David Roberts

Qatar’s Surprise Abdication: So What Happens Next?

Qatar’s Surprise Abdication: So What Happens Next?

DAVID ROBERTS: Once again Qatar has caught the world by surprise with an abdication which has resulted in one of the world’s youngest leaders coming to power.

 David Roberts

‘A Difficult Neigbourhood’: How Qatar Manages Its Relations

‘A Difficult Neigbourhood’: How Qatar Manages Its Relations

DAVID ROBERTS: The Qatari authorities have a very difficult diplomatic tightrope to walk and they have to play their hand with consistent skill

 David Roberts

Keeping the Balance: Qatar’s Rulers Walk Tightrope

Keeping the Balance: Qatar’s Rulers Walk Tightrope

DAVID ROBERTS: Qatar’s been punching above its weight in foreign affairs but its rulers are mindful of the voices of its small local population

 David Roberts

Applying ‘The Rumsfeld Test’ on the Kingdom

Applying ‘The Rumsfeld Test’ on the Kingdom

DAVID ROBERTS: Reading the runes of Saudi Arabia’s possible succession is an art, a science and a mystery wrapped in one.

 David Roberts

The Linguistic Composition Of Iran

The Linguistic Composition Of Iran

The only thing better than a nice map is a particularly informative nice map, like this one on Arab dialects or the one above….

 David Roberts

Qatari Silence Feeds ‘Wilder’ Foreign Policy Theories

Qatari Silence Feeds ‘Wilder’ Foreign Policy Theories

DAVID ROBERTS: Qatar’s involvement in Mali is subject to some colourful speculation. It’s a familiar feeling for the peninsula state.

 David Roberts

The Kingdom of Surprises: Engaging With Saudis

The Kingdom of Surprises: Engaging With Saudis

DAVID ROBERTS: It’s a while since I’ve left Qatar but the differences between the tiny peninsula state and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are striking

 David Roberts

Outmanoeuvred: Opposition ‘Gets It Wrong’ In Kuwait

Outmanoeuvred: Opposition ‘Gets It Wrong’ In Kuwait

DAVID ROBERTS: The number of people protesting has gone down dramatically and there is a good chance that the Parliament may even get something done.

 David Roberts

Clear Motive: What’s Qatar Really Up To In France?

Clear Motive: What’s Qatar Really Up To In France?

DAVID ROBERTS: Qatar’s plan to invest a large sum of money into one of Paris’s poorest areas has led to attacks from left and right. So what’s happening?

 David Roberts

A Contrarian Streak: On Qatar and Hamas in Gaza

A Contrarian Streak: On Qatar and Hamas in Gaza

DAVID ROBERTS: While Israel and the Palestinian Authority may view Qatar’s embrace of Hamas with chagrin, it is Iran that is the central loser…

 David Roberts

Kuwait Upheaval A Signal of a More Turbulent Era?

Kuwait Upheaval A Signal of a More Turbulent Era?

DAVID ROBERTS: While monarchy as a concept is still resolutely the preferred system, Kuwait is entering a new era, one that is certain to be more violent.

 David Roberts

Female Athletes Lead Teams: What Does It Mean?

Female Athletes Lead Teams: What Does It Mean?

DAVID ROBERTS: The Olympics Opening Ceremony was striking for many reasons not the least of which was the presence of so many women leading Arab teams.

 David Roberts

Syria in Balance: Broken Borders, Unbroken Alliances

Syria in Balance: Broken Borders, Unbroken Alliances

DAVID ROBERTS: Russia is unfazed about alienating swathes of the Middle East not to mention the majority of Syrians, believing in time their position can be reasserted

 David Roberts

Days, Weeks or Months But Assad’s Fall is Assured

Days, Weeks or Months But Assad’s Fall is Assured

DAVID ROBERTS: The tactical masterstroke that the Free Syrian Army unleashed on Assad’s regime marks a spiral downwards for the regime

 David Roberts

U.S Power: The Ultimate Guarantor for Gulf States

U.S Power: The Ultimate Guarantor for Gulf States

DAVID ROBERTS: The Saudi authorities have been actively promoting a union of Gulf states but with little success. There’s a clear reason why.

 David Roberts

The Death of Crown Prince Nayef, What Next?

The Death of Crown Prince Nayef, What Next?

DAVID ROBERTS: That the Saudi Royal family has suffered another key death within a year is concerning but can come as no surprise.

 David Roberts

The Dynamics, and Players in Saudi Succession

The Dynamics, and Players in Saudi Succession

DAVID ROBERTS: A key part of Saudi succession lies in the different power blocks of family lineage, but influence also comes with ability…

 David Roberts

Qatar Fire: Out Come The Shia Bogeymen

Qatar Fire: Out Come The Shia Bogeymen

DAVID ROBERTS: There has been some utterly dreadful reporting of the recent fire in a mall in Qatar. One particular report, however, stands out

 David Roberts

Euro 2012 PR Disaster: Lessons for Qatar

Euro 2012 PR Disaster: Lessons for Qatar

DAVID ROBERTS: Qatar had better develop a very thick skin and employ some very smart PR people to deal with the storm that faces them.

 David Roberts

Initial Conclusions on the Qatar Mall Tragedy

Initial Conclusions on the Qatar Mall Tragedy

DAVID ROBERTS: It’s too early to say what exactly happened but it’s possible to make some educated observations on the Villagio tragedy

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