As the Iran war enters its third week, the Doha market is showing signs of recovery, with vendors and shoppers returning to the historic Souq Waqif market. Despite ongoing regional strikes, the market is filling up again, with locals adapting to the new norm. The BBC's International News correspondent, Barbara Plett Usher, visited the market to gauge the mood and assess the impact of the conflict on local businesses.
The Doha market, a hub of commercial activity in the region, was initially affected by the outbreak of war, with many vendors and shoppers staying away due to safety concerns. However, as the conflict enters its third week, the market is slowly returning to normal, with many stalls reopening and customers trickling back in. The BBC's Barbara Plett Usher visited the Souq Waqif market to speak to vendors and shoppers, and gauge the mood in the region.
Regional Implications
The war in Iran has significant implications for the region, with many countries, including the UK, being impacted by the conflict. The killing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent anti-abortion activist, has galvanised a transatlantic campaign against abortion, with many US groups driving a new generation of anti-abortion activism in the UK. However, it remains to be seen whether this campaign will succeed in shifting Britain's pro-choice consensus.
Global Economic Fallout
The war in Iran is also having a significant impact on the global economy, with many countries feeling the effects of the conflict. Ukraine, which is already battling to secure crucial funding from the IMF and EU, is facing an urgent fight on the financial frontline. The country is putting up taxes and seeking to secure funding to support its war-torn economy. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused EU allies of 'blackmail' in an oil pipeline row, saying that restoring the flow of Russian oil via Ukraine into the EU would be like lifting sanctions on Russia.
As the Iran war continues to unfold, the Doha market's resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the region's ability to adapt to challenging circumstances. However, the conflict's regional and global implications are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming weeks and months. One thing is certain, however, that the people of the region will continue to find ways to cope with the new norm, and to rebuild and recover in the face of adversity.