Risk Watch
Tensions continue to rise in Bahrain as local Shiites continue their demonstration against the government’s detention of leading Shiite activists in the run-up to the parliamentary elections....
Al Qaeda in Yemen appears to have infiltrated the security forces in the south as the group strengthens its grip in areas in south Yemen....
Kuwait’s announcement that it intends to launch its nuclear program this year is a significant step in the country’s efforts to tackle its chronic and severe power shortages. ...
An increased break-even price of oil for Bahrain has prompted a major credit rating agency to downgrade the country’s credit rating. ...
Bahrain has arrested four leading Shiite activists and riots have been reported all over the country, in predominantly Shiite areas. The government imposed a media ban....
The announcement that Dubai World will be prepared to sell its “prized assets” to pay off its debt indicates the government-owned entity has been unable to secure support from Abu Dhabi....
Confirmation that the Japanese tanker hit in the Strait of Hormuz last month was by a suicide bomber indicates that there is an increased Al Qaeda activity in the GCC....
Fighting between Al Qaeda and the Yemeni government has escalated to levels not seen before. The government publically acknowledged that the Al Qaeda threat is now country-wide....
An edict by Saudi King Abdullah to control the issue of fatwas in the country will be an important step to regularizing the issuance of fatwas, many of which used by Al Qaeda terrorists....
Saudi’s announced five-year development plan is a very good step in helping diversify the economy and address the growing concern of an increasingly impoverished local population....
The call by an Al Qaeda Saudi leader reaffirms the organization’s position calling their supporters to kill Christians and Saudi royals....
The release on bail of Israeli suspect implicated in the forging of passports allegedly used in the assassination of the Hamas leader in Dubai has embarrassed the UAE authorities....
A survey has revealed over 85% of UAE residents have personal debts of over US $135,000 each....
Discoveries of gas in various Yemen governorates will help the country generate more income as its oil resources, the main source of income, rapidly dwindle....
The announcements by Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman that they do not intend to ban the BlackBerry from operating in their territories are good in demonstrating their commitment to business-friendliness....
The Saudi determination to reform and modernize the judicial system through the codification of Sharia law is a very positive step in reforming the country....
Repeated and prolonged power cuts in the UAE emirate of Sharjah has damaged the emirates' economy....
Dubai's announcement that it plans to start a stock market for small and medium size companies is a good move in consolidating Dubai's position....
The UAE government announced that “BlackBerry is operating beyond the reach of UAE law”, casting doubt on the future of the popular mobile e-mail and messaging service in the Emirates....
The truce between the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government appears to be cracking after several days of fighting....