There’s plenty that’s attracted criticism of Saudi Arabian policy since King Salman succeeded to the kingdom’s throne almost five years ago and made his son Mohammed Bin Salman, now crown prince, a cabinet minister. There’s the war in Yemen and…
Author: Edmund O'Sullivan
I am a writer, author, economist and business person. I've reported on and done business in the Middle East since 1979 and travelled throughout the region. I specialist in reporting and writing, economic and media industry consultancy, business development and conference moderation.
Saudi Arabia is a nation with the influence of a superpower in oil, finance and the Muslim world
The storm about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he entered the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul in October is unlikely to pass soon. If murder has been committed, it is unforgivable. But Saudi Arabia’s status as a small nation…
Crown Prince Mohammed reassures friends and counters critics in Bloomberg interview
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman reassured friends and countered critics in a comprehensive and confident interview published last night by Bloomberg. He said President Trump’s speech in Mississippi on 3 October in which he said Saudi Arabia might…
What Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman told Bloomberg (in 1,400 words)
The US and Canada President Trump’s statement in Mississippi in which he said Saudi Arabia might not last two weeks without US military support was inaccurate but his speech would not undermine Saudi relations with the US. Canada’s criticism of…
Trump needs Saudi Arabia more than it needs him
It tells you something when an American president talks openly about his unsuccessful attempts to persuade another country to do what he wishes. But that’s what happened yesterday during President Trump’s unscripted speech to supporters in Mississippi. Trump referred to…
Has Saudi Arabia dumped Trump?
President Trump with King Salman during his visit to Riyadh in May 2017 Confounding some forecasts, the Opec-non-Opec market monitoring meeting in Algeria yesterday made no recommendation for output to be lifted to offset a new price surge and suggestions…
Moscow, oil and the Middle East game of nations 2018
Russia backs Iran and Syria but is doing deals with Israel and Saudi Arabia Oil is the key in critical Middle East developments this May. After meeting Syria’s President Asad in Sochi on 17 May, Russian President Putin said that…
Trump’s Jerusalem statement is due to growing US energy independence, top energy department official says
Dan Brouillette. Credit: Washington Examiner Deputy US energy secretary Dan Brouillette has said in an interview published yesterday that President Trump’s announcement that the US will recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is evidence that policies designed to reduce dependence on…
The higher Crown Prince Mohammed rises, the more he has to lose
Like a mountain-climber nearing the summit, the higher Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman rises the further he can fall The detention of dozens of princes, government officials and business people is seen as further evidence that Crown Prince Mohammed Bin…
New energy deal of the century
Opec secretary general Mohammed Barkindo this week stoked expectations that the Opec-non-Opec “energy deal of the century” will be renewed The 173rd meeting of Opec oil ministers opens in Vienna on 30 November but the gathering will be anything but…