ICDS to Participate in Pivotal Energy Disputes Conference in London
The International Center for Development Studies (ICDS) will participate in the 8th Annual conference on Energy Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in the Middle East and Africa, taking place on June 12–13, 2025, at the prestigious London offices of Herbert Smith…
Is the global economy at a crossroads?
The global economy, having overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, now faces new and accelerating obstacles. Debt crises, rising inflation and interest rates, and declining trade performance have significantly pressured global economic growth, diminishing opportunities anticipated by investors…
Iraq on the Global Investment Map
Iraq’s market is undergoing rapid transformations that reflect the vitality of its economy and its growing ability to attract international investments across diverse sectors. In this issue of Iraq Business Update, we highlight a new wave of expansions led by…
Storm Surge: Economic Fallout of Hurricane Milton
Quick Reading: Hurricanes that have struck the US over the past two decades have caused over $1 trillion in damages. Although the total number of hurricanes from 2003 to 2023 has not significantly increased, their intensity has shown a notable…
Iraq on the Rise
Iraq is undergoing a remarkable transformation across key sectors—from real estate and hospitality to energy and education. With global hotel chains establishing a presence, international firms like Chestertons expanding into Baghdad, and strategic partnerships such as Siemens Energy’s engagement in…
Iraq’s Investment Surge
The tides of economic transformation are gaining momentum in Iraq. From billion-dollar real estate ventures to sweeping infrastructure upgrades, the country is undergoing a redefinition of its investment landscape. In this edition, we spotlight a wave of major developments that…
Have Syrians Escaped the Specter of Division?
By Mohammad Ammar Khaled Al-Saeed* Yesterday, Syrians celebrated what many described as a national milestone, if not a dream come true—the downfall of the tyrant who fled the country after years of oppressive rule. Yet, while the people’s uprising succeeded…
The New Financial Capital of the Middle East
From Choice to Strategic Financial Hub Abu Dhabi is anticipated to emerge as the financial capital of the Middle East within the next decade. This prediction is based on the diversity of its capital markets, robust banking infrastructure, and flexible…
France’s Strategic Shift in the Middle East: Navigating Ties with Iraq Post-Coalition Withdrawal
France’s New Approach As its political and military influence wanes in Africa, France seeks to bolster its presence in the Middle East, specifically Iraq. While Iraqi Prime Minister Muhamad Shia Al-Sudani called for the international coalition, led by the United…
The Impact of Red Sea Tensions on the Global Economy
The Red Sea in the Spotlight Since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza, escalating events suggest a widening scope of the conflict to encompass broader regions in the Middle East. Daily military incidents along the Lebanese border, missile strikes, and…
Will Iraq’s Economy Escape the Ramifications of the Gaza War?
Confronting the factions The aftermath of the recent war in Gaza has quickly expanded to encompass other countries in the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. American bases in both Syria and Iraq witnessed multiple missile and drone attacks…
The war in Gaza undermines the Prospects of the Economic Corridor
The war in Gaza poses a significant challenge to the reshaping of economic corridors in the Middle East. The India to Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which extends from India through Israel, clearly clashes with the security factor, considered essential by…
Catastrophic Ramifications of Armed Conflict in Africa
The reverberations following the coup in Niger, which led to the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum, have ignited a spectrum of international responses. The United States and the European Union have unequivocally underscored the imperative of restoring President…
Abu Dhabi: The Future Global Capital for Renewable Energy
By 2050, the UAE aims to rely entirely on clean and renewable energy sources for its energy consumption, marking a significant transition despite its prominent hydrocarbon industry and vast oil and natural gas reserves. The country has made notable strides…
Digitalization: The way to carbon neutral economy
Digitization plays an important role in our lives. In addition to its great role in analyzing data and benefiting from it in most aspects of economic, social and scientific life, it also contributes to providing a flexible, efficient and carbon-free…