Middle East And North Africa Countries Research Articles

Bank performance and financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from the MENA region

PurposeThis study investigates the role of market concentration and efficiency in banking system stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. We empirically test the hypothesis that market concentration and efficiency are significant determinants of bank performance and stability during the time of crises, using a sample of 575 banks in 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).Design/methodology/approachThe main sources of bank data are the BankScope and BankFocus (Bureau van Dijk) databases, World Bank development indicators, and official websites of banks in MENA countries. This study combined descriptive and analytical approaches. We utilize a panel dataset and adopt panel data econometric techniques such as fixed/random effects and the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator.FindingsThe results reveal that market concentration negatively affects bank profitability, whereas improved efficiency further enhances bank performance and contributes to the banking sector’s overall stability. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that during the COVID-19 pandemic, bank stability strongly depended on the level of market concentration, but not on bank efficiency. However, more efficient banks are more profitable and stable if the banking institutions are Islamic. Similarly, Islamic banks with the same level of efficiency demonstrated better overall financial performance during the pandemic than their conventional peers did.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is related to the period of COVID-19 pandemic that was covered in this paper (2020–2021). Therefore, further investigation of the COVID-19 effects on bank profitability and risk will require an extended period of the pandemic crisis, including 2022.Practical implicationsThis study provides information that will enable bank managers and policymakers in MENA countries to assess the growing impact of market concentration and efficiency on the banking sector stability. It also helps them in formulating suitable strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our recommendations are useful guides for policymakers and regulators in countries where Islamic and conventional banking systems co-exist and compete, based on different business models and risk management practices.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the banking stability literature by investigating the role of market concentration and efficiency as the main determinants of bank performance and stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is the first to analyze banking sector stability in the MENA region, using both individual and risk-adjusted aggregated performance measures.

Challenges and way forward for implementation of sugar taxation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Over consumption of added sugar beyond the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of 10% of daily energy intake has well-established negative health consequences including oral diseases. However, the average consumption of added sugar in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA-World Bank's regional classification) is 70% higher than the WHO recommended level. Imposing taxes on added sugar has been proposed by the WHO to decrease its consumption. Yet, only 21.6% of the total MENA population are covered by taxation policies targeting added sugar. Well-recognized challenges for the implementation of sugar taxation in MENA include the tactics used by the food and beverage industry to block these type of policies. However, there are also other unfamiliar hurdles specific to MENA. Historically, there have been incidents of protest and riots partially sparked by increased price of basic commodities, including sugar, in MENA countries. This may affect the readiness of policy makers in the region to impose added sugar taxes. In addition, there are also cultural, lifestyle and consumption behavioural barriers to implementing added sugar taxation. Ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened-beverages (SSBs) rich in added sugar are perceived by many in MENA as essential treats regardless of their health risks. Furthermore, some countries even provide subsidies for added sugar. Also, (oral) healthcare providers generally do not engage in policy advocacy mainly due to limited training on health policy. Here, we discuss these challenges and suggest some ways forward such as (1) support from a health-oriented political leadership, (2) raising public awareness about the health risks of over consumption of sugar, (3) transparency during the policy-cycle development process, (4) providing a free and safe environment for a community dialogue around the proposed policy, (5) training of (oral) healthcare professionals on science communication and policy advocacy in local lay language/dialect, ideally evidence informed from local/regional studies, (6) selecting the appropriate political window of opportunity to introduce a sugar tax policy, and (7) clear and strict conflict of interest regulations to limit the influence of commercial players on health policy.

Burden and Epidemiology of Mental Disorders in the Middle East and North Africa from 1990 to 2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study

Previous studies have mainly focused on individual mental disorders, and there is no study addressing the total burden of mental disorders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). To evaluate the burden of mental disorders in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019. A cross-sectional study. We utilized global burden of disease data to examine the burden of 12 mental disorders from 1990 to 2019 across age groups, genders, and the 21 MENA countries. We collected data on prevalence, incidence, mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALY), including both crude and age-standardized rates per 100,000 people. The DALY rate of mental disorders in MENA countries increased by 13.88% from 1,747.92 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 1990.5 per 100,000 people in 2019. The highest percentage increases in the DALY rates of mental disorders were observed for bulimia nervosa (35.69%), other mental health disorders (34.58%), and schizophrenia (33.02%) from 1990 to 2019. However, the DALY rates for idiopathic developmental intellectual disability (-26.48%), conduct disorder (-23.91%), attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorder (-16.46%), and autism spectrum disorders (-4.12%) decreased in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, the highest DALY rates for idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder were observed in age groups ≤ 4 years, 5-19 years, and ≥ 20 years, respectively. The age-standardized DALY rate of mental disorders was the highest in Palestine (2,396.9 per 100,000), Iran (2,295.8 per 100,000), and Lebanon (2,126.0 per 100,000) compared with other MENA countries in 2019. There has been a slight increase in the burden of mental disorders in the MENA region between 1990 and 2019. National policies should prioritize evidence-based preventive measures and ensure accessible treatment options for mental health disorders in the population, especially in the MENA region.

Assessing the Impacts of Technological Innovation on Carbon Emissions in MENA Countries: Application of the Innovation Curve Theory

This study investigates the relationship between technological innovation, renewable energy, economic growth, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in a group of six specific Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries from 1990 to 2019. The study utilizes the modified innovation environmental Kuznets curve model (ICC) theory to examine the potential existence of an inverted U-shaped curve between innovation and environmental quality in these selected MENA countries. Various econometric methods are employed to analyse the data. The results show a positive and significant impact of patents for residents on CO2 emissions, affirming the influence of patents on environmental quality. Additionally, the square of patents demonstrates a significant negative relationship with carbon emissions, providing evidence for the inverted U shape of Claudia’s theory. These findings imply that the ICC is relevant to the selected countries, with the quadratic patent variable suggesting that the use of innovative technology initially increases emissions but reaches a turning point after a certain threshold.

Precious metals as hedging assets: Evidence from MENA countries

In the context of the global pandemic of 2020 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a newfound interest is emerging in understanding the interconnections between the Dow Jones (United States), Amman SE General (Jordan), BLSI (Lebanon), EGX 30 (Egypt), ISRAEL TA 125 (Israel), MASI (Morocco), and MOEX (Russia) indices and the precious metals markets Gold Bullion LBM, Silver, Handy & Harman, London Platinum, from January 1, 2018 to November 23, 2023. The study aimed to determine whether precious metals such as Gold, Silver, and Platinum can be considered hedging assets to the stock markets of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, i.e., whether investors operating in these regional markets can rebalance their portfolios with these precious metals. The structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) methodology allowed assessing the influence of the analyzed markets on each other regarding price formation. The results show that the markets interacted very significantly during the stress period. Platinum was the market that most influenced its peers (1 to 8 comovements), the MOEX, 1 to 7, MASI, 2 to 6, the Dow Jones went from 4 to 7 comovements, the Amman SE General and EGX 30 markets went from 1 to 4, the Israeli market (ISRAEL TA 125) and Silver went from 2 to 4 comovements, and finally the Gold Bullion LBM from 3 to 4. The study’s conclusions contain important information for investors, policymakers, and other participants in the financial energy markets. Acknowledgments The authors are grateful for the comments and suggestions from reviewers that helped improve the quality of the manuscript. Rui Dias is pleased to acknowledge the financial support from Instituto Superior de Gestão (ISG) [ISG - Business & Economics School], CIGEST.

Smoking-Related Disease Impact in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Comprehensive Assessment Using Global Burden of Disease Data.

Smoking remains a significant risk factor for numerous health issues, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infections. This study investigates the burden of tobacco-related diseases in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Utilizing the GBD data, we examined the risk of smoking and second-hand smoke exposure and their related causes of death and disability in the 22 MENA countries. Smoking prevalence and disease burden data were analyzed with estimates reported as age-standardized rates. Tobacco abuse accounted for 14.5% of all deaths and 23.2% of deaths tied to known risk factors, with an age-standardized death rate of 110.8 per 100,000. Cardiovascular diseases were the primary cause of smoking-related deaths and DALYs, representing 53.4% of all deaths and 50.3% of all DALYs. This was followed by neoplasms (24.6% of all deaths and 20.3% of all DALYs), chronic respiratory diseases(12.4% of all deaths and 11.9% of all DALYs), and respiratory infections and tuberculosis(4% of all deaths and 3.4% of all DALYs). Second-hand smoking caused 20.5% of tobacco-related deaths and 21.5% of tobacco-related DALYs, disproportionately affecting younger individuals. An increasing disease burden was observed in Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, and Libya, and declining rates were most evident in Oman and Qatar. Our study emphasizes the impact of smoking on cardiovascular disease, the primary cause of smoking-related mortality and morbidity in the MENA region. Our findings highlight the urgent need for effective tobacco control policies and interventions.

Linkages between ICT diffusion, renewable energy consumption, and carbon emissions: a comparative analysis of SAARC, MENA, and OECD countries.

This paper examines the linkages between information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion, renewable energy consumption (REC), and carbon (CO2) emissions across three distinct regions: the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations. We explore the causal pathways linking these variables and perform a comparative assessment of region-specific patterns with their policy implications. Utilizing a panel dataset of 28 countries from 1998 to 2019, we employ panel ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS, and D-H causality tests. The comprehensive analysis of the sample reveals that ICT development enhances CO2 emissions, whereas REC reduces emissions. However, the comparative analysis suggests a positive linkage between ICT diffusion and CO2 emissions in MENA and OECD countries but a negative linkage in SAARC countries. Further, REC substantially reduces emissions in MENA and OECD countries but has an insignificant effect in SAARC countries. Our findings corroborate the first-order effect of ICT (negative environmental impact) in MENA and OECD countries, with contextual variations attributed to economic structure, financial sector growth, trade openness, and industrialization. These findings offer pivotal insights for policymakers to leverage ICT capabilities and REC to attain sustainable development and mitigate climate change consequences.

Epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in the Middle East and North Africa.

The incidence of rare diseases is expected to be comparatively higher in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region than in other parts of the world, attributed to the high prevalence of consanguinity. Most MENA countries share social and economic statuses, cultural relativism, religious beliefs, and healthcare policies. Polycystic kidney diseases (PKDs) are the most common genetic causes of kidney failure, accounting for nearly 8.0% of dialysis cases. The development of PKDs is linked to variants in several genes, including PKD1, PKD2, PKHD1, DZIP1L, and CYS1. Autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD) is the less common yet aggressive form of PKD. ARPKD has an estimated incidence between 1:10,000 and 1:40,000. Most patients with ARPKD require kidney replacement therapy earlier than patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), often in their early years of life. This review gathered data from published research studies and reviews of ARPKD, highlighting the epidemiology, phenotypic presentation, investigations, genetic analysis, outcomes, and management. Although limited data are available, the published literature suggests that the incidence of ARPKD may be higher in the MENA region due to consanguineous marriages. Patients with ARPKD from the MENA region usually present at a later disease stage and have a relatively short time to progress to kidney failure. Limited data are available regarding the management practice in the region, which warrants further investigations.

Increasing Burden of Lower-Extremity Fractures in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A 30-Year Epidemiological Analysis.

Lower-extremity fractures (LEFs) account for >30% of all skeletal injuries, contributing to the global health and economic burden. Fracture epidemiology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been studied little. Health factors and disease epidemiology differ greatly among populations in MENA despite cultural, political, and economic similarities among the region's countries. This study examined the epidemiology of LEFs and the need for rehabilitation in MENA from 1990 to 2019. We examined the epidemiology of fractures of the pelvis, hip, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, ankle, and foot bones using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data. Fracture incidence, counts, and rates were measured for males and females across age groups in the 21 MENA countries as identified by the GBD data set. Associations between years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLD) resulting from fracture and the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) were analyzed. In contrast to the global trend, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of LEFs in the MENA region increased by 4.57% from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, the highest ASIR among fractures was attributed to fractures of the patella, fibula, tibia, or ankle (434.36 per 100,000), most frequently occurring among those 20 to 24 years of age. In 2019, the highest ASIR of all fractures was noted in Saudi Arabia (2,010.56 per 100,000) and the lowest, in Sudan (523.29 per 100,000). The greatest increases from 1990 to 2019 in the ASIR of LEFs were noted in Yemen (132.39%), Syria (107.27%), and Afghanistan (94.47%), while the largest decreases were found in Kuwait (-62.72%), Sudan (-48.72%), and Iran (-45.37%). In 2019, the YLD rate of LEFs had increased to 277.65 per 100,000, up from 235.55 per 100,000 in 1990. Between 1990 and 2019, LEFs increased in the MENA region. Violence, war, and road traffic accidents increased, leading to a high rate of fractures, especially among youth. Low bone-mineral density related to vitamin D deficiency has also been reported as a risk factor for fracture in the region. Regional health authorities should be informed of fracture patterns by this study. Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Challenges to Food Security in the Middle East and North Africa in the Context of the Russia–Ukraine Conflict

In this article, the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on food security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is analyzed. With Ukraine being recognized as one of the major global grain producers and exporters, the conflict is seen as posing a significant challenge to MENA countries, which are heavily dependent on grain imports from Ukraine. The importance of global linkages in food supply chains and their influence on regional food security is highlighted in this context. Utilizing secondary data from 2002 to 2021 obtained from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the study focuses on demography and food security, analyzing how these factors intertwine with grain export dynamics. The escalating hostilities have disrupted transportation routes, damaged infrastructure, and hindered logistics, resulting in substantial export volume reductions. Geopolitical tensions have exacerbated these effects, diminishing confidence among MENA grain importers. The study highlights how these disruptions have influenced global supply chains, prices, and agricultural product availability, with a specific focus on the MENA region’s challenges in food security, compounded by conflicts, climate change, and import dependence. A detailed demographic analysis reveals the impact of population changes on food demand and distribution, offering insights into how population growth and urbanization, alongside shifts in malnutrition and obesity rates, affect food security. The study concludes that the MENA region’s increasing reliance on food imports, coupled with climatic and political variabilities, underscores its growing vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions and the need for robust strategies to address these challenges.

Achieving Carbon-Neutrality in MENA Countries: Does Financial Inclusion Matter?

This study examines the relationship between financial inclusion, renewable energy, and CO2 emissions using data from 11 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries from 2004 to 2019. Evidence from fixed effects-ordinary least squares (FE-OLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), and canonical correlation regression (CRR) showed that financial inclusion contributes significantly to decarbonization. Country-specific analysis indicated that financial inclusion is associated with mitigating CO2 emissions in Egypt, Israel, Qatar, and Tunisia while significantly spurring CO2 emissions in Algeria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. In addition, renewable energy contributes significantly to decarbonization in MENA, especially in Algeria, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Turkey. We recommend that policies promoting financial inclusion and renewable energy usage would contribute to the attainment of the carbon-neutrality goal by MENA countries.

Are Institutions Improving the Contribution of Remittances to Economic Growth? A Panel Data Analysis

This paper is to test the hypothesis that better governance can improve the response of remittances on economic growth. Using panel data for 12 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries over the period of 2002 to 2020, the various estimates were carried out by the system generalised method of moments (GMM) method to examine the problem of endogeneity, and unobserved heterogeneity. The results indicate that migrant remittances have a direct negative link to economic growth due to it being mainly used for consumption. This increases the likelihood of dependency, which leads to the reduction of labour supply. The joint relationship between the governance composite index, and remittances, may moderate this negative effect on economic growth. However, considering the individual dimensions of governance, this shows that only the interaction between remittances and the control of corruption gives a positive and significant impact. The interaction between remittances and the five other governance quality indicators appears to be negative and insignificant. This shows that political instability, ineffective government, and poor regulatory quality encourages money transfer through informal channels that thwart economic growth in MENA countries.

Feasibility analysis and Atlas for green hydrogen project in MENA region: Production, cost, and environmental maps

Renewable energy markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries are growing quickly. Therefore, the objective of the current study is to investigate the feasibility of green hydrogen production based on the meteorological conditions within each MENAcountry utilizing a water electrolysis system powered by available solar and wind energies. In addition, it shows the opportunities for constructing hydrogen projects in MENA countries based on the available power, system performance, cost, and CO2 emission mitigation. The simulation is conducted using MATLAB/Simulink software. In addition, five degradation rates are examined in economic analysis in the context of hydrogen production from photovoltaic panels and wind turbines due to the unpredictability of the future value of money. The results revealed that the highest hydrogen production density for WT/H2 is 1.29 kg/m2 in Morocco, 1.26 kg/m2 in Egypt, 5.7 kg/m2 in Saudi Arabia, and 5.58 kg/m2 in Egypt for PV/H2. The WT/H2 system is more efficient than the PV/H2 system, with a maximum value of 31.54 %. The minimal production cost is 2.12 $/kg in Morocco and 2.17 $/kg in Egypt for the WT/H2. In the case of PV/H2, it is 3.28 $/kg in Saudi Arabia and 3.35 $/kg in Egypt. MENA countries have significant potential in hydrogen production and hydrogen investment. The range of CO2 mitigation lies between 11.47 and 87.4 kgCO2/m2. Finally, the current investigation revealed that the MENA region has an excellent opportunity to construct green hydrogen production projects based on wind/solar energies.

Prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents and adults in the Middle East and North Africa region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo systematically estimate the overall prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents and adults across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis conducted according...

Bond and Sukuk Interconnectedness Analysis: A Comparative Study between GCC and MENA Countries Amidst Global Crises

This paper aims to analyze the interconnectedness between Bond and Sukuk markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. This study utilized the TVP-VAR extended joint connectedness method. The observed period was from January 2020 to October 2023, encompassing significant global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Israeli-Palestinian war. The results show the interconnectedness of bond and sukuk markets in both regions by 73% (based on TCI). The Bond and Sukuk instruments in MENA act as transmitters, while Bond and Sukuk in GCC act as receivers. The study suggests that the Sukuk in GCC and MENA may serve as an attractive option for diversified assets compared to Bonds. Additionally, the paper highlights structural changes and market dynamics during the crisis period that affected financial stability in both regions.  The anticipated contribution of this study is to enriching the global economic in term of financial literature and offering policy insight to manage risks and improve financial system resilience in GCC and MENA countries.

The nexus between cash conversion cycle and operating performance: novel evidence from MENA region

PurposeThis article examines the relationship between the cash conversion cycle (CCC) and profitability in countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used dynamic panel methodology to analyze a dataset consisting of 395 firms from nonfinancial sectors in the MENA countries from 2013 to 2018. The authors developed several models consisting of different measures of profitability, CCC and the components of CCC. The control variables were used in the models at different levels.FindingsThe results bring out a significantly positive relationship between the CCC and profitability. However, mixed results have been obtained for industry and country details. The quadratic model revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship and the presence of an optimal point of CCC. The robustness checks have confirmed the results of the main models.Practical implicationsThe results of the study imply that corporate managers and policymakers ought to pay equal attention to the components of CCC when developing working capital policies and be aware of the optimal level of CCC.Originality/valueThis paper handles the endogeneity problem that is inherent in the relationship. It investigates and confirms the nonlinear characteristics of the relationship. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to use dynamic panel models to examine the CCC and its relationship with profitability in the MENA context.

Entrepreneur characteristics and financing patterns in SMES of MENA countries: Overcoming the burdens of liability of newness

AbstractThis study examines the impact of entrepreneur attributes on financing channels of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as the moderating role of firm age on this relationship. It examines a comprehensive dataset of 4139 firm‐year observations operating in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region observed over the 2013–2019 period. The results are four‐fold. First, our overall findings reveal that experienced entrepreneurs tend to use internal funds. Second, the university education of entrepreneurs positively correlates with debt financing. Third, female entrepreneurs are more eager to use internal funds and less debt. Fourth, firm age is found to moderate these relationships. Indeed, in young SMEs, experienced entrepreneurs are shown to rely on debt, graduated entrepreneurs on internal funds, and in older SMEs, female entrepreneurs use debt. Our results bear on the proposals of upper echelons and organizational lifecycle theories.

Estimating gravity coefficients with multiple layers of heterogeneity

AbstractWe estimate a gravity model for 205 countries, with data from 1954 to 2014, allowing for multiple layers of heterogeneity. The first layer arises from the interactions between a set of traditional gravity variables. The second one comes from country pairs that differ in values of the binary time‐independent gravity variables. Further layers come from different income groups and regions. Our results show the importance of heterogeneities at various levels. For instance, landlockedness is less restrictive when trading partners are contiguous or colonially linked. We also find, for example, that the positive interaction between landlockedness and contiguity is more (less) pronounced when non‐high‐income countries import (export) or when Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries import, and the negative interaction between landlockedness and language similarities is stronger when MENA countries export.

Bread, freedom or social justice? An empirical investigation into the determinants of the Arab Spring

ABSTRACTIs it a yearning for more political freedom, or a demand for the more mundane economic necessities of life which drives large waves of potentially destabilizing mass protests against authoritarian regimes? We examine this question in the context of the Arab Spring, which originated from Tunisia and Egypt in 2011 and soon spread through the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We use a static fixed effects model and a dynamic GMM model on a panel of 14 MENA countries for the period 2006–2017 to identify the major socio-economic and political determinants of both non-violent and violent Arab Spring protests. One of the main findings of our article is that, in contrast with the “intermediate regimes hypothesis”, the intermediate regimes tend to be more stable compared to both strictly authoritarian and relatively democratic regimes. Further, more nuanced dimensions of democracy, in terms of institutional checks on the authoritarian regime, have a positive impact on stability and reducing protests. With regard to socio-economic factors, our results show that factors leading to better living standards, such as higher economic growth and higher levels of GDP per capita, and transfers in the form of public expenditure (“authoritarian bargain”) partly mitigate the grievances and the resulting protests.

The Long Arm of the State: Transnational Repression against Exiled Activists from the Arab Gulf States

The Arab Spring was a period of intense activism demanding democracy and freedom that swept across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. While previous research has focused on the role of diaspora communities in the uprisings and the strategies employed by regimes to suppress them, it has primarily centered on countries that experienced large-scale revolutions and endured severe consequences. Consequently, the current literature has failed to explore the situation of Arab Gulf dissidents living in exile, instead focusing on a few isolated incidents. This paper examines the transnational repression (TR) campaign of the Arab Gulf states (AGSs). Drawing on the literature about the long arm of authoritarianism and TR, this paper explores the various TR methods employed by the AGSs to silence activists living abroad. The paper finds that the nature of TR in the Arab Gulf region is unique when compared with other MENA countries. The TR campaign of AGSs is alarmingly expanding, using various mechanisms and resources, making the region one of the world’s leading perpetrators. The methods employed by the AGSs include travel bans as part of their coercion by proxy, digital transnational repression, and the use of multilateral organizations as tools of repression. Additionally, this paper highlights the AGSs’ support of other countries’ TR.