A simmering conflict between separatists in Southern Yemen and Aden-based elements of Yemen’s exiled government spilled out into the open in late January. This produced a torrent of commentary by Yemen analysts warning that the events point to a deepening fissure between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the two principal members of the military coalition seeking to restore the government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
The new year has brought new efforts to favor Gulf citizens in labor markets: from raising expat requirements (UAE), to halting the recruitment of degree-holding expats under 30 (Kuwait), to imposing restrictions on sectors to only employ nationals (temporarily in Oman, more permanently in Saudi Arabia). Stimulus efforts, rather than fiscal cuts, are emerging: Bahrain has delayed lifting gas subsidies; beyond Citizen’s Accounts, Saudi Arabia is providing stipends to public sector employees to offset increases in living costs. The extensive debt financing of 2017 continues: Oman seeks a $2 billion loan, Saudi Arabia sent out an RFP to refinance a $10 billion 2016 loan, and Kuwait is considering a new dollar-denominated bond sale.
Social commerce is a new phenomenon. In “The Social Commerce System,” it is defined as “the expansion of e-commerce in the social networks on the Internet, in which social factors are significant, and consumers use the right to create content through the media via forums, ratings, reviews, and recommendations on different platforms.” At its core, Boutiqaat is similar to other e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Alibaba, and Souq. However, Boutiqaat incorporates a distinguishing social element: It features Gulf and Arab social media influencers. Read more
يشكو الرئيس دونالد ترامب أن ما ورثه من سلفه الرئيس باراك أوباما في الشرق الأوسط، هو حربا لم تُحسم ضد تنظيم "الدولة الإسلامية" في سوريا والعراق، ومنطقة تعصف فيها الاضطرابات السياسية، واتفاق نووي مع إيران يصفه "بالمروِّع"، تم التوصل إليه في الوقت الذي كانت فيه إيران تعزز من نفوذها العسكري والسياسي في العراق وسوريا ولبنان، إضافة إلى اليمن، حيث أصبح لها للمرة الأولى نفوذا ملحوظا بسبب دعمها العسكري للحوثيين في حرب استنزاف طويلة ومأساوية جلبت الجوع والأمراض إلى ملايين اليمنيين
There is never a dull moment in the politics and international relations of the Arab Gulf monarchies. Among states that half a century ago had yet to connect their major towns with paved roads, electricity, and water, one state now has a space program aiming for Mars (the United Arab Emirates) and another is the richest state on earth (Qatar, as measured in gross domestic product per capita). Once a backwater of global affairs, the Gulf region is now squarely at its center. Read more
In the Media
Speaking with The National, Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba, AGSIW president, commented on the UAE's announcement of a $50 million donation to the Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute at Johns Hopkins University hospitals in Baltimore and Abu Dhabi.
Speaking with Al-Monitor, Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish discussed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington, DC planned for March.
Outreach
Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba spoke at the European Council on Foreign Relations Middle East and North Africa Forum 2018, "The Geopolitics of Stabilisation," where her remarks focused on regional leadership and opportunities to build consensus and the trajectory of regional partnerships.
Senior Resident Scholar Karen E. Young participated in the conference “Building Pluralistic and Inclusive States Post-Arab Spring” sponsored by the American University of Beirut, Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy and Center for the Middle East, and Carnegie Corporation of New York. Young presented on the “Political Imperative of Economic Reform in the Gulf,” as part of a working group on economic inclusion in the GCC states.
Department/Team: Publications and Digital Media Hours: Part Time (20+ hours/week, no benefits) Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: This position is responsible for supporting the Publications and Digital Media team by contributing to the development and production of engaging, innovative, and high-quality audio, video, and graphic content. Read moreProgram and Outreach Assistant
Department/Team: Programs and Outreach Hours: Full Time Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: The incumbent reports to the Senior Director for Programs and Outreach (SDPO) and is responsible for the successful coordination and implementation of AGSIW programs and events. S(he) works with the SDPO to develop AGSIW’s annual program plan and manages day-to-day program activities. Read moreVisiting Scholars
Department/Team: Senior Resident Scholars Period: Fall 2018 Location: Washington, DC
About the Candidate: Visiting scholars are individuals who possess a PhD or equivalent professional experience, and whose primary purpose for residence at AGSIW is to conduct independent research. The length of stay for a visiting scholar is typically a semester or academic year. AGSIW is actively seeking candidates with significant regional experience and fluency in written and spoken Arabic. Read moreInternships
Position Title:Program and Digital Media Intern Period: May-August 2018 Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: The Internship Program at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington provides talented students and recent graduates with a three-month (or longer) training opportunity designed to encourage professional and personal development. We encourage out-of-the-box thinking and value fresh perspectives. Interns will receive a monthly stipend. Read more
Friends with Benefits
