Toward a Strategic Partnership? Takeaways From the First EU-GCC Summit
On November 27, AGSIW will host a discussion with Luigi Di Maio, EU special representative for the Gulf region.
Regional Affairs
First EU-GCC Summit Charts Course for Strategic Partnership
The acknowledgment of the growing interdependency between the EU and GCC and the rising diplomatic role of the Gulf Arab countries in global affairs have prompted Brussels to step up political engagement with the GCC.
Sanctions on Syria: Iran's Economic Gains and the Gulf-U.S. Divide
On Syria, the United States risks becoming increasingly out of step with its key allies, who have moved toward diplomatic engagement.
Bahrain
“Gentle Porosities:” Mashael Alsaie’s First Solo Show Urges a Tenderness Toward the Land
In Hunna Art’s new space, Bahraini multimedia artist Mashael Alsaie takes visitors on a journey through a metaphorical whirlpool, hoping to inspire a gentleness toward the environment.
A Conversation With H.E. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
On October 1, AGSIW hosted a private roundtable with H.E. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the undersecretary for political affairs of Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Khosh Fkra Reshapes Bahrain's Media
Khosh Fkra has grown from a podcast interviewing local business owners to a thriving media agency creating content from Bahrain to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait
Kuwait’s Big New Offshore Oil Find
Can the offshore Al-Nokhatha discovery help Kuwait’s oil and gas investments sail ahead?
With New Crown Prince Kuwait Bucks Gulf Succession Trends
The emir’s naming of Sabah al-Khaled al-Sabah – a noncontroversial politician and an experienced diplomat – as crown prince may help traverse Kuwait’s fissures, but there is still a long road ahead.
Virtual Roundtable on Kuwait
On May 22, AGSIW hosted a roundtable on developments in Kuwait.
Oman
Hand Into the Past: Omani Artist Kawthar Al Harthi’s Contemplative Creative Practice
Collagist and installation artist Kawthar Al Harthi uses mixed media to excavate material histories and personal memories.
Oman Cultural Complex Highlights Shift in Arab Cultural Production
Through the Oman Cultural Complex, Oman joins its neighbors in a collective Gulf vision of the future while maintaining its lauded commitment to Omani cultural heritage.
Oman Capitalizes on Domestic, Regional Economic Momentum
Following progress addressing economic vulnerabilities, Oman is poised to enter a new phase of economic policymaking, armed with new policy tools and development initiatives.
Qatar
No Low-Hanging Fruit to Help Qatar With Its Food Security Challenges
Qatar is working to boost local food production while coping with daunting obstacles, including falling aquifer levels, a paucity of arable land, and broader climate-change issues.
Leaving a Legacy: How Qatar Is Leveraging the Success of the 2022 World Cup to Build a More Diversified Economy
On March 14, AGSIW hosted a discussion on economic diversification in Qatar.
Becoming “Neutral”: Addressing the Increasing Stakes of Qatar’s Hamas Mediation
To adapt to the post-October 7 environment, Qatar may need to abandon some long-standing policies and reemerge as a truly neutral broker and mediator.
Saudi Arabia
For Saudi Arabia, There’s a Dealmaking Opportunity With Trump
Trump’s unrealized quest to craft a major international agreement presents significant potential opportunities for Riyadh.
Aramco’s Latest Financial Results Suggest That Its Dividend Policy Is Unsustainable
Aramco is unlikely to be able to sustain its current dividend payout absent a strong rebound in oil revenue. A reduced dividend would have negative implications for the finances of the government and Public Investment Fund.
The U.S. Election and the Saudi Economy
The outcome of the U.S. presidential election is unlikely to have a major impact on the Saudi economy in 2025, but policy differences between the two candidates could have longer-term implications for the kingdom.
United Arab Emirates
UAE-India Green Deals Present Multilateral Opportunities
Recent agreements between the UAE and India are not only significant steps toward strengthening the bilateral partnership but also reducing the countries’ carbon footprint in the energy sector.
The UAE’s Network-Based Vision for Economic Integration
The United Arab Emirates’ global trade and investment policy is providing an alternative vision to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Trees of the Gulf: The Date Palm and the UAE’s Liwa Dates Festival
Gulf date festivals celebrate heritage and tell the story of tourism, trends, and entrepreneurship.
Iran
Iran Meets Elon
While any U.S.-Iran rapprochement could potentially ease sanctions on Iran, such a shift is poised to generate sharply divergent responses among U.S. allies.
Uncertain: Iran Policies of U.S. Presidential Candidates
Regardless of who prevails in November's presidential election, the next U.S. administration may contend with either a nuclear-armed or fragmented Iran.
Iran Might Reevaluate its Strategy
The relative failure of Iranian missile strikes has significantly eroded the value of Tehran’s enormous investment in its missile and drone technology and raised serious questions among Iran’s regional allies about the ability of Tehran to come to their defense.
Iraq
China's Rise in Iraq's Energy Sector: From Newcomer to Dominant Player
While Iraqi leaders consistently emphasize the importance of Western investment in their energy sector, their actions instead are increasing Iraq’s dependence on Chinese markets and oil firms.
The Kurdish View on the U.S. Election
Iraq’s Kurdish population may benefit more from a consistent U.S. foreign policy under Harris than the unpredictability of another Trump term.
Chinese Firms Snag Iraqi Oil and Gas Blocks
Chinese investors are less risk averse than their Western counterparts, hence their strong showing in the latest upstream opportunities offered by Baghdad.
Yemen
Day One Problems: Yemen
No matter who wins the presidency in November, the United States will need a strategy that allows it to protect free and open trade in the Red Sea without becoming bogged down in an open-ended conflict in Yemen.
A Conversation With H.E. Mohammed A. Al-Hadhrami and Timothy A. Lenderking
On September 18, AGSIW hosted a discussion on Yemen.
The Houthis’ Achilles Heel
In the short term, increasing economic pressure on the Houthis is likely to prompt them to reignite attacks on Saudi Arabia, while in the long term it could make reuniting Yemen into a single state all but impossible.
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Through its careful examination of the forces shaping the evolution of Gulf societies and the new generation of emerging leaders, AGSIW facilitates a richer understanding of the role the countries in this key geostrategic region can be expected to play in the 21st century.
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