-
Zimbabwe: a coup but not a revolution. Pressure from African states has seemingly kept the process to remove Mugabe within the existing constitutional framework. This substantially increases the chances of a new leader with a similar leadership style/method. Even moderate reforms could generate substantial economic gains but the pent-up desire for change could yet lead to violence.
-
Saudi: reports in many newspapers, including the FT, claimed that some of those detained in the anti-corruption crackdown have been offered deals where they can buy freedom in return for payments totaling up to 70% of their net worth. This could net the Saudi state hundreds of billions.
-
Lebanon: higher tension levels are still being widely perceived – especially on the border with Israel.
-
US-Yemen: unfreezing of assets controlled by pro-Saudi government forces ignores human rights.
Recent Comments