Journalism & Analysis

I have reported on events from around the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe for numerous leading publications, including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Economist, Forbes, Foreign Policy, Gulf States Newsletter, the Middle East Economic Digest, Semafor and Quartz.

I contribute political and economic analysis to reports for consultancies, international organisations and others and appear on TV and radio to discuss current events.

To find out more just get in touch.

Here’s a small selection of articles I’ve written:

High property prices squeeze Saudis out of homeownership
The Saudi property market has rebounded after four years of decline, but soaring prices and high interest rates are locking out many locals, especially renters.
Semafor, March 2025

Riyadh tries to catch up with Abu Dhabi in the race for regional AI crown
An AI industry conference in Riyadh on 10 September was told “there is a lot of overhype” around artificial intelligence, but it is hype the Saudi government is firmly leaning into, in an effort to establish a role for the country in the emerging technology ecosystem.
GSN, September 2024

Iranian politics in limbo after president’s death
Tehran moves to smoothly transition power, but leader’s loss leaves political void
MEED, May 2024

Can Vertical Farming Cut The Middle East’s Reliance On Food Imports?
In a region with plenty of sun but little water, farming is rarely an easy option, so it’s little surprise that Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates import around 85% of all the food they consume. But technology might be about to alleviate that problem.
Forbes, February 2023

Central banks go digital, bit by bit
The turmoil in cryptocurrency markets this year has been a wake-up call to investors and regulators, prompting questions about how viable many digital currencies really are. But not all digital currencies are alike.
AGBI, September 2022

How to raise startup funding in a war-torn economy
After years of war, Libya’s economy often seems to be characterized by what’s missing rather than what’s there. Speak to entrepreneurial Libyans and they’ll often tell you what’s lacking…
Quartz, April 2020

Saudi Arabia Suffers Shock Collapse In Inward Investment
Inward investment into Saudi Arabia collapsed last year, according to newly published data from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), raising serious questions about the prospects for the economic reform agenda being pursued by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Forbes, June 2018

Investors in Iran await Trump’s next move
Investors are increasingly cautious about engaging with Iran, intent on waiting for the US to decide whether or not it will stick with the nuclear deal
MEED, April 2018

Oman is benefiting from the standoff over Qatar, for now
As other neighbours seek to isolate Qatar, Oman lets vital supplies get through
The Economist, September 2017

Brussels shows that terrorism can dent an economy but rarely destroy it
The aftermath of terrorist attacks has become a depressingly familiar scene in Europe. Sirens from emergency vehicles pierce the air. Police cordon off roads that run through the city center, and soldiers man the checkpoints…
Quartz, April 2016

Japan’s Middle East Soft Power
Heavily dependent on oil from the Middle East, Japan has been keen to encourage stability. But there are limits to what its soft power push can do in the region.
The Diplomat, April 2012

Bahrain: Like Wall Street, but now with guns
The political unrest in Bahrain has adversely affected banks and their customers. Loss of business to other Gulf states might be hard to reverse, especially as the government crackdown continues, leaving popular resentment smouldering.
Euromoney, September 2011

Roil, Jordan?
By acting fast, King Abdullah II has managed to avoid the turmoil seen elsewhere in the Arab world... for now.
Foreign Policy, February 2011