ZAHRA LADHA

Geopolitical Analyst

Specialising in Iran, Iraq and the Gulf with a focus on political risk, security and regional economic relations

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• Services
• Selected publications
• Selected Media
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© 2026 Zahra Ladha

Profile

Zahra Ladha is a geopolitical analyst specialising in Iran, Iraq and the Gulf, working across political risk, security and regional economic relations. Her work combines on the ground regional expertise, Arabic and Persian language capability, and an extensive source network to analyse political and economic change across the Middle East.She advises government and private sector clients on geopolitical developments and their strategic implications, and has held senior analytical and strategic foresight roles focused on the region.Her analysis has been published by Middle East Eye, The New Arab, Amwaj.media, and international think tanks, alongside regular television commentary on Iran, Iraq and Gulf affairs.Zahra holds an MSc in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Oxford. She has lived in Iran, Jordan and the UAE and travels regularly to Iraq.

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Advisory

POLITICAL RISK AND STRATEGIC FORESIGHT
Analysis of political, security and regional geopolitical developments including forward-looking assessments and scenario analysisCOUNTRY AND MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Country-focused political, security, regulatory and stakeholder analysis drawing on regional source networks to support decision makingIRAQ ADVISORY
Bespoke geopolitical risk and security analysis for organisations operating in or entering Iraq

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Selected Publications

• Will the Iran-US MoU reshape economic relations in the Gulf?
• A battle within: how factional rivalry could shape Iran's future
• With US troops departing, Baghdad looks beyond balancing Washington and Tehran
• The Iran-US deal is under pressure. What could happen next?
• US-Saudi strikes test Iraq's balancing act between Riyadh and Tehran
• Can Iraq sustain rising boom in foreign investment

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