Cover Story

Crude Awakening

Buoyancy and optimism are not words readily associated with Iraq, but there is a feeling this summer could mark a turning point in the country’s fortunes with major developments involving land, sea and air.
The IMF is slating 8 percent growth in 2008. More than three-quarters of business owners expect the economy to significantly grow over [...]

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Perspectives

The Red City Under Siege»

Once hailed as the meeting point of Africa and Arabia, the red-walled city of Marrakesh is under siege from an army of modern tourists.

Special Report

Al-Qaeda Resurgent»

A new generation of Yemeni jihadis is unleashing a wave of terror in Osama bin Laden’s ancestral homeland.

Business

Real Estate

Hammer Time»

Property auctions may be an indulgence of the rich, but they’re also a growing trend in the Dubai real estate market that can’t be ignored.



Insurance

A Captive market»

Captive insurance may be gaining popularity elsewhere, but the concepthasn’t quite caught on yet with Middle Eastern companies.



Banking/finance

Qatari royal battles Barclays in $78m Marbella fraud»

Incompetent’ Barclays embarrassed by allegations as it seeks Qatar Investment Authority help in raising $7.9bn.




Focus

Arming Arabia»

As the Middle East’s political landscape sways, GCC states are stockpiling high-tech weapons to protect themselves in uncertain times.



Here We Go Again»

Price riots in Egypt are forcing the government to rethink the country’s
subsidy regime. But is it just tinkering, or something more?



A continent all its own»

Ignore the saber-rattling and nukes fears that dominate the headlines. Iran surprises and delights all who visit it.



Doha calling»

Qatar’s staging of the Asian Games was just the start of the country’s race to best its equally ambitious neighbors.




Last Word

Timo Ahomaki»

Timo Ahomäki is the chief scientist and vice president for product management at US-based Airwide Solutions, a mobile messaging and wireless Internet infrastructure provider.

http://www.certina.com