There's been enormous amounts of soudy money spent on burnishing the kingdom's reputation. The gulf states are now playing a role in lending that was previously reserved for advanced economies and the i m f for the world bank. As we see more and more of an economic crisis across low and middle income economies, it could give the gulf states a significant leverage over those countries should they choose to wield it. But it might be the last such opportunity.
A conflict smouldering since a war in 2020 has again caught alight; Azerbaijan may feel emboldened by a distracted Russia and its own energy prospects. Gulf countries are swimming in piles of unexpected, oil-derived cash: we ask whether they will sock it away or splurge on citizens and pet projects. And why many Lebanese couples are choosing to wed online.
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