This piece is part of a series about Shia foreign fighters in Syria and their potential impact on regional security dynamics.
The rapid advances of the Syrian army in Deraa province in recent weeks, coupled with unclear prospects for U.S. military support to the opposition, appear to have sealed the fate of the rebel factions in southwest Syria. The opposition, however, continues to impose heavy losses on the Syrian government forces and their allies: According to the London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the regime forces and their allies suffered 117 fatalities between June 30 and July 1. This would be a considerable loss, had the Syrian army shouldered it alone. However, thanks to the Assad regime’s burden sharing arrangement with foreign Shia fighters, such losses are tolerable.
Kuwait has had local traditional coffee shops, or maqhas, since its early years, starting with those in its local market, or souq. However, similar to Kuwait’s famous gathering halls, or diwaniyahs, these places were usually restricted to men. Over the last two years, Kuwait has experienced a boom in local coffeeshops, which are breaking barriers within its society and additionally giving back to the country. This new wave of local coffeeshops has increased networking and socializing among youth immensely due to their open space, board games, and organization of social events. They also provide support for other local businesses and new ideas.
On July 18, AGSIW hosted a conversation with H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation of the United Arab Emirates. The roundtable discussion focused on the UAE’s role in the conflict in Yemen, both in terms of ongoing efforts to liberate the crucial port city of Hodeidah from rebel control as well as provision of humanitarian relief to the Yemeni people. In addition, Al Hashimy provided the UAE’s perspective on the historic reconciliation just reached between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and discussed the UAE’s role in bringing it about.
Since the 1930s, the Arab Gulf states have been defined by their hydrocarbon wealth, which flows from the nearly one-third of proven world crude oil reserves and about one-fifth of world natural gas reserves in their region. Oil and gas export revenues have played a crucial role in shaping the Arab Gulf states’ political economies, which have strongly revolved around centralized government control. The central government generates the hydrocarbon wealth and the remainder of society is engaged in the distribution and utilization of the wealth created.
The National featured AGSIW's roundtable with H.E. Reem Al Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, discussing her comments on Yemen, particularly the port city of Hodeidah. Speaking with Newsweek, Executive Vice President Stephen A. Seche discussed U.S. foreign policy toward the Yemen conflict.
For Bloomberg, Senior Resident Scholar Karen E. Young commented on the state's role in the Saudi economy. Speaking with The Wall Street Journal, Young discussed the potential for increased foreign investment in Saudi Arabia.
Senior Resident Scholar Karen E. Young spoke on the panel "After the Withdrawal from the JCPOA: Strategies for the Trump Administration" at the Middle East Policy Council's Hill Forum. Young additionally delivered the lecture "Challenges of State-Business Relations in Saudi Arabia to Achieve Vision 2030" to a civilian leadership seminar for the U.S. Air Force at the Capitol Hill Club.
Position Title:Program and Digital Media Intern Period: August – December 2018 Location: Washington, DC Deadline Extended: July 31
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 moreVisiting Scholar
Position Title:Visiting Scholar Period: Spring 2019 Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: Visiting scholars are individuals who possess a PhD or equivalent professional experience. 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. AGSIW will provide a stipend that can be used to cover living expenses, travel costs, or incidental research expenses. Read more
