Category: Country Reports
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December 2021
Overview. November was a relatively stable month in Bangladesh. On the political front, the main opposition party, the BNP, decided to boycott local elections, citing a lack of free and fair polls. Bangladesh’s update of the base year from 2005-06 to 2015-16 has seen an increase in per capita income figures by almost 16%, while…
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November 2021
Overview. Iran nominates a hardline opponent of the JCPOA to be its lead negotiator, while committing to re-join stalled talks in November. A major cyberattack hits the country’s petrol distribution network and regional relations become more complex: tensions with Azerbaijan are on the rise, the Iraqi people vote against Iran’s influence in their country, but…
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November 2021
Overview. A decade after the Arab Spring which brought years of domestic turmoil, Egypt is finally regaining its role as a major regional influencer. Under Sisi’s guidance, Egypt appears too big to fail right now. Major threats along Egypt’s borders, including security concerns to the south, water security and the war in Libya are all…
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November 2021
Overview. Even as winter approaches the internal political temperature of Pakistan remained high throughout the month with a number of protest demonstrations, rallies, and marches eventually leading to unrest. October saw some changes in military leadership and subsequent relationship alterations between the military and the civil government, an outbreak of dengue fever, price hikes and…
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November 2021
Overview. 39% of the population are fully vaccinated against C19. At the World Energy Week and KAZENERGY forum the Kazakh Government declared the nation will achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Active ‘recruitment’ of new investors into Kazakhstan’s natural resources and renewables sectors is ongoing. A significant rise in electricity consumption sparks some concern over infrastructural…
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November 2021
Overview. The Awami League has said that they are determined to identify the people behind the attacks on Hindu places of worship and homes of Hindus across various districts of Bangladesh this month during the Durga Puja festival. On the economic front, Bangladesh’s GDP per capita is set to be higher than that of India’s…
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October 2021
Overview. The UN General Assembly brings no breakthrough in the resumption of nuclear talks but does see a glimmer of rhetorical convergence from Iran and the United States. Talks will restart on Raisi’s schedule, while every month brings a further element of brinkmanship with the IAEA and the Western JCPOA signatories.…… Read the rest
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October 2021
Overview. September was a relatively uneventful month in Egypt. Even the militants in the Sinai appeared to take a break. President Sisi continues to maintain his high profile position in international relations and at home his forward thinking initiatives are beginning to bear fruit. MPs and Senators are returning from recess to start the new…
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October 2021
Overview. Afghanistan occupied much of Pakistan’s bandwidth this month. DG ISI visited Kabul a week before the Taliban announced their government on 15th August 2021. PM Khan attempted to clarify Pakistan’s stance regards Afghanistan during the UN General Assembly session, and asked that the world community incentivise the new regime to strive for stability, bringing…
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October 2021
Overview. The Minister of Healthcare has declared that the RoK has achieved a (C19) state of ‘earned immunity’ and has loosened restrictions – somewhat premature, we feel. Nevertheless, the government continues to push elements of mandatory vaccination, and some regions remain classed as outbreak risk zones with a need to catch up on vaccinations.…… Read…