Many of the projects that are being built and being unveiled right now in Saudi seem aimed at a very elite audience. Greg, what about the political effects of these changes? Are the monarchies that rule these countries getting nervous? And as the private sector expands with those low salaries, what does cost of living look like for people there?
The petrostates of the Gulf are modernising their economies, growing more tolerant and liberalising their social contracts as they prepare for a world run on fewer hydrocarbons—but who will be left behind? A Chinese maker of electric vehicles prepares to steal a march on Tesla. And a look at Britain’s newest islands reveals they are made of wet wipes.
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