OPEC and the Changing Oil Market

Impact on OPEC of changes in the market for Oil  According to The Organisations of Petroleum Exporting Companies (OPEC), just under 80% of the world’s crude oil reserves are located within OPEC nations. Countries such as China and India rely heavily on OPEC for a steady flow of oil. This has fuelled significant growth in industry and technology seen in these nations over recent years. … Continue reading OPEC and the Changing Oil Market

LIV Golf

The world of professional golf has witnessed a seismic shift in recent years, marked by the emergence of LIV Golf—a breakaway professional golf league funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Initially called the ‘Premier Golf League’ in 2021, the name was later changed to LIV, 54 in Roman Numerals, signifying the number of holes played at each tournament: a shorter, seemingly easier to … Continue reading LIV Golf

Blue Gold: The Precious Commodity of Tomorrow

In the north-western Tabuk province of Saudi Arabia, armies of diggers carve into the arid desert as they attempt to excavate a 170-kilometre line. This project is part of what is called Neom, ‘The Future of Civilization’, and emerges from ‘The Saudi Vision”, a plan to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil and diversify its economy by developing its public-service sector. The project’s estimated cost … Continue reading Blue Gold: The Precious Commodity of Tomorrow

Why is Saudi Arabia pouring billions into Sports?

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made waves in the sporting world, signing numerous football superstars like Ronaldo and Neymar while also hosting golf icons on the LIV golf tour. The substantial salaries offered make these deals hard to resist. But what motivates these significant investments? Saudi Arabia’s influence on sport has sparked global controversy, with many claiming that all of this will ‘calm down … Continue reading Why is Saudi Arabia pouring billions into Sports?

Analysing the Economic Impacts of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

On the 7th October 2023, an ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated significantly as a result of a ferocious and unprecedented attack on Israel. For historical context, this is not the first conflict that has arisen between these two groups: since 1948 there has been unrest within the region. The cyclical nature of this conflict poses a great threat to the economies of both … Continue reading Analysing the Economic Impacts of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

African Economies : How have oil and corruption affected Nigeria’s economy?

Nigeria is one of Africa’s most influential nations and holds significant power both economically and geopolitically. With a population of approximately 225 million people, it’s not only the most populated country in Africa but also has the continent’s largest economy. In 2022, Nigeria’s GDP reached an impressive $477.39 billion. Meanwhile, the country has been grappling with pressing challenges of poverty, crime, corruption, and overreliance on … Continue reading African Economies : How have oil and corruption affected Nigeria’s economy?

African Economies :  Zimbabwe’s Journey from a 100 Trillion Dollar Bill to Economic Recovery

Zimbabwe has captured global attention due to its serious economic struggles. Pre-independence, Zimbabwe’s economy relied heavily on agriculture and the stable Rhodesian Dollar. However, post-independence, it has encountered the challenges of hyperinflation, land reform, and political instability. These difficulties have had a long-lasting impact on Zimbabwe’s economy, making it difficult for locals to trust the local currency, and has piqued the interest of the global … Continue reading African Economies :  Zimbabwe’s Journey from a 100 Trillion Dollar Bill to Economic Recovery

Boom to Bust: The Lebanese Economic Collapse

Overview Between 1975 and 1990, one of the bloodiest civil wars in history took place in Lebanon which left more than 120,000 people dead. The war, fought between the Maronites (Christians), Sunni muslims and Shia muslims had no clear winner after fifteen years. This stalemate led to the current Lebanese government set-up where each religious group has parliamentary representation and parties are formed on religious … Continue reading Boom to Bust: The Lebanese Economic Collapse

Beyond the Barrel: Economic Evolution in a Post-Oil World

Oil, often referred to as ‘black gold’, has historically had a profound impact on the global economy. Its original use in ancient civilisation was for medicine and lighting. However in the 19th century, it became the lifeblood of industrialisation, powering machinery, transportation and ultimately shaping geopolitics. Today, oil remains a critical driver of the global economy. As the world becomes more environmentally oriented (coupled with other … Continue reading Beyond the Barrel: Economic Evolution in a Post-Oil World

Blood Diamonds: The Brutality behind the Bling 

Blood diamonds have in total caused 3 million deaths. The average blood diamond worker receives 5p per day. Statistics such as these, highlight the true socio-economic problems such as inequality and poverty that blood diamonds cause. Blood diamonds became a big issue in the 1990’s, when civil wars broke out all over Central and Western Africa, encouraging some of the governments and rebels within these … Continue reading Blood Diamonds: The Brutality behind the Bling