GULF COUNTRIES
Analyst
Justin Alexander
Former Economic Advisor, Qatar Finance MinistryDatabanks
Recent Country Insights
GULF WEEKLY: Oil eases on deal hopes, rating agencies affirm four states, Qatar Q1 deficit at 5% of GDP
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 29 May 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Oil fell to $91 as hopes grew for an Iran deal; Trump said a “final determination” will happen today. * This followed a week when Iranian leaders held talks in Qatar, but the US and Iran exchanged fire. * Lebanon could be...
GULF WEEKLY: Qatar steps in to mediate, UK-GCC FTA signed, Oman records small Q1 deficit
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 22 May 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Trump paused assault plans as Qatar and other Gulf states stepped in to mediate with Iran. * This came after Iran formally launched its “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” to administer transits. * A drone launched from Iraq ...
GULF WEEKLY: Oil rises on new Iranian attacks, Saudi manufacturing resilient in March, UAE to expand bypass pipeline
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 15 May 2026 · 1 response
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Brent oil is back at $110 amidst more attacks on shipping, despite some Hormuz transits. * There were new Iranian strikes on the UAE and Kuwait, as well as ships near Qatar and Oman. * Trump called Iran’s latest proposal ...
GULF WEEKLY: Iran strikes ships and the UAE, Saudi Q1 deficit surges, PIF issues bonds
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 08 May 2026 · 1 response
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Trump’s “Project Freedom” in Hormuz led to the first Iranian fire at ships and the UAE in a month. * At the same time, there was talk of progress in peace proposals; oil yoyoed in the $96-114 range . * Saudi Arabia and Ku...
GULF WEEKLY: Oil surges as talks stall, UAE quits OPEC+, Emirates NBD breaks bond drought
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 01 May 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * There were no US-Iran talks for a second week, and oil surged further as Hormuz remained blocked. * Proposals are still being exchanged via Pakistan, with Iran proposing a mutual blockade lifting. * Four Gulf leaders and ...
UAExit: A deep dive into why the UAE quit OPEC+ and the implications
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 30 Apr 2026
The fundamental reason for the UAE’s decision to leave OPEC/OPEC+ was that it had been frustrated for years with overly onerous production quotas, which required it to bear a substantially larger share of the burden of balancing the oil market than other OPEC+ members. The surprising thing is not...
GULF WEEKLY: Ceasefire extended, but Hormuz closed, and oil rebounds, Moody’s puts Bahrain on a negative outlook, Dubai approves metro extension
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 24 Apr 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Oil has rebounded as Hormuz remains closed and the US and Iran both seize ships. * A report that it could take up to six months to clear mines added to market concerns. * Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely, and the...
GULF WEEKLY: Peace hopes rise as Iran reopens Hormuz after Lebanon ceasefire, PIF announces 5-year strategy, Kuwait & Abu Dhabi make $4.5bn in private placements
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 17 Apr 2026
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Iran’s foreign minister declared Hormuz reopen in response to the ceasefire in Lebanon. * Brent crude has dropped below $90 for the first time in over five weeks. * OPEC data for March showed production declines as high a...
GULF WEEKLY: Ceasefire holds but without Hormuz transits, Bahrain signs currency swap with UAE, SWFs confirm $24bn for Warner Bros deal
GULF COUNTRIES · Report · 10 Apr 2026 · 1 response
A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * Oil remains elevated at about $96 as few tankers transit Hormuz, despite the ceasefire. * Vance and Ghalibaf are headed to Pakistan for talks due tomorrow, although they could be delayed. * Attacks on the GCC have largely...