraine crisis

Russia-Ukraine crisis: The ramifications on Europe and MENA

Midst ongoing diplomatic efforts to avert what the United States and its allies say is a potential invasion of Ukraine by Russia, let us take a look at the background of the...
bachar el-assad

Lebanon’s energy crisis: Syria is back in the game

The economic crisis in Lebanon has been deepened by an energy crisis following the drying up of imported fuel into the country. This energy crisis has made life in Lebanon acutely difficult...
navy Russia Sudan

Russian base in Sudan: An unfinished business?

Things may change between Sudan and Russia. Or not. During a visit to Moscow, Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi had said, lawmakers from his country would consider an agreement brokered by Sudan's...
Lebanon fuel shortage

Lebanon: The looming economic collapse

Basic medical facilities and emergency services won’t be able to face the crisis. It will be game over soon. "Doctors and nurses faced grave dangers as they battled in the frontlines against...
lebanon beirut explosion china

Lebanon: Beware of China’s appetite

Vultures are craving to strip the flesh from Lebanon's bones. The August 4, 2020 explosion of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate in Lebanon port, stored without adopting due safety measures was an...
beirut 2020 explosion

How “I-don’t-give-a-shitism” and corruption destroyed Beirut

Beirut was destroyed. Once again. On August 4, following a massive explosion that ravaged Beirut’s neighbourhood, including ones up to 10 km away, people in Lebanon got to know of the dangers...
1000 Lebanese Pounds

Lebanese Pound’s crisis, an opportunity in disguise?

The glamorous rate of the Lebanese Pound, artificially indexed to the US dollar for so many years, is history now. In recent months, the pressure on Lebanon’s economy is seeing a pile-up....
lebanon oil gas

Lebanon’s gas boom dead in the water?

Lebanon’s quest for gas and oil has so far yielded no meaningful results with the country’s first-ever offshore search for hydrocarbons throwing up commercially unviable results. “No matter where you turn, the...
lebanese pound banking system

Lebanon: The banking system needs reforms to stop the bleeding, not politics

Something has to change in the wonderful world of the Lebanese banking system. The manner in which Lebanon is addressing its financial crisis leaves a lot of room for improvement, with Lebanon’s...
berlin libya summit

Libya: The economic potential of a failed state

The international community knows this: Libya is a model of a failed state. But a failed state with potential. Nine years since the start of the Arab Spring, which saw a wave...