Afghan refugee entrepreneurs thrive in Turkey
When Afghan businessman Haji Yakup Burhan fled the violence of his home country 30 years ago, he brought with him his family - and all his money. He headed to…
Pakistan: an Egypt in the making?
The International Monetary Fund's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme design for Pakistan (July 2019-September 2022) is uncannily similar to that for Egypt (November 2016-2019 with the last mandatory review held…
Tanker attacks seen as calibrated but risky Iranian response to US sanctions
If, despite its firm denials, Iran was behind attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf last week and a further four last month, they represent a calibrated yet risky…
The marriage age debate
THE new debate over the minimum marriage age for girls has revealed a massive regression in our society’s social thinking and the implications are truly alarming. Ninety years ago, a…
Springtime in the Middle East
It is springtime in the Middle East once again. It would be fair to say that I haven’t witnessed such glorious, reinvigorating weather in my long years of living and…
China steps up drone race with stealth aircraft
China is unleashing stealth drones and pilotless aircraft fitted with AK-47 rifles onto world markets, racing to catch up to US technology and adding to a fleet that has already…
Gulf braces for fallout after US exit from Iran deal
Gulf Arab countries were on Wednesday bracing for the economic and security fallout after President Donald Trump announced the United States was exiting the Iran nuclear deal. Three countries led…
Trump, the businessman
On the first ever foreign visit after his election US President Donald Trump has signed $380 billion worth of business deals with Saudi Arabia. These deals also include a $110…
Listen to the Pakhtuns
Pakhtuns are talking and Pakistan must listen. They are talking the language of peaceful protest, the most beautiful language human civilisation has invented. In order to make sense of these…
Saudi women at the wheel
Change has come to Saudi Arabia at last. King Salman of Saudi Arabia has decreed that women can drive. Many of us, especially those living in the kingdom and the…
