This week, European Union diplomats and Iranian representatives adopt a new mechanism to maintain trade as Iran works to comply with the nuclear deal in the face of US sanctions. Qatar’s Emir travels to Lebanon for a financial conference, pledging funds for the country’s economy and appearing to step into the Lebanese political arena. And in Tunis, Youssef Chahed leads Tahya Tounes, a party breaking from the ruling Nidaa Tounes over economic policy and political infighting.
Further reading:
EU’s Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX)
- John Irish, Riham Alkoussa, “Skirting US sanctions, Europeans open new trade channel to Iran” Reuters
- Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, Alex Hellman, “How Europe Could Blunt U.S. Iran Sanctions Without Washington Lifting a Finger,” Foreign Policy
- Fridtjof Falk, “Going nowhere alone: US sanctions on Iran and the afterlife of the JCPOA,” Journal on Middle Eastern Politics and Policy
Qatar’s Emir visits Lebanon
- Michael Young, “Is Qatar Seeking to Make a Political Comeback in Lebanon?” Carnegie Endowment Middle East Center
- Arwa Ibrahim, “Beirut Summit: Arab leaders agree 29-item economic agenda,” al-Jazeera
- Mark Williams, “Qatar’s $500 Million Foray Into Lebanon Provokes Saudi Pushback,” Bloomberg
Youssef Chahed’s Tahya Tounes
- Tarek Amara, “New ‘Long Live Tunisia’ party born, to be led by prime minister,” Reuters
- “Tunisia’s secular opposition formes new party,” al-Jazeera