MENA RegionalPULSE: 25 MAR 2025
Geopolitical & Security Analysis Regional Report
Report Details
Initial Publish Date
Last Updated: 25 MAR 2025
Report Focus Location: MENA
Authors: AA, CM, SO
Contributors: GSAT
GSAT Lead: MF
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Report Summary
This report examines the current geopolitical and security environment in the MENA region. Israel’s resumption of ground and air operations in Gaza continues to dominate the international attention. However, there are signs that the domestic tolerance for sustained war is reaching its limits amidst protests by Israeli citizens against the “authoritarianism” of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Tensions in the Red Sea are also rising once again following U.S. airstrikes on Yemeni Houthis. Should the Houthis retaliate, the region is highly likely to experience interruptions to shipping similar to those experienced in 2024. This would have severe knock-on effects on regional and European economies.
Meanwhile, fresh tensions over the arrest of the Mayor of Istanbul and the resulting sell-off of stocks and the Turkish Lira suggest that economic and political instability is likely to impact even previously stable countries.
Despite this, there are ongoing efforts to bolster and diversify regional capabilities. The Gulf leads the charge in this area, with Saudi Arabia exploring the Kingdom’s mining potential while Qatar amplifies its logistical capabilities for semiconductors.
