Book fairs are generally occasions to promote new titles and track literary and cultural trends. However, in Saudi Arabia, a book fair is a unique occasion to get a sense of the current political air. This year, the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen dominated the fair, alongside hints of a social opening. Together they deliver a political memorandum from the state’s new leadership. Read more
Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah recently railed against the influence of Gulf money and political support in Lebanon. In February, Saudi Arabia announced it was cutting support to Lebanon’s military and security services. While Hizballah may welcome the absence of Gulf support, the cancellation of Saudi aid for arms purchase and the imposition of travel restrictions for Gulf nationals will punish many people facing a concerted Gulf Cooperation Council economic statecraft. The GCC objective is to punish Lebanon for adopting Hizballah's foreign policy as its own. The GCC states have collectively imposed an informal set of economic sanctions on Lebanon. How will this GCC economic statecraft reverberate in the wider region and reflect back inside the Gulf? Read more
Within a region growing increasingly dangerous by the year, Oman stands out as a state that has successfully preserved its sovereignty and protected its domestic stability by actively maintaining a neutral position in an increasingly polarised regional contest.
While the premise of the book, by Linda Pappas Funsch, focuses on Oman’s transformation from an impoverished country into a modern state, Oman Reborn is also a personal account of how the author fell in love with the country during her first visit in 1974, and how she continued to follow its developments with “great interest” before returning in 2006, some 32-years later. Read more
On March 23, AGSIW hosted a discussion with the editor of Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy: Conflict and Cooperation, Neil Partrick, and a contributor to the book, Mark N. Katz, who focused on Russian relations with Saudi Arabia. They were joined by Fahad Nazer, who discussed the work and took a more in-depth look at Saudi Arabian foreign policy strategies. The panel, moderated by AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish, additionally covered topics including the role of Iran in the region and the wars in Syria and Yemen. The event was covered in Al-Hayat Arabic. Read more
In efforts to promote interaction between Arab Gulf officials, opinion leaders, and the Washington policy community, AGSIW is excited to announce the launch of our Arabic language website. The Arabic website complements the English website, but will broaden outreach and engagement with an Arabic speaking audience, specifically in the Gulf states. Our blogs and publications will also feature original Arabic content by authors from the region.
AGSIW announces the launch of Millennial Gulf, a bimonthly series reporting on youth-led initiatives in the realms of culture, politics, technology, and entrepreneurship in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The series profiles the efforts of individuals and organizations engaged in innovation and the promotion of social change, and highlights creative expressions in literature, art, and social media. The goal of Millennial Gulf is to elevate the voices of youth in the GCC and to deepen understanding of their concerns and aspirations.
In the Media
AGSIW Non-Resident Fellow Fahad Nazer spoke with Voice of America for an article on deteriorating Saudi-Iranian relations. Nazer noted, "The Saudis view Iran not just as the main threat to their own security, but they also see it as the primary cause of the tumult that has gripped the region over the past few years."
Location: Washington, DC Period: June through August 2016 Department/Team: Senior Resident Scholars/Program Outreach and Communication Position Title: Research and Program Intern
The Internship Program at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW) provides talented students and recent graduates with a three-month (or longer) unpaid training opportunity designed to encourage professional and personal development. As a newly established organization, we encourage out-of-the-box thinking and value fresh perspectives.
For more information, please click here. The deadline to receive applications for Summer 2016 is Friday, April 1 by 5:00 pm EST.
