Disruption in the Hormuz can have major implications for global trade, but it also creates opportunities for smaller nations like Iran to become global political players
Across MENA, the proliferation of militias combines corruption, smuggling, looting, intimidation, and parasitism to swell their coffers at the expense of state treasuries.
Wherever you look, there are problems in the world's major trade arteries, with the worst ripple effects yet to be felt. Despite this, more disarray may follow.
The Egyptian Pound is weak, and the country is losing income from Houthi missiles, causing ships to avoid the Suez Canal. The timing is bad, as Cairo asks the IMF for $750mn in loans.
There is growing unemployment after Israel revoked work permits and withheld tax revenue from the PA. Meanwhile, it continues its brutal war on Gaza, heightening emotions at a tense time.
As the world moves away from oil, the region must move its national economies into a new era. But for most states, their starting position is far from ideal. Where and how should they change?
Washington has finally woken up to the importance of developing this vital region, with Nigeria showing the greatest investment potential — in the trillions.
An $8bn project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone shows Egypt's ambitions to become a global leader in green hydrogen. But with high set-up costs and a huge debt burden, Cairo can't yet go at it alone.
'Telegram 29' shows Algeria's determination to win out in a bitter battle with Morocco to control lucrative trade flows in a vital strategic region at a time of wider turmoil
Disruption in the Hormuz can have major implications for global trade, but it also creates opportunities for smaller nations like Iran to become global political players
The Iraq war was viewed as disastrous in retrospect, while the Iran war was unpopular from the get-go. Al Majalla highlights the similarities and differences between the two.
Pipelines have a chequered history in the Middle East, but the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led US Tom Barrack to conclude that a new route through Syria could solve some problems.