Bader Al-Saif

Non-Resident Fellow, AGSIW; Assistant Professor of History, Kuwait University

Bader Mousa Al-Saif is a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. He is an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University and a consultant. Al-Saif focuses on the modern history and contemporary affairs of the Middle East, namely public policy, political and intellectual history, Islamic thought, reform dynamics, transnational trends, and gender studies. Al-Saif is the recipient of various awards, co-founder of several NGOs, and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He has previously held senior roles in the private and public sectors in Kuwait, including deputy chief of staff to a former prime minister and senior vice president, oil and gas sector, Agility.

Al-Saif holds a PhD with distinction from Georgetown University, a Master of Education and a Master of Theology, both with honors from Harvard University, and a Master of Law with honors from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He graduated summa cum laude from Boston College with a double major in political science and history.

How Is the Israel-Hamas Conflict Affecting Gulf Arab States and Their Strategic Calculations?

On November 7, AGSIW hosted a discussion on Gulf responses to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Will Kuwait’s Upcoming Elections Help Resolve Its Political Gridlock?

On May 31, AGSIW hosted a discussion on Kuwait's upcoming parliamentary elections.

Making Sense of Kuwait's Parliamentary Election Results: Change or Continued Gridlock?

On October 6, AGSIW hosted a discussion examining the results of Kuwait's recent parliamentary elections.

Kuwait After Emir Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah

On October 7, AGSIW hosted a virtual panel discussion on the future of Kuwait's leadership.

Blog Post content-type in which the post is published

Nawaf al-Ahmed: A Legacy of Firsts

Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Sabah’s six-decade career was colored by a conciliatory approach, which was evident in his final post as Kuwait’s emir through deploying an unprecedented political reset and administrative overhaul.

Blog Post content-type in which the post is published

Kuwait’s New Doctrine

Kuwait’s “new doctrine” has the potential to usher in a new era. It can either lead to radical change for the better, further decay, or entrenchment of the deadlocked status quo.

Blog Post content-type in which the post is published

Old Playbook for New Kuwaiti Government Signals Further Stasis

An addictive recourse to the same political class and governance scheme suggests Kuwait’s new government, like its predecessors, will prove unable to effectively confront the country’s many challenges.