AGSIW is pleased to support the screening of “On Borrowed Time” at Filmfest DC. DATES Tuesday April 24 at 6:00 pm
Thursday April 26 at 8:30 pm Purchase tickets
Saudi Arabia has recently announced decisions allowing women to apply for jobs in air traffic control, the traffic police, and the military, and to positions as investigators at the public prosecutor’s office. These decisions are made in line with Saudi Vision 2030, to increase women’s participation in the workforce from 22 to 30 percent. Such changes will transform Saudi society, where employment is dominated by men and guardianship laws are still prevalent.
During the March 25 Kuwait Investment Forum, Kuwaiti government officials reaffirmed the country’s commitment to develop the Silk City (Madinat al-Harir) megaproject and establish an integrated economic zone on five uninhabited Kuwaiti islands. These initiatives have the potential to stoke tensions with neighboring Saudi Arabia, where the government under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has wagered substantial political capital on overlapping development initiatives and an aggressive foreign policy stance toward Iran.
Grand reform plans underway in the Gulf region, typified by Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program and Vision 2030, give an impression of fast movement. Important changes are undeniably underway. But, with the success so far of the OPEC pact to lift oil prices, there is a danger that systemic reform grinds to a halt as the sense of urgency for uncomfortable changes ebbs. This applies in particular to the all-important energy sector.
Run by a young, second-generation farmer, Kenaneya Farm is located in Abdali, in northern Kuwait. Ali BouKhamseen’s passion for international cuisine and fine local ingredients led him to start farming, on top of maintaining a job in the energy sector. He recalls his early introduction to international flavors and specialty crops as he accompanied his father, a hotel franchise manager, to work, “I was an eight year old, playing in the kitchen of a hotel, eating the food made there, and getting familiar with all different cuisines early on.” Later, his father purchased a farm, and Ali’s early experience is reflected in his current management of the Kenaneya Farm.
عاما، في التاسع من نيسان/ أبريل سقطت بغداد بيد القوات الأمريكية بعد حرب قصيرة كان انتصار القوات الأمريكية والحليفة فيها مؤكدا. لحظات الاحتفال بالنصر كانت وجيزة، سجلتها صور إسقاط وتحطيم تماثيل صدام حسين، واقتحام قصوره، قبل أن تبدأ أعمال النهب والفوضى العارمة التي اجتاحت العاصمة العراقية والتي اخفقت القوات الغازية في توقعها أو السيطرة السريعة عليها. منذ تلك الأيام الحاسمة، بدأت الولايات المتحدة تخسر تدريجيا معركة السلام في العراق. خسائر أمريكا البشرية بلغت 4,487 قتيلا، وأكثر من 32,000 جريح، أكثر من نصفهم اصيبوا بجراح بالغة، وبعضهم بإعاقات مستديمة، الأمر الذي يتطلب عناية جسدية أو نفسية طويلة الأمد. وبما أن أكثرية الجرحى هم دون سن الثلاثين، فإن العناية بهم سوف تستمر لعقود ما يعني أن قيمة هذه العناية سوف تكون بالمليارات، ومن هنا تسمية هذه العناية "الثمن الخفي للحرب". ولا أحد يعلم بدقة عدد القتلى المدنيين في العراق منذ 2003، وإن يعتقد أن أدنى تقدير لهذه الخسائر هو 165,000 مدني. أما التكلفة المالية للحرب فهي تزيد عن تريليوني دولار، لا يزال المواطن الأمريكي يعيش في ظلها. هل تبرر هذه الخسائر البشرية والمالية الحرب وما تلاها؟ هذا سؤال سوف يكون من الأسهل على المؤرخين في المستقبل الإجابة عليه بدقة أكثر
In addition to original content, AGSIW.org in Arabic is regularly updated with new Arabic translations of AGSIW's analysis. Recent translations include:
AGSIW hosted a conversation with Lana Nusseibeh, ambassador and permanent representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations. As part of the AGSIW Ambassador Forum, this conversation centered on the United Nations’ agenda in the Middle East, and the UAE’s efforts to strengthen the U.N.’s capacity to deliver on its priority mandates.
The killing of at least 22 Palestinian demonstrators by Israeli troops at the March of Return demonstration at the Gaza border with Israel was the first good news Hamas has had in more than a year. Hamas has decided to champion a set of demonstrations — of which this was the first — that use mass public resistance, largely if not entirely unarmed, to challenge Israel’s occupation. Every Friday will see additional protests, and already eight more Palestinians have reportedly been killed this Friday. It culminates on May 14-15, which includes the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding, the Palestinian Nakba Day commemoration, and the scheduled opening of a U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
For the Daily Sabah, Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish discussed the nature of the Gulf Arab states’ involvement in the Syrian conflict. Additionally, Ibish commented on Israel’s relationship with the Arab world for USA Today.
Outreach
Hosted by the Alworth Institute for International Studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Executive Vice President Stephen A. Seche presented two lectures focusing on developments in the Middle East broadly, and the ongoing war in Yemen.
Department/Team: Senior Resident Scholars Period: Part Time (20-25 hours/week, no benefits) Location: Washington, DC Deadline: Monday April 16
About the Candidate: Provide research assistance and support to senior resident scholars at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. At the direction of the scholars, conduct research on Gulf politics, foreign policy, and U.S. policy toward the region. Monitor contemporary developments in the Gulf states and U.S. policy, including reviews of regional and international media. Source data, compile bibliographies, and write summaries on relevant topics. Create charts and graphics for AGSIW publications. Provide communications and logistical support to senior resident scholars, and perform additional tasks as requested.
