Lebanon

Exxon had precisely zero upstream interest in the Mediterranean and North Africa as recently as 2016. It last year bagged key deepwater exploration blocks off Cyprus and Mauritania; a Crete award looks imminent and it is eying Algeria and Egypt.

Remittances are a crucial lifeline to the region’s cash-strapped oil importing economies.

Between post-election deliberations, fresh US sanctions on Hizbollah and Iran-Israel tensions at a boiling point, geopolitical talk rules in Lebanon today. But behind the scenes, the central bank is maneuvering to avoid a debt crisis.

Trump’s decision to leave the nuclear deal has wreaked uncertainty across global markets. On the Syria front, it could push Israel and Iran into direct confrontation.

Despite zero wells drilled, officials are already eying gas-fueled riches. Output would spell an end to power cuts, but could also give officials an excuse to delay reform.

Lebanon has secured grants and loans worth $11.5bn for redeveloping its disheveled infrastructure. But a lack of financing is far from the republic’s biggest concern.

With the world’s third highest debt-to-GDP ratio and annual growth averaging just 1.7% since 2011, the Lebanese economy needs crucial assistance. Saad Hariri’s government aims to cut this year’s deficit and upcoming donor conferences may help. But can efforts overcome the structural issues impairing prosperity?

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited Riyadh in early March, signaling an effort to improve ties after the kingdom’s botched...

Aid has emerged as a key foreign policy tool for Trump’s White House. Despite promises to slash assistance, spending on the Middle East is set to rise.

Despite a sizable gas find offshore Cyprus and Lebanon finally awarding exploration blocks after years of delay, not all is well under the Eastern Med sun.

Whilst 2017 bid rounds from both Israel and Lebanon can be considered flops, at least Lebanon has succeeded in drawing in heavyweights Total and Eni.

When Prime Minister Sa’d al-Hariri was summoned on 3 November to Riyadh and allegedly compelled to resign as Prime Minister...