The Heavy Price of Lebanese Hezbollah’s Military Engagement in Syria
Hezbollah has paid a heavy price to secure the survival of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which also secures Hezbollah’s overland lifeline to Tehran.
Regional Affairs
How Iran and the Gulf Arab States Can Start a Dialogue Again
It’s hard to overstate the regional impact of the rivalry between Iran and several Gulf Arab states—most notably Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—bordering in recent years on enmity.
Iraq’s New Government: Balancing Allies and Neighbors
With the new government, Iraq could be a major arena for those seeking to roll back Iran’s influence in the region.
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
The Supply-Side Politics of Kuwait’s Industrial Strategy
Kuwait hopes to usher in a “new industrial era,” but the country will have to pay more attention to demand and regional competition to boost industrial output.
The Curious Case of China’s "Kuwaiti Concession"
The Kuwaiti emir’s visit to China generated intense debate, centered around a rumor about a deal to develop Kuwait’s northern islands, highlighting anxieties about the country’s future.
The Blue Lake Farm: Pioneering Agritourism in the Gulf
AGSIW spoke with Ali al-Awadhi, executive manager of Nabta, to learn about the Blue Lake Farm and agritourism in Kuwait.
Oman
Facing the Dual Challenge of Energy Security and Climate Change: The Oman Example
To meet the dual challenge of energy security and climate change, the Gulf Arab states need a holistic understanding of energy systems when planning an advantageous energy mix.
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.
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
How the Khashoggi Affair May Affect U.S.-Saudi Relations
The disappearance of the prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi won't completely upend U.S.-Saudi relations but will almost certainly have a significant negative impact on them.
Saudi Arabia Shelves SoftBank Solar Effort, Reflecting Challenges with Megaprojects
Saudi Arabia’s decision to delay a $200 billion solar power project with Japan’s SoftBank casts doubt on the future of the kingdom’s solar energy initiative.
Mohammed bin Salman’s Short Visit to Kuwait
Kuwait has made the strategic decision to deepen bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia, but navigating this critical relationship will be a challenge for the small emirate.
United Arab Emirates
A Conversation with H.E. Reem Al Hashimy
AGSIW hosted a conversation with Reem Al Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation of the 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.
Iran
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.
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 discussed the Trump administration's reimposition of sanctions on Iran.
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