Podcasting the Middle East: A Conversation With Kim Ghattas
On December 7, AGSIW will host a conversation with Kim Ghattas, host of the new podcast "People Like Us."
Regional Affairs
Event Report – Petro Diplomacy: Gulf Countries on the Front Line of Energy Security
The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington's eighth annual Petro Diplomacy conference examined the upheaval in the oil and gas markets following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the role of Gulf Arab oil producing states in meeting the sudden demand surge.
Intergenerational Migrants in the Gulf: An Overlooked Labor Force Resource
New laws and policies allowing longer residency and more possibilities for upward mobility for intergenerational migrants and long-term residents could help Gulf governments address key labor market and productivity challenges.
Bahrain
Turkey-Bahrain Relations Getting Back on Track, as Erdogan Set to Visit Manama
Two old regional partners forge ahead with renewed diplomatic, economic, and security ties, putting frictions related to Qatar boycott in the rearview mirror.
A Conversation With Ambassador Steven C. Bondy
On November 8, AGSIW hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with Steven C. Bondy, the U.S. ambassador to Bahrain.
The Pope Goes to Bahrain
Pope Francis’ visit to Bahrain showcases the kingdom’s decadeslong effort to champion religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue while also providing critics with a high-profile occasion to question the sincerity of these government efforts and raise human rights concerns.
Kuwait
Constructing Mars in Kuwait: Young Kuwaitis Lead Space Sector Development
Lama Al-Oraiman, a winner of this year’s Emerging Space Leaders award, pushes for more space education in Kuwait, the development of a local space strategy, and the increased participation of women in the field.
Kuwait’s Parliamentary Elections and Individualism
Kuwait’s upcoming elections bring hopes for a new beginning for the executive and legislative branches of government. But that depends on the elections' outcome and the relationship forged with new government leadership.
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.
Oman
Oman and the Power of Music as a Cultural Diplomacy Tool
The Omani hit song “Amatiyah” is promoting Omani culture and heritage to a global audience.
Oman Debuts at the 59th Venice Biennale With “Destined Imaginaries”
Oman is participating in the International Biennale of Arts in Venice with a multimedia group show highlighting the country’s conceptual art scene.
Optimism for Oman: Economic Recovery With Caveats
There is renewed buoyancy for the Omani economy as rallied oil prices are expected to ease the execution of plans, big and small. Yet, public trust in government plans still falls short.
Qatar
The Security Side of Qatar’s World Cup
Qatar is relying on a robust injection of security capabilities and training from partner countries to help it cope with the challenges and potential risks of hosting such a large international event and has worked to take advantage of this security response to drive its national security strategy.
Qatar’s World Cup Increases Gulf Cooperation Despite Recent Rift
Easing away from its embrace of controversial regional political positions, Qatar refreshes its regional and international branding with soft power tourism, sports, and labor reforms.
Qatar's World Cup and Public Art: Expanding the Field of Dialogue
As Qatar gears up to host the FIFA World Cup in November, Qatar Museums is ensuring that visitors get a taste of the country’s cultural scene through new public art installations.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's New Nationalist Foreign Policy
A more self-assertive Saudi Arabia is taking steps to amplify its role on the global stage, at times in defiance of its U.S. partner. What does this mean for global energy markets and the future of U.S.-Saudi relations?
Neom’s Ambition Goes Into Hyperdrive
The development strategy behind Neom is coming into focus: Planners want the megaproject to reflect something greater than the sum of its parts while trying to tether lofty ambitions to reality with major global event commitments.
Why the U.S.-Saudi Crisis is So Bad and So Unnecessary
Lack of trust has left Washington and Riyadh misreading each other's intentions to the point of creating a crisis where none should have ever existed.
United Arab Emirates
A New Chapter for UAE Defense Procurement?
Strategic autonomy and technology transfers take center stage in a shifting UAE procurement policy.
Sandstorm Comics: Building a Local Comic Book Industry
Entrepreneur and creative Mo Abedin launched Sandstorm Comics as a dedicated comic book production studio, educational space, and community site to fill a gap in the UAE’s creative industry.
UAE Security Forum 2022: Expanding Regional Partnerships for Security and Prosperity
AGSIW convened the 2022 UAE Security Forum on November 17, where U.S., UAE, and regional partners gathered to find creative solutions to some of the region’s most pressing challenges.
Iran
With Iran’s Drones, Russia Looks to Extend War and Costs to Ukraine – and the West
While the strategic value of Iran’s drones seems limited thus far, Moscow seems to view them as an inexpensive – and punitive – way to maintain leverage in the conflict.
The Military Dimension of Iran Protests
Recent Iranian military developments are a signal of the regime’s growing perception of vulnerability amid domestic unrest; its suppression strategy benefits from a military operation outside Iran’s borders that it can use to overstate separatist threats.
Iran Protests: Reform, Revolution, or Status Quo?
The demands of the protesters for regime change are a clear manifestation of the deep frustration and the loss of hope for reform among the Iranian public and seem to signal that the time is ripe for comprehensive change.
Iraq
With Iraq’s Quota System, the New Government is More of the Same
The inefficiencies and corruption rife in Iraq’s ethno-sectarian quota system are substantial, but the country’s highly fragmented society has deeply entrenched the system in ways that make it difficult to reform.
New Government or Not, the Iraqi State is Still Struggling to Function
Bargaining over the resources of the government is set to remain just one expression of the struggle for authority in Iraq. Actual sovereignty is likely to continue to be a coercive negotiation backed by various substate militias’ force of arms and financial interests.
With a President in Place, Can Iraq Finally Form a Government?
Iraq finally has a president, and the political parties understand that at this juncture, they don’t have the luxury of time for negotiations over government formation.
Yemen
Why Yemen’s Truce Collapsed
At the moment, the Houthis believe they have more to gain from war than peace.
Shabwa and Cracks in the Foundation of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council
Recent fighting in Shabwa highlights lack of unity of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, threatening its ability to present a common front against the Houthis.
An Oil-Spill Disaster is Looming in Yemen, and the World Can’t Afford to Wait
The FSO Safer is a ticking time bomb. The U.N. has a plan to address the issue of the decaying oil tanker, but it must be resolved now before it becomes an environmental tragedy.
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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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