Papers by Tankut Oztas
SSRN Electronic Journal
The COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated the pre-existing vulnerabilities and risks in the widely-mi... more The COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated the pre-existing vulnerabilities and risks in the widely-mismanaged economies of the Levant and North Africa, where medical systems are under-resourced and much-needed infrastructure either destroyed or lacking. A range of harsh anti-COVID-19 measures such as self-isolation, social distancing, and lockdowns, including total curfews and international travel restrictions have been implemented by governments to control the spread of the virus and to protect lives. As a result of these preventative measures, the essential economic and social aspects of the region as a whole is experiencing historic economic contractions as well as political shocks. Grounded on a political economy approach, this study examines the severity of the socio-political and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for the countries of the Levant and North Africa. With the support of a thorough analysis of descriptive and open source data, the study highlights that the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic takes a heavy-hit on sectors such as tourism, export companies, small and medium-sized businesses, which employ the largest share of the workforce and generate the important share of the revenue streams for the region’s economic development. A reduction in income from these sectors, as well as remittances and foreign investment, ultimately exacerbated poverty, deepen inequality and constrain households’ access to basic needs, including health services. The study concludes that the socio-political and economic vulnerabilities and risks are doom to be amplified across the region without stable political leadership, effective civil service, and a well-targeted set of economic recovery programmes.
Egypt is now heavily dependent on energy supply from the newly discovered gas fields in the Nile ... more Egypt is now heavily dependent on energy supply from the newly discovered gas fields in the Nile delta, as well as natural gas imports from Israel. The increasing military tension and the possibility of a geopolitical deadlock in the Eastern Mediterranean, however, has increased the risks and challenges for Egypt’s already fragile energy industry. The recently signed maritime border demarcation agreement between Greece and Egypt, for instance, has added a new dimension to the geopolitical rivalry in the eastern Mediterranean. In this context, this report represents a guide to understanding Egypt’s energy conundrum in the Eastern Mediterranean.
TRT World Research Centre, 2020
Egypt is now heavily dependent on energy supply from the newly discovered gas fields in the Nile ... more Egypt is now heavily dependent on energy supply from the newly discovered gas fields in the Nile delta, as well as natural gas imports from Israel. The increasing military tension and the possibility of a geopolitical deadlock in the Eastern Mediterranean, however, has increased the risks and challenges for Egypt’s already fragile energy industry. The recently signed maritime border demarcation agreement between Greece and Egypt, for instance, has added a new dimension to the geopolitical rivalry in the eastern Mediterranean. In this context, this report represents a guide to understanding Egypt’s energy conundrum in the Eastern Mediterranean.
TRT World Research Centre, 2020
This paper provides a discussion on Egypt’s political economy since the Free Officers Revolution ... more This paper provides a discussion on Egypt’s political economy since the Free Officers Revolution in 1952. It highlights the key phases of its transformation and provides an analysis on how the military regimes in Egypt monopolised power across the Egyptian economy for political gain. The paper postulates that Egypt’s current regime under al-Sisi, similar to his predecessors, implemented economic reforms characterised by what this paper refers to as ‘authoritarian liberalism’. The discussion starts with the period of Gamal Abd al-Nasser and illustrates the fundamental steps he took to steer Egypt’s economy towards a modern but socialist-oriented economy. It then goes on to discuss how his successor Anwar Sadat reversed Nasser’s economic policies and liberalised Egypt’s economy. Next, an in-depth analysis will follow on Hosni Mubarak’s three-decade-old regime before it was overthrown by a popular uprising in 2011. Furthermore, the paper outlines the brief period of democracy and civilian rule in Egypt under Muhammed Morsi. It explains why and how this period failed to deliver a permanent success. Finally, the focus is on key aspects of the regime put in place by new ruler Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. It demonstrates that the shape of the Egyptian economy under the new regime led by al-Sisi is no better than at the time of Morsi. Economic and fiscal challenges, such as the high rate of unemployment, inflation, rising inequality and poverty, continue to be unresolved, and are expected to worsen in the post-Covid-19 era.
TRT World Research Centre, 2019
Reports by Tankut Oztas
TRT World Research Centre, 2020
This report discusses the trajectory of Turkey-Libya relations and analyses the multilayered econ... more This report discusses the trajectory of Turkey-Libya relations and analyses the multilayered economic, political and security dynamics underpinning these relations over the past decades. The report also explores the complexities surrounding the current conflict in Libya, the gradual evolution of Turkey's strategic posture towards Libya, and some of the primary causes behind such a shift.
Discussion Papers by Tankut Oztas
TRT World Research Centre, 2020
This paper provides a discussion on Egypt’s political economy since the Free Officers Revolution ... more This paper provides a discussion on Egypt’s political economy since the Free Officers Revolution in 1952. It highlights the key phases of its transformation and provides an analysis on how the military regimes in Egypt monopolised power across the Egyptian economy for political gain. The paper postulates that Egypt’s current regime under al-Sisi, similar to his predecessors, implemented economic reforms characterised by what this paper refers to as ‘authoritarian liberalism’.
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Papers by Tankut Oztas
Reports by Tankut Oztas
Discussion Papers by Tankut Oztas