35th Year The Bestselling English Language Pan-Arab Magazine

AN IC PUBLICATION DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE 395

Gulf real estate Opec ministers speak out Saudi Arabia to the rescue

SPECIAL REPORT

The Russians are coming Exclusive interview: DIFC’s Dr Nasser Saidi

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Contents

CurrenT affairs

Comment 5 The Russians are coming 6

Iraq: The writing on the wall 12

Jordan: Reshuffling the cards 14

West Bank: Playing by Jungle Rules 18

Israel: The rise of the Jewish Taliban. 22

Tunis conference 24

Syria prepares to recover the Golan 26

US election: Change in America, change in the Middle East 28

Saudi Arabia to the rescue? 32

business and finanCe

The Top 100 Arab Companies 37

Dr. Nasser Saidi interview: The GCC must integrate 44

OPEC ministers: oil price needs to support investment 50

Gulf real estate 54

MosaiC

Regional: The Olive Trail 56

Soundès Blah & contemporary Tunisian Art 60

Some Good News from Gaza 62

Book Reviews 64

The Last Word 66

The Middle easT WoMan

Women in politics: Stand up and be counted! Good health and good living Patchi chocolates: Lebanese luxury at Harrods Saudi Arabia: Women only University

The Middle easT December 2008 3