“The dollar’s power, like any currency’s power, is tied to its ability to hold value and people’s interests in actually holding it,” says Dr. Ian Oxnevad, Director of Geopolitical Risk Intelligence for Infortal Worldwide and Tom Fox’s guest on this Riskology Special Series. Ian and Tom discuss the current geopolitics of trade within the Middle East, the Abraham Accords, and how these things may affect businesses within the US looking to expand. 

Dr. Ian Oxnevad is the Director of Geopolitical Risk Intelligence for Infortal Worldwide, with a political science and national security studies background. He is also the host of The Riskology Podcast. 

You’ll hear Ian and Tom discuss:

• The changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East since 2020, and the impact of the Abraham Accords on opportunities in the high-tech and water technology sectors. 
• The dominance of the US dollar as a go-to currency within the Middle East. 
• Ian talks about the implications and advantages of Saudi Arabia and Middle Eastern crude oil being tied to the US dollar.
• While the US dollar being the benchmark currency for crude is good for the US, it has the potential to create currency crisis risks and monetary instability. 
• The possible trade sanctions and risks for countries doing business within Saudi Arabia and its environs.
• Tom and Ian stress the importance of conducting good due diligence and geopolitical risk intelligence in order to combat these risks. Consider entering markets with favorable exchange rates, and holding and transacting in other currencies based on your industry. 

Resources

Infortal Worldwide | Email | Tel: 1.800.736.4999 | Podcast