Country Risk Rating

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and US President George W. Bush signed a 'declaration of principles' in November, laying the foundations for what could be a long-term presence of US... 2007-11-27

Recent protests from low-paid Asian labourers highlight the impact inflation is having on political stability, as well as generalised societal imbalances which continue to reflect... 2007-10-30

Iraqi forces took control of the Karbala province, a Shi'a region in the south, from US forces last week after the handover was delayed for nearly three months following fighting... 2007-10-30

Meetings between King Abdullah and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown look set to go ahead smoothly, with the former's comments that the UK was not doing enough to combat global... 2007-10-29

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, abruptly resigned on October 20th citing no reason for his departure, a move that led to speculation that he was forced out as a result... 2007-10-26

Saudi Arabia's relations with Syria are worsening, with Riyadh deeply unhappy about Damascus' alleged involvement in recent events in Lebanon. Syria's foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem,... 2007-10-02

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan reiterated the UAE's demand that Iran hand back the three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Masa that it seized control... 2007-10-01

Two parliamentary panels investigating irregularities in the health and information ministries will continue their inquiry in spite of the recent replacement of the health and the... 2007-10-01

With elections only six weeks away Sultan Qaboos created two new ministries, for environment and fisheries, and reshuffled the cabinet last month. Althoughn the Sultan gave no reason... 2007-10-01

President Ali Abdullah Saleh has announced a reform initiative related to constitutional amendments that aims to 'create a full presidential system'. The ten point amendment plan... 2007-09-28