Oil, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and Crises: The Political Economy the Middle East

Dr. Ziad Daoud, MEI Senior Fellow and Chief Emerging Markets Economist for Bloomberg, leads a study group examining the political economy of an evolving Middle East.  

Participants will examine the role that oil has played in shaping the region, and how petrodollars are recycled in the global economy, partly through giant sovereign wealth funds. The group will investigate the common problem facing most of the region – exporters as well as importers of energy. They will assess Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 diversification initiative, and how the Middle East is navigating rising US - China competition. 

Participants will debate the future of oil prices, and the challenges and opportunities presented by a decarbonizing world. They will discuss the merit of universal income as a diversification proposal for the GCC and Iraq. They’ll also investigate why currency crises keep recurring in countries like Egypt. 

The overall aim of this study group is for participants to gain a better understanding of the economic and political forces affecting the Middle East and its relation with the rest of the world. 

Schedule 

6 sessions will take place from 4:30pm - 6:00pm on the following dates over the fall semester: 

Monday, September 30

Tuesday, October 8

Monday, October 21

Monday, October 28

Monday, November 4 

Monday, November 18

Sign-up 

All HUID-holders are welcome to attend the study group. Registration is required (link forthcoming). Further information and optional reading will be provided to registered participants during the week of September 23.

Main Point of Contact: Peter Reid (peterreid@hks.harvard.edu), Research Assistant to Dr. Ziad Daoud