Piotr Schulkes
@pschulkes.bsky.social
Middle East Consultant, non-resident scholar Middle East Institute, Oxford University Alum. Focus usually on renewables, SWFs, and banks. Love stats
https://visualmiddleeast.substack.com/
https://visualmiddleeast.substack.com/
A front page for the ages
June 22, 2025 at 12:30 AM
A front page for the ages
You have to update your subscription button, it still mentions Biden
April 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
You have to update your subscription button, it still mentions Biden
But then uses a linguistic sleight-of-hand when answering a similar question about the ICC's arrest warrant for the Myanmar leadership, saying the ICC does not have jurisdiction over nationals of non-state parties on the territory of a non-state party
December 4, 2024 at 9:27 AM
But then uses a linguistic sleight-of-hand when answering a similar question about the ICC's arrest warrant for the Myanmar leadership, saying the ICC does not have jurisdiction over nationals of non-state parties on the territory of a non-state party
China is also not immune to massive hypocrisy. When Israeli leadership was indicted by the ICC, China says it supports efforts by the international community to defend the authority on international law.... 1/3
December 4, 2024 at 9:27 AM
China is also not immune to massive hypocrisy. When Israeli leadership was indicted by the ICC, China says it supports efforts by the international community to defend the authority on international law.... 1/3
By age group, the death rate among men aged 30-34 stands out; men in this age rage have died at almost twice the rate their proportion of the population would indicate. Comparatively high death rates for men continue for men well into their 70s.
November 28, 2024 at 4:13 PM
By age group, the death rate among men aged 30-34 stands out; men in this age rage have died at almost twice the rate their proportion of the population would indicate. Comparatively high death rates for men continue for men well into their 70s.
There were 2902 dead women in the first 19 days of the war, equating to 43% of the deaths, compared to 3844 male deaths.
November 28, 2024 at 4:11 PM
There were 2902 dead women in the first 19 days of the war, equating to 43% of the deaths, compared to 3844 male deaths.
Children, defined as those 17 or younger, make up 40% of deaths, or 2665 individuals.
November 28, 2024 at 4:10 PM
Children, defined as those 17 or younger, make up 40% of deaths, or 2665 individuals.
47% of deaths are at or below the median age (19), while 53% are above it. However, the median age in Gaza is less than half that of a Western European country, so the phrasing belies just how young many of those killed are.
November 28, 2024 at 4:10 PM
47% of deaths are at or below the median age (19), while 53% are above it. However, the median age in Gaza is less than half that of a Western European country, so the phrasing belies just how young many of those killed are.
Looking at excess deaths per age, it's slightly different. The most deadly age for men is 31, for women it's 60. For both sexes, the death rate increases rapdily for those in their 20s compared to younger people. Happy to hear theories on why that may be
November 28, 2024 at 4:07 PM
Looking at excess deaths per age, it's slightly different. The most deadly age for men is 31, for women it's 60. For both sexes, the death rate increases rapdily for those in their 20s compared to younger people. Happy to hear theories on why that may be
Will be interesting to see the national breakdown of companies that qualify for Saudi Arabia's battery energy storage projects. As far as I know the only company doing large-scale battery storage in the country atm is Sungrow, from China
November 14, 2024 at 11:24 AM
Will be interesting to see the national breakdown of companies that qualify for Saudi Arabia's battery energy storage projects. As far as I know the only company doing large-scale battery storage in the country atm is Sungrow, from China
When looking at global rankings, Turkey has the most entries among the 1500 listed universities, with 25. Saudi the second-most, with 20, of which 3 are in the top 250, the most out of any Middle Eastern state. Qatar is again efficient, with its only ranked unis in the top 250
November 13, 2024 at 7:19 PM
When looking at global rankings, Turkey has the most entries among the 1500 listed universities, with 25. Saudi the second-most, with 20, of which 3 are in the top 250, the most out of any Middle Eastern state. Qatar is again efficient, with its only ranked unis in the top 250
The encouraging story is in North Africa, Yemen, and Palestine, where the number of ranked unis has been rising. None of these countries have unis among the top 50, but the fact that several of them are war zones makes the growth in ranked universities impressive nonetheless.
November 13, 2024 at 7:19 PM
The encouraging story is in North Africa, Yemen, and Palestine, where the number of ranked unis has been rising. None of these countries have unis among the top 50, but the fact that several of them are war zones makes the growth in ranked universities impressive nonetheless.
Both Iraq and Saudi Arabia do much better than Egypt on universities per million inhabitantsm but are far behind Bahrain, which is a regional leader with 5 universities for its small population. Jordan and Lebanon also do very well on a uni per capita basis
November 13, 2024 at 7:19 PM
Both Iraq and Saudi Arabia do much better than Egypt on universities per million inhabitantsm but are far behind Bahrain, which is a regional leader with 5 universities for its small population. Jordan and Lebanon also do very well on a uni per capita basis
Ever wondered which Arab country gets the most bang for its buck, educationally? Arguably, it's Qatar. On the QS 2025 Arab ranking, Qatar has two ranked universities, both in the top 50. The UAE wins comfortably on mass though, with 14 ranked unis of which 10 are in the top 50.
November 13, 2024 at 7:18 PM
Ever wondered which Arab country gets the most bang for its buck, educationally? Arguably, it's Qatar. On the QS 2025 Arab ranking, Qatar has two ranked universities, both in the top 50. The UAE wins comfortably on mass though, with 14 ranked unis of which 10 are in the top 50.
With the exception of boys under the age of 14, men are dying at a higher rate than their percentage of the population in *every single age group*. The most notable are those aged 25-29, 30-34, and 35-39, where the rate is almost 2x higher.
September 29, 2024 at 5:09 PM
With the exception of boys under the age of 14, men are dying at a higher rate than their percentage of the population in *every single age group*. The most notable are those aged 25-29, 30-34, and 35-39, where the rate is almost 2x higher.
Men make up 51% of Gaza's population, according to the US International Census Database, but make up 64% of deaths in the Gaza Health Ministry list
September 29, 2024 at 5:09 PM
Men make up 51% of Gaza's population, according to the US International Census Database, but make up 64% of deaths in the Gaza Health Ministry list
However, because of Gaza's extraordinarily law median age, at only 19, almost two thirds of deaths are those above the median age.
September 29, 2024 at 5:08 PM
However, because of Gaza's extraordinarily law median age, at only 19, almost two thirds of deaths are those above the median age.
September 27, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Al Rass solar farm two days ago (left) and two months ago (right). Stage one (600MW), the rectangular box on the top left , will be finished Q4 this year, while stage 2 (2000MW) will be finished in Q4 in 2025.
August 27, 2024 at 7:18 AM
Al Rass solar farm two days ago (left) and two months ago (right). Stage one (600MW), the rectangular box on the top left , will be finished Q4 this year, while stage 2 (2000MW) will be finished in Q4 in 2025.
This massive discrepancy between "more people should work in factories" and "I don't want to work in factories" is probably applicable outside the US too. Combine that with a skilled worker shortage, onshoring has some seriously big obstacles to overcome.
August 19, 2024 at 9:32 AM
This massive discrepancy between "more people should work in factories" and "I don't want to work in factories" is probably applicable outside the US too. Combine that with a skilled worker shortage, onshoring has some seriously big obstacles to overcome.
Al Rass Solar Park. On the left in August '23, on the right March '24, with Al Rass 1 mostly installed. The areas that make up Al Rass 2 can be seen to the south and east of the installed section, with several substations. The main SEC substation is to Al Rass 1's north east.
April 16, 2024 at 6:48 AM
Al Rass Solar Park. On the left in August '23, on the right March '24, with Al Rass 1 mostly installed. The areas that make up Al Rass 2 can be seen to the south and east of the installed section, with several substations. The main SEC substation is to Al Rass 1's north east.
Shuaibah 1 and 2 in Saudi, before construction started (left) and March this year (right). The top rectangle is project 1, at 600MW, and 2 is the trapezoid by the road, and will be 2GW once complete #middleeast #renewable #energy
April 11, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Shuaibah 1 and 2 in Saudi, before construction started (left) and March this year (right). The top rectangle is project 1, at 600MW, and 2 is the trapezoid by the road, and will be 2GW once complete #middleeast #renewable #energy