Country Risk Rating

An Egyptian Border Guard Force (BGF) now operates along the Egyptian side of the Gazan border, following an agreement with Israel to ease 26-year-old restrictions on Egyptian deployment... 2005-11-01

We do not expect the November-December parliamentary elections to significantly alter the composition of parliament, in which the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) currently... 2005-11-01

The Cypriot government believes it will have more leverage over Turkey in future reunification talks now that Ankara is on the EU accession path. But government critics argue that... 2005-10-31

Syria has come under intense pressure, following the release of the interim findings of the UN investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik al-Hariri.... 2005-10-31

Turkish and EU officials began comparing the compatibility of Turkish and EU law in late-October, which essentially heralds the start of the accession process. Turkey must ratify... 2005-10-28

President Hosni Mubarak was re-elected as expected in September. The country's first multi-candidate polls strongly favoured the incumbent. Nonetheless, they have brought some benefits.... 2005-10-07

Israel's international standing is much improved by the completion of the Gaza pullout. As well as being praised by the US, the UK and other traditional allies, Israel has held unprecedented... 2005-10-04

Prime Minister Adnan Badran travelled to Baghdad on September 10, becoming the first Arab leader to visit Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003. While the government of Jordan, which... 2005-09-30

Turkey began EU accession negotiations on schedule on October 3. While there is rising opposition to Turkish entry from European politicians - and their electorates - no new obstacles... 2005-09-30

The establishment's attitude to Syria's restive Kurds is inconsistent. While pragmatic forces within the regime favour compromise, other nationalist elements oppose any concessions... 2005-09-30