Risk Watch
Kuwait’s parliament has overwhelmingly passed in first reading an amended labour law....
There are indications that Al Qaeda may be planning to carry out attacks in Kuwait. US authorities have warned their citizens of possible attacks against western civilians....
The attempted assassination of Prince Mohammed bin Nayef by Al Qaeda confirms that Al Qaeda and the traditionalist camp within the regime have more differences than there is common between them....
Dubai government-owned companies have embarked on major reforms and restructuring, as well as panic selling of assets....
Oman announced plans to privatize and expand its electricity generation. Both moves will help Oman achieve its diversification plans for 2020....
Fighting between Yemeni forces and Houthi rebels continue in the north, with accusations that the Saudis and Iranians supporting the opposing sides....
The new Bulgarian government focused its first efforts on revealing corrupt practices of its forerunners. Measures to address the negative economic situation in the country started to be undertaken...
The 0.3 percent Czech GDP-growth (comparing to the previous three months) was communicated as a success and as the first sign of the recovery, but it would be blindfolded to assume an upcoming trend....
Foreign investment in Macedonia fell 50% Jan-May 2009 y-o-y. This trend adds weight and pressure to the criticisms against PM Gruevski’s government that it cannot handle the crisis well....
Jailing a Macedonian resident with Bulgarian citizenship is causing diplomatic tensions between the two countries....
Poland continues to be the most mildly affected economy in the region by the crisis, although the government’s attempts to plug the holes in the budget could sharpen the political conflicts....
Romania and the IMF amended the loan deal to allow for a larger budget deficit. However, the intensifying campaign before the upcoming presidential elections can further delay stabilizing measures....
The presidential candidates’ campaign went on also during the stay of the IMF mission in Bucharest....
Slovakia's GDP shrank by 5.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2009. ...
Robert Fico decided to ignore the agreement between the ruling coalition parties on ministry appointments after dismissing the Environment Minister....
The UAE has scrapped the requirements for new companies to have a minimum capital of Dh 150,000. This will contribute to encouraging new businesses and entrepreneurs to set-up in the UAE....
The start of the pilgrimage season in Saudi Arabia will likely see a surge in swine flu infections in the kingdom, threatening public health and the economy....
The start of the “sixth” civil war in Saada will stretch the resources of the government even further. The government is being gradually weakened and it seems it is in need of foreign assistance....
A well-publicized film festival canceled at the last minute. This indicates that traditionalists within the royal family are still willing to appease the more extreme religious elements...
Yemen will start shipping Liquefied Natural Gas from Balhaf. The Total-led project will generate significant income for the Yemeni government, which is struggling with dwindling oil resources....