31/03/2020
The global COVID-19 crisis is spreading throughout the Middle East and threatening to intensify this particularly fragile region’s instability. The foreseeable impact of the pandemic on local economies, along with a significant loss of income in oil producing countries as a result of extraordinarily low prices will limit the Governments’ ability to mitigate the crisis’ effects on their societies. In a worst-case scenario, the widespread dissatisfaction originated by this situation could lead to yet another wave of demonstrations and popular uprisings; it could lead to a new wave of “Arab springs”. On the other hand, the lack of American leadership in the crisis management of the region presents opportunities for their rivals (China and Russia) to try to increase their influence at a global level.
Document written by Felipe Sánchez Tapia. Colonel. Analyst of IEEE
Note: The full document is only available in Spanish.