Middle East

This paper provides details and links for ministerial statements and parliamentary debates (from both Houses of Parliament) that cover international affairs and defence.

This landing page features Commons Library briefings on international elections .

This Insight looks at the weakness of statistics on Covid-19 cases, responses from President Hadi’s UN-backed Government and that of Houthi rebels and the impact of falling aid funding on the country’s healthcare system.

The Library has published a series of briefings on international dimensions of the coronavirus pandemic since March 2020, ranging from general surveys of its impact on developing countries to assessments of its effects in specific situations. Links to these briefings can be found here.

Spot oil prices were just over $40 per barrel in mid June 2020. The crashed after the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown led to a dramatic cut in demand. Prices fell from almost $70 a barrel in early January to below $20 per barrel in late April 2020. Oil prices peaked in July 2008 at almost $150 per barrel and were in the $100-125 range for much of 2011 to early 2014.

On 28 January 2020, the Trump Administration published its peace plan for the Middle East. Among its more controversial proposals is a land swap between Israel and the Palestinians. This would require Israel to annex land currently occupied by settlements in the West Bank. The Israeli Government plans to begin discussions in the Cabinet from 1 July.

Are sanctions against countries like Iran hindering them in their efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic?

This Insight looks at the main challenges facing the territories in responding to the crisis as well as Israeli and international donor responses.

The FCO has advised against all non-essential global travel and has urged Britons travelling abroad to return to the UK as soon as possible. MPs have questioned the government's response. Here we look at what the FCO has done to help British travellers return home and reaction from MPs and the media. The paper provides information on how to access FCO travel advice.

A general debate on the situation in Yemen has been scheduled for Tuesday 24 March 2020 in the Main Chamber.

A Westminster Hall debate on ‘Freedom of religion or belief’ has been scheduled for Thursday 12 March 2020 from 1.30pm to 3.00pm. The debate has been initiated by Jim Shannon MP.

A Westminster Hall debate on ‘Radicalisation in the Palestinian school curriculum’ has been scheduled for Tuesday 10 March 2020 from 2:30-4:00pm. The debate has been initiated by Jonathan Gullis MP.