Sovereign Advisory
We provide discreet counsel to sovereign stakeholders, institutional leaders, and principals on matters of economic statecraft, international cooperation and geopolitical risk. Our value lies in our unique access to broad and deep expertise and intelligence about the markets and sectors we operate in. We operate by referral and undertake a limited number of mandates, privileging focus and continuity for our clients. Engagements are conducted under strict confidentiality.
Areas of Expertise
ADVISORY
Advising on cross-border economic and security cooperation, geopolitical risk, and strategic bilateral cooperation.
ENGAGEMENT
Activation of trusted networks to enable discreet dialogue, high-level introductions, and confidential cross-jurisdictional engagement.
INVESTMENT
Identification and facilitation of strategic investment opportunities aligned with political context, regional dynamics, and principal-level objectives.
Sample of advisors
Dr Steffen Hertog
GCC economics and political economy
Dr Paul J. Sullivan
Energy and Environmental Security
David Rundell
Saudi - US relations
Dr Bernard Haykel
Arab identity, Islam and social history of the GCC
Dr Jean Francois Seznec
Economic & Industrial Policy
Dr Mohammed Al-Sudairi
Sino-Gulf relations
Michael Stephens
Europe-Gulf relations
Dr Jonathan Fulton
Sino-Gulf relations
Adel Bakawan
EU - Turkey / Iraq relations
Dr Omar Al-Ubaydli
GCC countries' economics expert
Dr Martin Keulertz
Food & water security
Dr Izak Atiyas
Economics & industrial policy
Raiman Al-Hamdani
Yemen stabilisation and development
Kate Dourian
Energy markets
Dr Eckart Woertz
Food & energy securityWe work with a network of close to 100 trusted advisors. Our subject matter experts include academics from prominent universities and research institutes, think-tankers, retired government officials, IGO and NGO members, technology specialists and executives in the private sector. All advisors have signed a framework agreement with us and are bound by strict confidentiality rules.
Policy briefs
A multilateral collateralized digital currency as an instrument of influence for oil-exporting states
Gulf States are in the front line of the strategic competition between China and the United States. The former seeks to secure a steady supply of oil while extending its economic and technology influence. The latter continues to play a dominant role in enabling the defence of Gulf States while leveraging this position to keep them from embracing China. This situation is also reflected in the recurring topic of the dedollarization of global oil-trade and China’s desire to settle oil-purchases in its own currency, the Renminbi, which for a variety of reasons does not yet serve the interests of Gulf-based oil-exporters. This report argues that a multilateral and oil-collateralized digital currency (MCDC) could provide like-minded Gulf oil-exporters with a tool of partial monetary policy independence and enhanced global influence, ultimately enabling them to carve a more independent policy that serves their own interest rather than the one of either of the two super-powers.
How can GCC countries achieve equilibrium in the China-India competition?
The competition between China and India continues to grow, driven by territorial disputes and China’s growing strategic dominance and assertiveness. Both countries are also increasing their demand for energy and raw materials to fuel their economic growth. In our latest report, Dr Naranayappa Janardhan (Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy) and Nicolas Dunais (Azal Advisors) argue that Gulf policymakers should pursue a balanced relationship with China and India, avoid “picking sides”, and where possible, encourage them to cooperate rather than compete in the commercial and security realms.
Nudging GCC citizens to sustainability: the imperatives of cultural awareness & local knowledge
Many GCC governments have established or are in the process of establishing behavioural economics (“nudge”) units as an additional instrument of policymaking, with the support of Western experts. With sustainability considerations becoming more central in the policy development process, nudging has a key role to play in effectively changing citizen behaviour. Yet local specificities mean that replicating models which have worked abroad is fraught with risk: social habits among GCC citizens can result in nudge campaigns having the opposite effects to the ones intended. In this context, it is essential to leverage local expertise to ensure campaigns are effectively delivered and government efficiency is maximized.