​GULF WEEKLY: Bahrain normalizes, US upgrades Qatar alliance, Libya to restart oil

GULF COUNTRIES - Report 18 Sep 2020 by Rory Fyfe and Justin Alexander

A skimmable summary of key developments overlaid with our analysis and links to further information. Headlines include:

* Bahrain and UAE signed normalization agreements with Israel in Washington.
* We do not expect any other Gulf states to follow imminently, for differing reasons.
* Coronavirus cases are again rising in Oman, following trends in Bahrain and UAE.
* Haftar said he will lift the blockade on 1m b/d of Libyan oil exports. This comes amidst protests which have caused resignations in both rival governments, and ahead of peace talks next month.
* The Houthis continue to advance towards Marib, a potential turning point in the Yemen war.
* Al Jazeera US must register as a “foreign agent” but the US plans to upgrade its relationship with Qatar to that of a “Major Non-NATO Ally”, as Doha hosts Afghan talks.
* Kuwait’s parliament is rife with coronavirus, and its session will end without a debt law.
* Kuwait’s Crown Prince made an unexpected outreach to opposition figures.
* Oman’s central bank saw a sharp decline in the foreign assets in July.
* BP sharply revised down its hydrocarbon demand scenarios, hurting oil more than gas.

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