The Middle East in the Second Wave of the Coronavirus Crisis

Abstract

This article attempts to assess the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the situation both in the MENA region as a whole and in particular countries. Analysis of the dynamics of the main economic indicators showed that the region is undergoing a period of stagnation - a decrease in growth rates, a decline in business activity, and an increase in unemployment. At the same time, it should be noted that in most cases the pandemic did not generate, but only intensified the existing negative trends, which require structural transformations. Especially important is the fact that not only economically relatively weak states have suffered due to the pandemic, but also countries that traditionally rely on high revenues from hydrocarbon exports. The emerging crisis of the development model of the Persian Gulf countries is alarming. Another trend demonstrated by the second wave of the crisis was the rapid growth of political tensions in a number of countries, which could also lead to significant negative changes in the region.

Keywords

• middle east
• coronavirus
• economy
• oil
• protests
• persian gulf
• egypt
• turkey
• iran
• israel