Middle East Countries Research Articles

The Application of Mask Diplomacy: China’s Belt and Road Initiative as Health Diplomacy in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Countries During COVID-19

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a diversification of economic, diplomatic, and geopolitical activities, previously known as the “New Silk Road”, which was later changed to “One Belt and One Road”. BRI is one of the Chinese Government’s most ambitious foreign and economic policies. China uses this route to expand its influence and gain attention in destinations in commodities, energy, transportation, and others in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) countries. This paper uses descriptive qualitative methods to explore various unique phenomena from the Health Silk Road against Vaccination in MENA countries. As a result, 17 countries have become members of the BRI and have cooperated with China, and at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, most MENA countries are using vaccine diplomacy from China to overcome their crisis. This situation is used for China to carry out “Mask Diplomacy” to expand its influence in MENA countries. This proves to be effective for China in improving and creating more significant opportunities to emerge as a “hero” in providing health services to developing countries while increasing its presence in the world. Kata Kunci: COVID-19; Vaccine diplomacy; Belt Road Initiative; Mask Diplomacy; MENA

Analysis of Brucellosis Incidence and Molecular-Genetic Characteristics of Brucella Population in the Territory of the Russian Federation

An analysis of brucellosis incidence in Russia in 2013–2022 and the data on genetic diversity of Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus populations isolated in Russia in 1939–2022 are provided in the review. Over the past decade, the epidemiological situation in Russia has been characterized as unstable against the background of persistent unfavorable conditions for brucellosis in cattle and small ruminants. During the period of 2013–2022 (9 months), 4298 epizootic foci as regards brucellosis in cattle (89164 sick animals) and 371 as regards brucellosis in small ruminants (13569) were registered. The largest number of epizootic brucellosis foci was recorded in the North-Caucasian and Southern Federal Districts. In 2013–2022, on average, 327 cases of brucellosis among people were registered annually, the incidence rate per 100 000 of the population was 0.24. Up to 70–90 % of brucellosis cases were detected in the south of the European part of the country. A trend towards deterioration of the situation on brucellosis in Volga (Penza and Samara Regions) and Central (Smolensk, Voronezh and Tula Regions) Federal Districts is observed. There is a connection between the intensity of epidemic manifestations of brucellosis and the level of anthropurgic enzooty of territories. In 2022, 467 cases of brucellosis were reported (0.32 per 100 000 of the population), which is 42.8 % higher than annual average values over 10 years. In 2023, a measure of stability of incidence rates, by 20–25 % above average long-term values, is to be expected. Incidence of brucellosis in humans will be within the range of 380–410 cases (0.26–0.28 per 100 000 of the population). The results of genotyping of B. melitensis strains point to an increase in the proportion of isolates with an MLVA-profile characteristic of strains from enzootic as regards brucellosis countries of Middle East and North Africa over past 20–25 years, which can indicate importation (introduction) of the infection from these territories to Russia through small ruminants and/or biomaterial from them.

Exploring radiative sky cooling resource map and the impact of meteorological conditions on radiative emitters. A perspective of GCC countries

The thermoregulation of indoor spaces has become a pertinent concern due to rising global temperatures and heat agglomeration. Besides extensive energy consumption in conventional air conditioners, the released heat and greenhouse gases exacerbate cooling requirements. Several regions of the world, such as the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean countries, are facing temperature rises almost twice as fast as the rest of the world due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, which have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of nearly 400 million people in this region. This study explored the radiative sky cooling (RSC) potential resource map across the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) region, providing it as a sustainable solution to address the aforementioned challenges. A brief comparison of the daytime, nighttime, seasonal, and annual RSC potential is provided for all six countries within the GCC region. The average annual RSC power is between 116.58 W/m2 and 61.80 W/m2 with an average of 82.60 W/m2. Based on meteorological conditions such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, solar irradiance, cloud cover, and atmospheric transmissivity, the highest RSC power is estimated for Kuwait, with an annual average RSC power of 91.12 W/m2. In comparison, the lowest annual average RSC power of 72.50 W/m2 is found for Oman. Since the climatic conditions within this region remain similar throughout the year, there is not much discrepancy in the average RSC capacity throughout spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Furthermore, the average nighttime RSC power is found to be 92.74 W/m2, which is about 18.47% higher than the daytime average RSC of approximately 67.77 W/m2.

Optimum Scenarios of EV Charging Infrastructure: A Case Study for the Saudi Arabia Market

The lack of an EV charging infrastructure is of the top five barriers preventing the adoption of EVs on a large scale. A long charging time is also one of the five barriers, according to the latest survey published by the IEA in 2021. The estimated increase in demand for EVs is a big challenge in many countries all around the world. This challenge exists in many EU and Middle East countries. The main reason for this problem is the requirement of huge funds to install enough public charging points that result in satisfactory charging services. Hence, the phase-out plans of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles can be carried out successfully and smoothly. Unfortunately, there is a trade-off between the cost of installing charging points and EV charging time. Therefore, it is important to optimize both factors simultaneously. This way, the charging services can be provided at the minimum possible cost and at a satisfactory level of quality. This study determines the optimum ratio of the number of chargers to the number of EVs in a certain province. The optimal number of chargers that are necessary to optimally serve a certain number of EVs has been determined. Two well-known evolutionary search techniques have solved the optimization problem: particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GA). Both algorithms have succeeded in providing many optimal charging infrastructure scenarios. Hence, the decision maker can select the most convenient scenario from several alternatives based on the available budgets and the most convenient charging time.

The moderating role of CEO overconfidence on debt maturity decisions: evidence from the MENA region

Purpose This study aims to analyze how cultural variations impact the relationship between long-term debt use and managerial overconfidence. Investigate into how the relationship between growth prospects and the utilization of long-term debt is moderated by managerial overconfidence. In addition, the research explores the moderating effect of managerial overconfidence on cash flow levels. Design/methodology/approach The study used long-term debt as the dependent variable and used generalized method of moments–instrumental variables regression analysis to examine data from 356 firms across 11 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries and 5 industries between 2013 and 2021. Findings CEO overconfidence moderately boosts the link between long-term debt maturity and growth potential, particularly for firms with limited internal funding. Cultural factors, such as masculinity and uncertainty avoidance, play a significant role in moderating the relationship between managerial overconfidence and debt maturity choices. Practical implications To understand the impact of managerial overconfidence on a company’s debt maturity decision, it is essential for boards and shareholders to consider and monitor the CEO’s behavioral traits, particularly for growing companies. Regulators and policymakers must also be wary of the risk of internal control weakening due to overconfident managers, especially in MENA markets. Originality/value The authors’ contribution to the literature lies in exploring how managerial overconfidence moderates the agency conflict between shareholders and debtholders in MENA region firms, which has received minimal attention in previous studies. This study expands the knowledge of the impact of managerial overconfidence on emerging economies and provides evidence that national culture plays a vital role in determining debt financing decisions.

School-based physical activity interventions among children and adolescents in the Middle East and Arabic speaking countries: A systematic review.

It is widely recognised that noncommunicable diseases are on the rise worldwide, partly due to insufficient levels of physical activity (PA). It is a particularly concerning health issue among children and adolescents in Arabic countries where cultural and environmental factors may limit their opportunity for engaging in physical activities. This review sought to assess the effectiveness of school-based PA interventions for increasing PA among schoolchildren aged six to 18 years in Middle Eastern and Arabic-speaking countries. A systematic literature search was developed to identify studies reporting the evaluation of school-based PA interventions in Arabic-speaking countries. Four different databases were searched from January 2000 to January 2023: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and CINAHL. Article titles and abstracts were screened for relevance. Full article scrutiny of retrieved shortlisted articles was undertaken. After citation searches and reference checking of included papers, full data extraction, quality assessment and narrative synthesis was undertaken for all articles that met the inclusion criteria. This review adhered to PRISMA guidelines for conducting systematic reviews. Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria. Eleven articles reported statistically significant improvements in the levels of PA among their participants. Based largely on self-reported outcomes, increases in PA between 58% and 72% were reported. The studies with a follow-up period greater than three months reported sustained PA levels. There are a limited range of types of programmes evaluated and evaluations were only identified from 30% of the countries in the region. Relatively few studies focused solely on PA interventions and most of the interventions were multi-component (lifestyle, diet, education). This review adds to the existing body of research about the efficacy of school-based interventions to increase physical activity levels. To date, few evaluations assess PA specific interventions and most of the interventions were multi-component including education components on lifestyle and diet. Long-term school-based interventions combined with rigorous theoretical and methodological frameworks are necessary to develop, implement and evaluate PA interventions for children and adolescents in Arabic-speaking countries. Also, future work in this area must also consider the complex systems and agents by which physical activity is influenced.

The Response to the Initiation of the Artsakh Movement in the “Alik” Daily Newspaper

Key words: Perestroika, Nagorno-Karabakh, national movement, unification, national self-determination, Armenian Diaspora Press “Alik” is an Armenian daily newspaper published in Tehran (Iran). It was founded in March 1931. The newspaper has its own publishing house and printing premises, that publishes books in Armenian and Persian. The newspaper "Alik" covers the life of the Armenian communities, especially the events of a national character. The newspaper has a large information section, which contains substantial data about the events in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk, concerning all Armenians. Since Iran is a country adjacent to Armenia, the information in the newspaper, of course, prevails from Armenia. The Artsakh movement that started in February 1988, found a wide-response in the Armenian Press of the Middle East countries, as well as in the Tehran-based “Alik” Daily Newspaper. The newspaper addresses the events unfolded in Karabakh and Armenia with news information and publication from Sonet and foreign mass media. The publications of “Alik” indicate that the newspaper was aware of the background of the Karabakh problem, regarding which it shows a national and pro-Armenian position. The newspaper associates the rise of the Armenians movement with Gorbachev’s perestroika policy. Believing in the promises of solving national problems and developing democracy, the Armenians demanded self-determination and unification with mother Armenia. “Alik” considers the struggle of the Armenians fair, qualifies it as a claim of national ideology, the solution of which will put an end to historical injustice happened in the 1920s. In this respect, the paper urges the Armenians to unite and prepare for the fight, but simultaneously it calls on Armenians to be alert and careful with their demands.

The Contribution of Tourism Industry Cash Flows to Economic Growth “Middle East Evidence”

This study aims to verify the extent to which the tourism sector contributes to economic growth measured by gross domestic income (GDP) in emerging countries. This study relied on the applied research method through correlation, simple and multiple regression. The study sample consisted of all tourism companies in Jordan. Quarterly Cash flows of tourism sector was traced from 2008-2021 and linked to GDP. The study reached the following conclusions, the simple regression confirmed the positive impact for all economic sectors including tourism sector on GDP; on the other hand, the multiple regression results for the joint influence of all sectors together on GDP only five sectors including tourism found with positive impact on GDP. Further evidence was found for the importance of tourism contribution to local income after excluding this sector from total earnings, the explanatory power of all sectors to GDP was decreased by 25%. The overall results of study recommended to give more attention to this sector in emerging economics particularly middle east countries.

Comparative Analysis on the Continent of Origin of Pre-Pandemic Foreign Tourists in Caraga, Philippines

This study analysed the pre-pandemic foreign tourist arrivals in Caraga Region of the Philippines. Causal-comparative research design was used using secondary data from the Regional Social and Economic Trends in 2022 Caraga from the Philippine Statistical Authority. The data covered foreign visits from 2012-2019 which were analysed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe’s Test. Findings revealed that Middle East countries have the least number of visits in Caraga and statistically not significantly different from countries in Australia. On the other hand, visitors from Europe, America, and Asia comprised another subset of visitors who have the most number of visits in Caraga

CEO’s Characteristics and CSR Disclosure: Evidence from Islamic Banks across MENA Region

The purpose of this paper was to explore the relationship between the characteristics of the chief executive officer (CEO) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) of banks operating in the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries. The study hypotheses was tested using a multiple linear regression model by examining data from a sample of 97 Islamic banks operating in the MENA region between 2015 and 2019. The results were robustly checked and the findings indicated that both CEO’s overconfidence, experience and education appear to have a significantly positive effect on the CSR disclosure. Furthermore, the results of multiple linear regressions showed that older CEO’s have a negative and significant impact on the level of CSR disclosure. This research bridges the gap between theory and practice in many aspects. Thus, although a substantial volume of research has examined sustainable advantage, one vital aspect of CSR has been largely unexplored. This study fills this void in the literature, namely the interaction between CEO’s characteristics and CSR disclosure. An explicit CSR disclosure may improve social well-being in emerging markets.

Climate change, renewable and non-renewable energy consumption and agricultural development in the Middle East and North African countries

Climate change, renewable and non-renewable energy consumption and agricultural development in the Middle East and North African countries

Comparative advantage and direction of trade in export of marine products from India

The study aims to examine the export performance and potential, comparative advantage and direction of tradeof Indian marine products and its possible impact on Indian economy. The secondary data required for the study werecompiled from various sources likeTrade Mapand Marine Products Export Development Authority for the period of2002-03 to 2021-22.The Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) index and Markov Chain techniquesrespectively were used to assess the export competitiveness and direction of change in export of Indian marine products.Theresults of the study revealed that, the RSCA index was around 0.60 in 2002-03 which was highest value till date and reducedto 0.17 during 2009-10. Further it has been observed from the Markov Chain technique that, USA was identified as one ofthe most loyal importer and Middle East countries and ‘Others’ were identified as unstable importers of Indian marineproducts

Facing COVID-19 in Middle EFacing COVID-19 in Middle East Countries: Challenges and Lessons from Previous Epidemicsast Countries: Challenges and Lessons from Previous Epidemics

Facing COVID-19 in Middle EFacing COVID-19 in Middle East Countries: Challenges and Lessons from Previous Epidemicsast Countries: Challenges and Lessons from Previous Epidemics

Arab Spring, democratization of corruption, and income inequality

AbstractHow do political crises affect the interaction between economic and political outcomes? In this paper, we study one of the consequences of political turmoil by empirically examining whether the Arab Spring influenced the relationship between corruption and income inequality. Using panel data from 1996 to 2019 for the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, we find that while corruption is positively associated with income inequality, the interaction term between corruption and the Arab Spring is negatively associated with income inequality. This result is consistent with the view that corruption has become more democratized after the Arab Spring. We use instrumental variable (IV) analysis to address potential endogeneity issues. Our findings suggest that not only studying the direct effects of political crises on economic and institutional variables is important, but studying their effects on shaping the association between economic and institutional variables can be insightful.

A Comparative Analysis of the Electricity Load Profiles of Some European and Asian Countries. Part 1. Annual Profiles

Nowadays, new technologies are intensely introduced in the electric power industry. Thus, at the level of electrical distribution networks, these are distributed generation based on renewable energy sources, electricity storage devices, electric vehicles, etc. Developed countries have adopted a policy toward reducing the mankind’s carbon footprint, also by optimizing the power consumption. In developing countries, a significant growth of electricity consumption and electrification of the population is seen. To select adequate solutions, it is necessary to know the description of power consumption processes in the form of electricity load profiles. The article presents an overview of statistical data on the dynamics of annual electricity consumption in the power systems of various countries, the results of monitoring the annual electricity consumption by individual households in Western Europe and articles in periodicals. The annual electricity load profiles in Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, and Portugal are given. For each of the electricity load profiles, the primary source of information is specified. In the second part of the article, daily electricity load profiles will be addressed. In the annual context, the electricity consumption dynamics is primarily governed by the climatic zone, the changes of seasons, and by the extent to which the households and office buildings locating in the tropical and subtropical climate are provided with air conditioners. In Southeast Asia countries, the annual maximum of electricity load is observed in May. In Central Asia countries and in the most of European countries, the annual maximum electricity load falls on December - January, and the minimum - on the summer months. In the Middle East countries located in the tropical zone, the annual maximum electricity load falls on the summer period; in Southern Europe and Middle East countries belonging to the subtropical zone, the annual maximum load falls on December-January, but in the summer period, a growth of electricity consumption compared with the autumn-spring period is observed. The results of the review and the selected primary sources can be useful as source information on the electricity consumption processes for various studies in the electric power industry field.

Seismic failure modes of masonry structures exposed to Kahramanmaraş earthquakes (Mw 7.7 and 7.6) on February 6, 2023

In this study, the failure modes of masonry structures after the earthquakes (Mw 7.7 and 7.6) occurred in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023 were investigated by fieldwork. Within the scope of the study, information of the building stock in Türkiye and the Middle East countries was given, and a literature regarding the major failure modes in masonry structures was mentioned. The characteristics of the ground acceleration and earthquake parameters measured during the earthquake were presented. Damage distributions in historic masonry structures and masonry dwellings were examined. In addition to the out-of-plane behavior which is the most common failure mechanism in masonry structures, the corner failure mechanism has been also observed in many masonry buildings. It has been determined that the corner failure mechanism is triggered by the combination of the in-plane and out-of-plane failure behaviors. In this manner, the observed damages were classified as in-plane, out-of-plane, and corner failures. It has been determined that damaged masonry structures are mostly out of use with out-of-plane and corner failure mechanisms. These two failure mechanisms were directly related to inadequate wall-roof and wall-floor connections, insufficient axial load, low material strength, poor workmanship, and the lack of engineering service. In-plane failure mechanisms are triggered by irregular door and window openings exceeding the limits given in the regulations. In addition, it has been revealed that many masonry buildings do not have adequate vertical and horizontal lintel band to increase the lateral seismic performance of the walls. In the last part of the study, the advantages and disadvantages of the strengthening methods that can be used in masonry structures with light and moderate damage were examined, and some suggestions were made.

Sığırların Nodüler Ekzantemi hastalığında vektör kene ile konak arasındaki ilişkinin moleküler araştırılması

Lumpy Skin Diseases Virus (LSDV), belonging to the capripoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, causes significant infections in cattle, especially in African and Middle East countries. LSD is an arboviral disease that spreads with bloodsucking flies as the primary source of infection. However, in experimental studies, nucleic acid belonging to the LSDV has been detected in ticks, and it has been reported that ticks may also play a role in transmission. Within the scope of this study, we have aimed to investigate the vector tick-host relationship of the disease by collecting blood and tick samples from cattle, sheep, and goats in Samsun, Sivas, and Tokat provinces, where LSD infections are intensely detected in the Black Sea Region in Turkey. For this purpose, ticks and blood samples were collected from 88 cattle, 511 sheep, and 108 goats with tick infestation between March 2016 and October 2017. A total of 2508 ticks were collected from these animals, whose blood samples with EDTA were taken, and the ticks were classified according to species. Blood samples and ticks were tested to reveal the presence of LSDV nucleic acids by real-time PCR, and LSDV nucleic acids could not be detected in both blood samples or ticks.

Geothermal Power Corridor- connecting the Middle East Countries

The Middle East economy and life depend on imports, be it food, water, or energy, despite each country in the region having enormous energy resources to exploit and reduce dependency on countries outside the region and develop a socioeconomic model of regional cooperation and synergy. An estimated 371 TWh of electricity available from geothermal energy resources can be utilized by these countries to support basic needs and be free from food-energy-water imports by sharing their energy resources. The total amount of CO2 emissions from these countries is currently 945 x 106 kg, so these countries can further earn about 92 million euros from carbon savings, by using geothermal energy along this corridor. This amount can be utilized for augmenting the energy supply from geothermal sources. In this work, the available geothermal resources are evaluated, and suggestions are made how this energy can be best utilized for peaceful existence and cooperation in the region.

Energy commodity and stock market interconnectedness: Evidence from carbon emission trading system

This research paper investigates the various dependence structures across oil prices, emission prices and stock markets for Middle East and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This study enables us to form a judgement on how the phased implementation of Kyoto protocol and COP26 on climate change is likely to be translated into changes in policy multipliers as the changes feed into the real economy through stock market movements. We employ the spillover index developed by Diebold and Yilmaz (2012) and Baruník and Křehlík (2018) to identify the most strongly related stock index to oil price return. Also, we investigate how emission price (which represents the cost of pollution) changes feed into oil price and how that impact on stock markets and what is the short- and long run spillovers between them. It is important to acknowledge some of the limitations of this study. One potential limitation is the focus on a specific geographic region, the Middle East and GCC countries. This may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions. Additionally, the study focuses on the dependence structure among oil prices, emission prices, and stock markets, and does not consider other factors that may influence the relationship between these variables. Nonetheless, our study provides useful empirical evidence for assessing the impact of energy transition on both oil prices and stock price movements and can inform the development of diversified revenue streams for the region. In terms of future research, it would be worthwhile to extend the analysis to include additional variables, such as renewable energy prices, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play in the energy markets of the Middle East and GCCs.

A Perspective Study of Islamic Tourism for Muslims in Asian and Western Countries of Halal Growth

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of halal tourism practices in Islamic countries, and the demand for halal products in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries. The study also aims to identify strategies to enhance the competitiveness of halal tourists in global markets. Theoretical Framework: The framework of this study is grounded on the understanding of the prevalent halal practices in tourism, and the cultural and heritage aspects of the Muslim community that influence these practices. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study adopts a qualitative research approach, employing interviews as the primary data collection method. The study is also informed by a review of the current literature on halal tourism practices. Findings: The results of this study shed light on the demand for halal products in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries, and identify various proposals to enhance halal tourism practices in Muslim countries in the future. The study also reveals the potential for a boost in halal product packaging in Islamic countries through the assessment of the Muslim's cultural heritage. Research, Practical & Social implications: This study contributes to the understanding of halal tourism, offering strategies for the improvement of halal tourism competitiveness worldwide. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and protecting the interests of Muslims, particularly in Middle East countries, within the global tourism industry. Originality/Value: The value of this study lies in its focus on a relatively unexplored aspect of global tourism – halal tourism practices in Islamic countries. It addresses a significant gap in the current literature, providing fresh insights into halal product demand and the influence of Muslim cultural heritage.