Karim Ashfield
Writes on Middle Eastern economy, business, and trade for Middle East Chronicle.
Olive Harvest Under Threat as West Bank Violence Mounts
UN agencies and independent human rights experts warn that escalating settler attacks and Israeli military actions are endangering Palestinian farmers during the annual olive harvest, with 160 harvest-related incidents recorded in two weeks. Demolitions, casualties, and new orders to uproot olive trees compound the threat to Palestinian livelihoods and land rights.
FAO Chief: Horticulture Must Drive the Next Transformation of Global Agrifood Systems
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu told the International Horticultural Congress in Kyoto that unlocking horticulture's full potential is essential to delivering healthy diets and resilient food systems, warning that rising production figures have so far failed to translate into better nutrition outcomes. He called for targeted investment, innovation, and stronger policies to close widening gaps in productivity, availability, and affordability.
The AI Patent Race and What It Means for the Middle East's Innovation Ambitions
A landmark WIPO report reveals an unprecedented global surge in generative AI patenting, with China and the United States leading the charge — a competitive reality that carries direct implications for Middle Eastern nations racing to build credible, innovation-driven economies. How regional governments respond to the intellectual property dimensions of the AI boom may define their standing in the next decade of global technology competition.