India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

What lessons can the successes and failures of China's Belt and Road Initiative offer for the new India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor?

Saudi Arabia is in the midst of an unprecedented economic revolution, through which it seeks to position itself as a regional technological and economic power. At the same time, the entire Middle East is undergoing a process of transformation in terms of the balance of power and regional arrangements, a process involving states seeking to establish a regional order characterized by cooperation and stability, including the United States and the pragmatic Sunni states: Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

The integrated map offers a broad, clear, and accessible visual overview of the current state and plans for transportation, communication, and energy infrastructure in the Middle East. At a time when regional infrastructure is becoming a central factor in shaping economic, political, and security relations, the map enables a rapid understanding of the complex network of connections spanning across the region. By integrating multiple layers of information, users can focus on each domain separately or explore interactions among them, including land and maritime transport routes, communication lines, and digital infrastructure, as well as energy transmission networks for oil, gas, and renewable energy. The map highlights not only what currently exists in practice, but also initiatives in planning, projects under development, and future opportunities for regional cooperation. This interactive presentation allows users to identify key trends, understand how infrastructure influences the flow of goods, information, and energy, and pinpoint strategic nodes. In this way, the map serves as a decision-support tool for policymakers, researchers, professionals, and the broader public alike. Beyond presenting data, the integrated map provides a wider geographical, economic, and strategic context, helping to interpret the evolving dynamics of the Middle East, where infrastructure is not only a means of connection but also a central driver in shaping a shared regional future.

Amid a severe crisis in Israel–Jordan relations, the war against Iran broke out, and its repercussions could alter the nature of relations between Amman and Jerusalem

What are the obstacles and opportunities inherent in the ambitious initiative seeking to reshape the trade map between India, the Middle East, and Europe?