Bourse & Bazaar Foundation

Iran Confirms American-Educated Economy Minister at a Pivotal Moment — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation At 42, Seyed Ali Madanizadeh embodies a new generation of post-revolution technocrats who are not tethered to political factions.

Barzin Jafartash explores Iran’s bold move to appoint a U.S.-educated technocrat as Minister of Economic Affairs.

In a climate of economic pressure and diplomatic flux, is this a shift toward pragmatic reform—or just more of the same?

Read more here: www.bourseandbazaar.org/vision-iran-...

Iran Will Try to Impose Political Costs on Trump — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Militarily, Iran will struggle to respond to Israeli aggression, but politically, Iranian leaders retain some room for manoeuvre.

In his latest piece, our CEO Esfandyar Batmanghelidj explores how Tehran might navigate Israel’s recent unilateral strike—not by matching force with force, but by recalibrating the political costs for a second Trump administration.

Can Iran reassert agency through asymmetry, not escalation?

Many thanks to @boursebazaar.bsky.social ( @yarbatman.bsky.social and Henna Moussavi) for publishing!

Central Asian Leaders See Silver Lining in USAID's Demises — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation When US President Donald Trump announced the reorganisation of American foreign aid back in January, Central Asian leaders saw both an opportunity and a challenge.

As USAID pulls back from Central Asia, some regional leaders are welcoming the change.

In her latest for the Bourse and Bazaar blog, Anna Jordanova unpacks why this could be a turning point for local governance and diplomacy.

www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#CentralAsia #development #aid

Gulf Investors Plug Into Solar Projects in Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Supported by favourable economics, Gulf financiers are backing solar energy projects across the Middle East and North Africa region.

In a new piece, Ashraf Abdel Raman analyses Gulf investment in solar infrastructure across Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco—signalling a regional commitment to clean energy and strategic cooperation.

Read here:
www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#MENA #GulfInvestment #solarenergy #climatefinance

Afghan Authorities Accelerate Push for Road and Rail Projects — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation As the Taliban government pursues an assertive policy to enhance Afghanistan’s logistical infrastructure, interest in the country’s role as a southern transit hub is gaining momentum across West Asia.

In a new piece for our blog, Nargiza Umarova discusses how Afghan authorities are ramping up road and rail investments to shift the country’s economic future—from Khaf-Herat to the Five Nations Transit Corridor.

Read more here: www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

Iraq Begins to Adjust to Syria’s Post-Assad Reality — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Iraqi leaders must assess if their new Syrian counterparts can be reliable partners and whether deeper political and economic cooperation can be pursued.

How is Iraq responding to Syria’s post-Assad transition?

In his latest for the Bourse & Bazaar blog, Francesco Salesio Schiavi explores how Baghdad is recalibrating its strategy amid changing regional dynamics.

Read more here: www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#Syria #Iraq #geopolitics

Prospects for Syrian Civil Society Remain Dim While Sanctions Linger — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Without tangible sanctions relief, Syrian civil society organisations will struggle to play a meaningful role in the country’s constitutional reform, local governance, or transitional justice efforts.

Bringing together the observations of Syrian civil society leaders, sanctions experts, and officials from seven European governments, our Policy Fellow Nancy Ezzeddine discusses the impact of Western sanctions in Syria.

www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#Syria #sanctions #civilsociety #MENA

To Avoid a Currency Crunch, Iranian Automakers Are Trading Nuts for Bolts — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation The outlook for the Iranian automotive industry looked dire until Iranian automakers stumbled upon an unexpected solution.

To keep production going amid a currency crunch, Iranian automakers are trading pistachios for essential car parts.

@yarbatman.bsky.social explores this creative yet costly workaround for our blog.

Read more here: www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#Iran #automotive #pistachios #economy

Uzbekistan’s President Hopes a Decree Will Spur Green Economic Growth — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Declaring 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and the Green Economy signals a shift toward making sustainability a central development priority in Uzbekistan.

Can a presidential decree jumpstart Uzbekistan’s green economic growth?

Shakhlo Kamaladinova explores President Mirziyoyev’s latest push for sustainability—balancing ambition with reality.

Read more here:
www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#Uzbekistan #greeneconomy #sustainability

US targets China's 'teapot' oil refiners to choke Iran Washington has issued new Iran-related sanctions, including a Chinese "teapot," or independent refiner, and vessels that supply oil.

"This marks the first time the U.S. has ever sanctioned a Chinese oil refinery... the Trump administration is trying to send a signal to Iran's oil customers in China."

Words from our CEO, @yarbatman.bsky.social, in a recent
@newsweek.com article on Beijing's role in the Iranian oil trade.

China, Russia and Iran set to hold talks in Beijing as Trump pushes for new nuclear deal with Tehran | CNN China is hosting diplomats from Iran and Russia for talks on Iran’s nuclear program Friday as Beijing aims to position itself as a power broker on an issue seen internationally as a pressing security ...

Spoke to CNN International about China hosting talks with Russia and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program.

China was never a central player in the nuclear negotiations. Russia and Iran know this. But they are happy to let China position itself as an active player.
www.cnn.com/2025/03/13/c...

Gulf States Offer Development Assistance in Central Asia as Western Donors Step Back — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Engaging in development assistance in Central Asia provides the GCC with an opportunity to boost its influence in the region.

As Western donors pull back, Gulf states are stepping up aid and development programmes in Central Asia. What is driving this shift?

@aijanco.bsky.social explores the impact for our blog.

Read more here: www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#CentralAsia #GulfStates #foreignaid #development

Gulf States Offer Development Assistance in Central Asia as Western Donors Step Back — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Engaging in development assistance in Central Asia provides the GCC with an opportunity to boost its influence in the region.

The cuts to US development aid will be widely felt among grantees in Central Asia, but leaders from the region are eyeing support from other, more neutral donors. As @aijanco.bsky.social explains, the Gulf states are emerging as development donors of choice.
www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

Uzbekistan's Energy Transition Depends on Systematic Reforms — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation To achieve its energy transition, Uzbekistan must go beyond a project-by-project approach.

Uzbekistan aims to double GDP by 2030 while scaling up climate commitments, but without deeper structural reforms, its transition remains uncertain. Louis Skyner explores the challenges ahead on our blog.

🔗: www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#Uzbekistan #EconomicReform #ClimatePolicy

GCC and Central Asia Want More Trade, But Connectivity Remains a Hurdle — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation The transit corridor competition that is currently underway between Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan will increase the land connectivity options among the GCC and Central Asian countries.

The GCC & Central Asia want stronger trade ties, but poor connectivity is holding them back. From logistical bottlenecks to regulatory gaps, the hurdles are real. So are the opportunities.

Read more here: www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

#GCC #CentralAsia #Trade #Connectivity #Investment

The Job of Iran's Central Bank Governor Just Got Harder — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation If the free market exchange rate reflects the mood of Iran’s economy, the commercial exchange rate measures its pulse.

Iran's Supreme Leader has ruled out U.S. negotiations, deepening economic challenges and accelerating the rial’s decline. Is maximum pressure finally taking a real toll?

Read Esfandyar Batmanghelidj's (@yarbatman.bsky.social) analysis here:
🔗 www.bourseandbazaar.org/articles/202...

Iranian Architects Are Reshaping Their Country, Visually and Politically — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation Amidst recent years of social and political turmoil in Iran, a blossoming architectural scene is ever-present and defiant.

Iran’s architects are not just designing buildings—they are reshaping the country’s visual and political landscape, reflecting broader social and cultural shifts.

Henna Moussavi explores how architecture in Iran is evolving amid economic and political challenges.

#iran #architecture #sanctions

📢 We're Hiring!📢

We are currently recruiting four Regional Coordinators to support the implementation of the Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth. Find out more through our LinkedIn page.

Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/41...

Central Asia Relies on Gulf as it Targets Energy Transition — Bourse & Bazaar Foundation The Gulf states are leveraging their role as fossil fuel producers in order to remain energy leaders, whatever the fuel system.

The Gulf's growing energy investments in Central Asia signal a pivotal shift towards alternative energy.

Natalie Koch analyses the Gulf's strategic approach as entities balance both state and private interests, highlighting a new model for energy diplomacy.

#gulf #energy #policy #middleeast