Welcome to
iStrategic International
Identifying crucial political, security and socio-economic risks require culturally sensitive eyes, connections and regional intelligence trained to translate signs into actionable insight, and insight to opportunity. We contend that having a proactive strategy is indispensable for today’s American and international corporations, business ventures, government agencies and investment missions in the MENA region.
Services We Offer

Political Risk Analysis

Business Intelligence

Executive Outlook

Cultural Training

Country Analysis

At iStrategic We Believe
Traditional approaches to political risk and country analysis in MENA have under-served corporations and investment firms seeking to expand into the Middle East and North African market (MENA). Approaches that work for the Latin American market or East Asian markets for example won’t be suitable for the MENA market. The MENA region suffers from structural instabilities and disruptive political risks, but is also ripe with profitable opportunities. American and European businesses interested in the MENA market need to increase their political adaptive capabilities and can not afford to overlook political risks. Understanding the political risks a company might face in the region will help it plan ahead and increase its capabilities to mitigate possible operational threats, and optimize the desired outcome. A successful business operation in the region needs to account for political and geopolitical risks, and prepare a proactive political risk management strategy.
At iStrategic We Deliver
As a political risk analysis and consulting firm exclusively focused on MENA, we deliver risk analysis and actionable insights based on facts and sound interpretation of data and intelligence. We offer our clients an insider’s perspective because we are proficient in an exclusive MENA tailored political risk analysis approach. Whether through one on one consultation, briefings, detailed reports or monthly executive summaries, we ensure our clients have a clear and up to date understanding of the current and future political risks in the region or specific MENA country. We are proficient in various local languages: Arabic, Turkish, Farsi and Hebrew. We are connected to trusted in-country associates, and we provide the highest standard in rigorous risk research at the macro and micro/industry level. Discussing risk management strategies position our clients to extract the maximum value from our consultations, briefings and political risk analysis reports.

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Latest News

Russia’s Relations with Egypt
Throughout 2017, bilateral Russia-Egypt relations have expanded, particularly in the areas of defense and economic exchanges. In late November 2017, during Russian Defense Minister
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Russia in Iraq
Visiting Khmeimim Air Base near the Syrian city of Latakia, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in early December 2017 that Moscow had accomplished its objectives in Syria a
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Jerusalem The Capital
In early December 2017, United States President Donald Trump announced that Washington would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and initiate the process of r
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Iran’s Unrest
By Vahid Yucesoy* @vahid_yucesoy for iStrategic How it started During the beginning of the year 2018, Iran was rocked by anti-regime demonstrations that took the clerics
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Egypt Israel Gas Deal
Israeli and Egyptian firms announced in late February 2018 that they would pursue two 10-year energy agreements. Under the arrangements, Egypt’s Dolphinus Holdings will purchase
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Russia-Turkey Gas and Defense Agreements
Turkish-Russian relations have enjoyed certain ebbs and flows after the dissolution of the Soviet Republic. Although mutual suspicion has continued, the relations have fl
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C. P. Mohammed bin Salman’s US Visit
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to meet with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on March 20. The American visit, which will begin on March 19 and
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China’s Relations with Gulf States
China’s diplomatic relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states started with Kuwait in 1971 and continued with Oman (1978), UAE (1984), Qatar (1988), Bahrai
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Latest Updates on the Situation in Libya
As the Arab Uprisings spread to Libya, they put an end to more than 4-decades long reign of Kaddafi in 2011. Yet, since Kaddafi was toppled, the country has been beset by turmoil a
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Update on Iran’s Economy
After experiencing acute economic hardship following a comprehensive set of sanctions imposed against its nuclear program in 2011, Iran’s economy started recovering with the arri
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Recap on Turkey’s Mil. Operation in Syria
Operation Olive Branch: Background: Turkey’s military presence in Northern Syria started in August 2016 duri
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Iran’s JCPOA woes might be Good for Iraq
“Iran barra barra, Baghdad Hurra Hurra” (Iran out out, Baghdad is Free Free) are the chants heard around Baghdad during and after the recent election. Despite the low 44% -out
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Iran: JCPOA Fallout Continued
After aggressively criticizing the Iran Deal (JCPOA), Trump announced on May 8th America’s withdrawal from it. The JCPOA had been signed in Vienna in 2015 be
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Recap on Iraq’s Election
In May 2018, Iraq held its parliamentary elections to elect the 329 members of the Council of Representatives, which is tasked with electing the Iraqi President and Prime
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Turkey’s Elections
Turkish Elections Turks went to the polls on June 24th to vote for a president and a new parliament. These polls were the first ones after the
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Egypt’s Economic Outlook
The Egyptian Economic Outlook In the immediate aftermath of Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring revolution, the ensuing climate of uncertainty
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Tunisia’s Economic Environment
Since the 2011 Jasmin Revolution, Tunisia’s economy has had to deal with a host of problems arising from political divisions, intermittent terror attacks, and strikes led by unio
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Unrest In Morocco
Morocco has been rocked by a continuous protest movement since October 2016. It all started when a fish vendor in the northern Rif region was crushed by a garbage truck a
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Turkey’s Parties & Military
Since it came to power in a landslide victory in 2002, the AKP has consistently won parliamentary elections up to this date thanks to a number of factors such as improvement in the
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Oman’s Economy
In Oman, oil has been the main component of the economy since the country started commercial production in 1967. Yet, Oman’s oil revenues are at a modest quantity. In fact, Oman
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Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA)
Also dubbed the “Arab NATO”, the Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) is a proposed regional security alliance promoted by the Trump administration to include the six Gulf Ara
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China and the GCC
Chinese Investment in the GCC Over the past decade, China and the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have been enjoying deeper trade rel
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Oman and Israel
Oman Paves Way for Israel's Diplomatic Acceptance in MENA Oman has built a reputation for itself as a neutral actor in the Middle East. The nation’s officials
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Israel Cyprus Italy Gas Agreement
ISRAEL-CYPRUS-ITALY GAS AGREEMENT Background Offshore drilling of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean has a relatively short
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Sudan’s Unrest
Protests in Sudan Sudan has been in the throes of anti-government protests since December 19th, which started in the city of Atbara. Initially
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Turkey in Northern Syria
TURKEY IN NORTHERN SYRIA Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and their proxies have occupied territory in Northern Syria since August 2016. Ankara had l
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Iran: Chabahar Port
Chabahar Port and Major Stakeholders Chabahar, one of Iran’s most strategically-located ports, is situated in southeastern Iran on the coast of the Gul
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Iran and UAE: Islands in Dispute
The Islands Dispute between Iran and the UAE Iran has been embroiled in an enduring dispute with the United Arab Emirates over three islands in the Strai
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Saudi Arabia and Pakistan
Recent Investment Agreements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia The bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been very strong over
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Turkey S-400 Purchase
Turkey’s S-400 and US missile defense system purchase debacle Turkish and American ties have been tense over the past several months due to Ankara’s
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Turkey in Somalia
Bilateral ties between Turkey and Somalia date back to the years immediately after Somalia gained its independence. These relations gained a significant boost following the arrival
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Egypt’s Exit from MESA
The Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) and Egypt’s Withdrawal The Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA), also called the “Arab NATO”, is a regio
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US Troops in Iraq
US Troops in Iraq In 2003 an American-led invasion put an end to Saddam Hussein’s rule in Iraq. At its peak, the US troop levels in Iraq stood at 166,0
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Turkey’s S-400
Turkey is attempting a balancing act between two competing agendas, that of the United States and NATO, and Russia. Given that Turkish economy has already entered a recessionary ph
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Oman: Balancing Interests & Principles
The Omani foreign minister, Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, met in Tehran with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in May, stating that “There is a danger that
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Sudan Post-Military Coup
Background of Protests Sudan has been rocked by continuous and sustained protests starting in December 2018. Protests started in reaction to President Ba
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Iraq and the PMF
Iraq’s Prime Minister, Adil Abdul Mahdi, has recently issued a controversial decree to limit the powers of influential Iranian-backed Shiite militias, also known as the Popular M
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Algeria Protests
2019 Algerian Protests and the bureaucratic consequences: Background Algeria was rocked by months of street demonstrations starting in February 2019. The
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Christians in MENA
Every year we get to work with wonderful interns at iStrategic. This year is no different. At the end of the internship, the final assignment might be an essay on a topic/news
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Protests in Iraq
Since 2018, Iraq has been in the throes of sporadic protests flaring up every now and then due to the endemic level of corruption and deteriorating economy. The latest round of pro
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Operation Peace Spring
Background On October 9 Turkey launched an offensive in north-eastern Syria, which it called the Operation Peace Spring (Turkish: Barış Pınarı Ha
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