GULF COUNTRIES
Analyst
Justin Alexander
Former Economic Advisor, Qatar Finance MinistryDatabanks
Recent Country Insights
GULF WEEKLY: Saudi bonds, Tadawul opens to all foreigners, Oman financial center plans, protests intensify in Iran
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 09 Jan 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The oil market digested the implications of Venezuela developments and the major protests in Iran. * OPEC+ held steady, but Kazakhstan’s overproduction could average 65% in H1, prompting a crisis. * Saudi-backed forces to...
South Yemen separatists suffer dramatic reversal, as Saudi-backed forces advance on Aden
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 07 Jan 2026 · 1 response
In the last few days, the Saudi-backed forces of Yemen's government have made rapid advances against South Yemen separatists, who had seemed on the cusp of an independence bid. This now seems to be off the cards, and the government forces may soon retake Aden, Yemen's second city, which has been ...
GULF WEEKLY: Bahrain announces fiscal reforms, Oman projects small deficits until 2030, South Yemen clashes continue
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 02 Jan 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Clashes in Yemen between UAE and Saudi-backed forces continued today. * Saudi Arabia’s current account deficit continued for a fifth quarter in Q3, narrowing to -2.6% of GDP. * Aramco reduced diesel subsidies, hiking the ...
Yemen conflict strains UAE-Saudi relations: events, outlook and implications
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 02 Jan 2026
* Saudi Arabia demanded that UAE-backed South Yemen separatists withdraw from the east. * It launched airstrikes on STC positions and on a military shipment from the UAE. * The UAE’s decision to withdraw its counterterrorism forces from Yemen may de-escalate bilateral tensions. * However, the ...
GULF WEEKLY: UAE non-oil growth soars, MGX buys into TikTok, IMF visits Kuwait, Oman-India CEPA signed
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 19 Dec 2025
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Brent crude fell below $60 for the first time in nearly five years, despite the US blockade of Venezuela. * China’s foreign minister, visiting Saudi Arabia and the UAE, called for progress on an FTA with the GCC. * Saudi ...
GULF WEEKLY: Oman upgraded, rates cut, SABIC quits Duqm project, STC advances in Yemen
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 12 Dec 2025
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * The GCC mirrored the US -25bp cut; policy rates now range from 3.5% (Kuwait) to 4.5% (Bahrain). * Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi are pitching in $24bn to Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. * Saudi non-oil GDP growth of 4...
GULF WEEKLY: Saudi budget, PMIs rise, UAE Q3 surplus, Bahrain’s CDS spreads spike
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 05 Dec 2025 · 1 response
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * OPEC+’s capacity audit will mainly be done by US firm D&M, bar sanctioned countries. * The budgeted Saudi spending cuts are mainly in capex and use of goods and services. * The finance minister reaffirmed an openness to ...
GULF WEEKLY: Dubai’s budget, Acwa Power finances 15GW of renewables, Bahrain downgraded & Kuwait upgraded
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 28 Nov 2025
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Aramco is considering privatization of its oil export terminals and selling some real estate assets. * Acwa Power secured $5.9bn in financing for 15GW of solar and wind projects. * PIF sold a 3.3% stake in Mecca developer...
Opposite directions for Bahrain and Kuwait: S&P downgrades one due to rising debt, but upgrades the other for the same reason
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 25 Nov 2025
S&P took two opposite rating actions on Friday. It downgraded Bahrain to a record low of B, the lowest in the GCC by far. At the same time, it upgraded Kuwait back to its 2021 level of AA-. In 2006, around the time I first visited the Gulf, Bahrain was only one notch below Kuwait (A- vs. A), but ...