Iran’s Support of Iraqi Shia Militias Ensures Dependency and Loyalty
CENTCOM’s release of interrogation reports of Qais al-Khazali and a survey of combat fatalities shed new light on Iran’s relationship with Shia militias in Iraq.
Regional Affairs
Subsidizing Basic Commodities in the Gulf Arab States: Distortive and Regressive
This paper uses economic theory to demonstrate the negative implications of subsidies.
Fractured Iraqi Shia Militias in Syria
In the midst of the civil war in Iraq, and as ISIL was threatening the central government in Baghdad, why were Iraqi Shias prioritizing Syria instead of defending Baghdad?
Bahrain
Bahrain Sees Windfall in Offshore Oil Strike, but Choppy Waters Lie Ahead
Bahrain made its largest-ever oil find off the kingdom’s western coast, with Khalij al-Bahrain Basin estimated to contain at least 80 billion barrels of tight oil and 10-20 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas, officials announced on April 1.
Bahrain Moving toward Implementation of U.N. SDGs
Bahrain recently hosted the sixth meeting of the interagency and expert group on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), gathering international experts from dozens of countries and U.N.
Ulafa’a: Reconciliation through the Arts in Bahrain
Ulafa’a is a Bahraini art collective that flourished in response to the 2011 Bahraini uprising.
Kuwait
Kuwait’s Community Coffeeshop Wave
Kuwait has had local traditional coffee shops, or maqhas, since its early years, starting with those in its local market, or souq.
Creative Coworking in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
When it comes to workspace trends, coworking has quickly risen to the top over the last two years.
Kuwait: Finding Balance in a Maximalist Gulf
Amid the dramatic changes sweeping the Gulf region, Kuwait’s incremental approach is being sorely tested.
Oman
Integrating Climate Change Policies with Economic Diversification Strategies: Challenges and Opportunities in Oman and the UAE
Since the 1930s, the Arab Gulf states have been defined by their hydrocarbon wealth.
Oman’s Investment and Reform Strategy: “Slow and Go”
It is a difficult time in the Gulf to leverage public resources to meet growing demand for jobs, for infrastructure development, and for efforts to build economies less reliant on oil revenue.
Dar Al Aseel: Abaya Design for the Gulf Power Woman
One of Oman’s most acclaimed fashion designers, Amal Al Raisi, stumbled upon design after shopping for a wedding dress.
Qatar
Qatar, Turkey, and the Politics and Perils of Reciprocity
With Turkey’s economic woes, Qatar has leapt to its aid, but sitting uncomfortably between two critical allies, Ankara and Washington, Doha must tread carefully.
U.S. and Gulf States Call Truce on Open Skies Airline Dispute
Recent aviation agreements between the United States and the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have ended a bitter dispute over alleged anti-competitive practices.
Trade Wars and Bond-Offs: Side Effects of Tariffs and Tactical Borrowing Hit the Gulf
There are simultaneous efforts by Qatar and Saudi Arabia to attract investors for new bond issues this week. The “bond-off,” or race to sale, is yet a new example of the use of economic means to achieve political ends.
Saudi Arabia
Understanding Youth and Women’s Employment in Saudi Arabia
Alessandra L. González shared insights from her research on Saudi women’s employment in the kingdom.
Neom Update: Funding the World’s Most Ambitious Project
Nearly a year after Neom's announcement, the futuristic Saudi megacity is still only in the early stages of development. To meet goals of opening fully by 2025, planners must overcome a key challenge: shoring up funding.
Muhannad Shono: Creating His Own Saudi Narrative
When Muhannad Shono began his career Saudi's creative economy was not a domain to be celebrated in the kingdom.
United Arab Emirates
Ethiopia-Eritrea Reconciliation Offers Glimpse into Growing UAE Regional Influence
On July 9, the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a historic peace accord and a set of trade and security agreements ending a long-running conflict that has been a key regional fault line destabilizing the Horn of Africa.
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi Draw Closer to Moscow
While on a “working visit” to Moscow, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan met June 1 with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two leaders signed a Declaration of Strategic Partnership between Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
No Cricket, No Play: Regulating Public Space in Gulf Cities
Richard Sennett, renowned sociologist and urbanist, in his 1970 classic “The Uses of Disorder” called for an embrace of disorder, noting that it has a positive value and needs to be increased in city life.
Iran
Nepotism, Corruption, and Fraud: Business as Usual among Iran’s Political Elite
As economic conditions in Iran worsen, Iranians are shifting some of the blame from the West to domestic causes, including corruption and economic mismanagement.
Back to Sanctions: How Will Iran Balance Regional Ambitions and Domestic Stability?
On September 26, Ali Alfoneh, Bessma Momani, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, and moderator Hussein Ibish will discuss the Trump administration's reimposition of sanctions on Iran.
Iran Sanctions Add Uncertainty to Shaky Oil Market
The U.S. decision to abandon the nuclear deal with Iran is bad news for crude oil importers, good news for exporters, and complicated news for those with more entwined relations with Tehran.
Yemen
Yemen’s War: No Longer Forgotten, but Still Unresolved
There are signs Yemen's war is no longer "forgotten," but is it any closer to coming to an end?
Prospects of New Yemen Talks
Ambassador Stephen A. Seche and Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, discuss the prospects of the upcoming Yemen talks in Geneva.
Amaani Yahya: Reaching out through Rap
Amaani Yahya might not be the first Yemeni woman to rap, but she is one of the first to use the artform to try to reach people outside Yemen.
Support Us
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.
Learn More