Saudi Arabia has embarked on an ambitious program of national transformation aiming to diversify the economy away from oil dependence, expand the private sector, and transform government practice. Yet difficult challenges remain. AGSIW's conference, "Saudi Arabia Transforming," focused on the key drivers reshaping Saudi Arabia, one year after the release of Saudi Vision 2030. Read more
AGSIW was pleased to host a briefing on the status of the conflict in Yemen and efforts to provide relief to the country’s civilian population. With the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen against the rebel Houthis now into its third year, and dire predictions of widespread famine if the conflict continues unabated, this roundtable presented an assessment of the situation on the ground and prospects for a political resolution. Read more
In the past few years, women have been increasingly assuming leadership positions in public and private sectors of Saudi Arabia. In addition to being appointed to municipal councils and the Royal Advisory Shura Council, a handful of women have now been chosen as directors of financial institutions, a dean of a university, an undersecretary for the General Authority for Sports, and a director of a resort chain. The fast-paced appointments coincide with the expansion of grassroots social media campaigns led by women activists, and have been celebrated as significant steps toward an expansion of women’s participation in public and private institutions in Saudi Arabia. Read more
قبل أسبوع من أول جولة خارجية له في الشرق الأوسط وأوروبا، صدم الرئيس دونالد ترامب الأوساط السياسية والقضائية في البلاد حين أقال جيمس كومي مدير مكتب التحقيقات الفيدرالي (أف بي آي) من منصبه، بسبب إصرار الأخير على مواصلة التحقيق بالتدخل الروسي في انتخابات الرئاسة، واحتمال تورط مقربين من المرشح والرئيس ترامب نفسه بالتدخل الروسي. وهكذا، وبقرار واحد عمق ترامب الاستقطابات في البلاد، وأحرج مرة أخرى بعض القيادات الجمهورية في الكونغرس، ودخل تلك المنطقة الرمادية التي تسمح توجيه اتهامات له بإساءة استخدام صلاحياته الدستورية، واستعادة أصداء فضيحة ووترغيت في فترة الرئيس الأمريكي السابق ريتشارد نيكسون، ومناخ الترهيب الذي صاحبها اطلع على المزيد
In addition to original content, AGSIW.org in Arabic is regularly updated with new Arabic translations of AGSIW's analysis. New translations include:
Senior Emirati officials will meet US president Donald Trump this month, with much to discuss. Mr Trump’s first overseas trip begins on May 19, and significantly his first stop is Saudi Arabia. King Salman has invited Sheikh Khalifa, the President, to attend meetings with Mr Trump on May 20, at what will probably be the third annual US-Gulf Cooperation Council summit, and again on May 21 with a broader group of Arab and Muslim countries. Additional high-level consultations could come even sooner. Read more
In late April, the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, appointed one of his sons, Prince Khalid bin Salman, as the kingdom’s new ambassador to the United States. The appointment was part of larger reshuffling at the top of the Saudi government. Khalid’s ascent was a sign of the growing power of his older brother, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the Saudi minister of defense. Read more
In the Media
AGSIW President Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba discussed Saudi Vision 2030 and U.S. President Donald J. Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia with Al Arabiya, Saudi TV, and Al Riyadh Newspaper. She additionally discussed the Yemen conflict with Saudi TV and Kuwait Television. Wahba also commented on the May visit of Gulf Cooperation Council officials to Washington for Arab News, noting that the visit was an opportunity for U.S. and Gulf officials to “sit down and talk together, and we hope to receive good reactions from decision makers in the Gulf and in the US.”
Speaking with The National, AGSIW Executive Vice President Stephen A. Seche also commented on Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia: "It’s a friend of a friend coming over and saying this is going to be an important trip, let us help you understand the ground realities." He continued, "It’s still a sharp learning curve situation for the White House to understand a very prickly and difficult to fathom regional situation."
Writing for Arab News, Joyce Karam discussed Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud's comments at AGSIW's "Saudi Arabia Transforming" conference, highlighting his comments on Saudi Vision 2030, women's empowerment, and the positive view held by Saudi Arabia of its relationship with the United States.
Gulf Affairs invites scholars to submit original analytical articles for its upcoming issue on the theme “Foreign Policy Trends in the GCC States,” edited by AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Karen E. Young.
Gulf Affairs is a journal founded by the Oxford Gulf & Arabian Peninsula Studies Forum (OxGAPS), a University of Oxford-based platform. The journal is dedicated to furthering knowledge and dialogue on the pressing issues and challenges facing the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Each issue focuses on a particular theme, allowing for a comprehensive discussion from various analytical perspectives and fields of study. Accepted articles are reviewed and edited prior to publication. Read more
Position Title: Visiting Scholar Department/Team: Senior Resident Scholars Period: Fall 2017 Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: 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. AGSIW will provide a stipend that can be used to cover living expenses, travel costs, or incidental research expenses. Read more
Position Title: Research Associate (Economic Analysis) Department/Team: Senior Resident Scholars Period: Part Time (20-25 hours/week, no benefits) Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: 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, finance, macroeconomics, 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. Read more
