Category Archives: Technology

Blockchain Tech Solutions in MENA

GetReceet’s founder, Omar Barkawi, imagines how blockchain solutions could advance “provenance” goals on a macro-level. Barkawi notes how tracking money and transactions would benefit from blockchain solutions, “tracking food purchase receipts informs health departments without household data identifiers”. Meanwhile, GetReceet’s funder, the Mideast-based Ibtikar Fund, notes how the money movement, financial services, and authentic property documentation remain a challenge, according to the Fund’s COO, Ambar Amleh, who highlighted the “physical stress of carrying and transferring all this cash” between Ramallah and Amman… Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, Interests, Technology, Uncategorized

Does the Sunni-Shiite Construct Really Help Explain Electoral Politics in MENA?

  How many of you feel that using the “Sunni-Shiite” construct better frames political discussions in the MENA region?  Does the Sunni-Shiite Construct Really Help Explain Electoral Politics in MENA? The irrelevance of American rhetoric in recent weeks should, but won’t, … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, Politics, Technology

Navigating MENA Markets with CAReem! #YallaCareem

When your competitor outspends you, your business model must be creative at the local level. ~ Abdulla Elyas, Co-Founder of Careem   When Saudi Arabia first announced that Saudi women could start driving in 2018, we initially thought: awesome for Saudi … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Interests, Technology

PITAPOLICY Joins Polsky Exchange Because #Startup Ecosystems Overlap

PITAPOLICY, LLC is excited to enlist as a member of the Polsky Exchange, the startup ecosystem facilitated by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park, Illinois.  Polsky is not just a co-working … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, Interests, Technology

Remember the Syrian Electronic Army

Sadly, the so-called Islamic State struck again–this time in Brussels–to claim31 lives and injuring over 270 others.  Yes, we realize that the tragic irony is the so-called Islamic State targets Muslims just as brutally–but with less media attention and solidarity … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics), Technology

Managing Socio-#Econ|omic Expectations #IranElections #ImplementationDAy

“We intend to re-open trade with all our neighbors…. and begin cooperation.”~President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani Earlier this month, 78.4 million Iranians saw the economic sanctions lifted, which were imposed in 1979 after Iran underwent a … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, Interests, Politics, Technology

Economic Impact of Iran Sanctions, or “PersiaStroika”

“Our countries (United States and Iran) can reach a detente — or ‘Persia-Stroika’ if you will” ~ Jon, Stewart of The Daily Show  [Note: “Perestroika”, or “openness”, was a term coined by Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986, to describe … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics), Politics, Technology

Nuclear Energy Debate: Before and After #Jordan #Iran

Despite the continuing airstrikes in Yemen, led by Saudi coalition forces, there are some positive regional developments.  Specifically, on April 2nd, a framework for an Iran nuclear reached successful agreement between the U.S. and Iran.  The framework is set up … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics), Politics, Technology

Middle East Institute 68th Annual Conference: “Navigating the Storm” #MiddleEast

“What’s happening in the region is renegotiation of social contracts.”~ Randa Slim, Director for Initiative for Track 2 Dialogues at Middle East Institute This bodes true for countries that are in the middle of transitioning power… and can be argued … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, Interests, PIDE (Policy, International Development & Economics), Politics, Technology

Tunisia Elections: Historic Process, or Event?

What makes Tunisia’s elections historic: its process or ‘E-day’?  The Tunisian elections witnessed some historic developments.  We are not just talking about the election event moment, but the overall process.  The election event moment was when The Nidaa Tounes Party, … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Analysis, Politics, Technology