DATES July 11-13, 2017 LOCATIONS AGSIW, Landmark Atlantic Plumbing Cinema, Busboys and Poets (14th and V)
The past five years have witnessed a tremendous growth in creative fields – visual arts, digital media, film, design, fashion – in the Gulf Arab states. This symposium aims to celebrate these advances and evaluate their impact: on social change, and on the global perception and representation of the Gulf Arab states. RSVP
Surging population growth, large-scale infrastructure investment, and economic development progress have led to increased energy demand in the Gulf Cooperation Council states. Since late 2014, the new normal of low oil prices has necessitated fiscal constraints and at the same time prompted greater interest in renewable energy sources. It is therefore an opportune moment to examine the demand for and supply of renewable energy finance. Read more
Three weeks after the Gulf Cooperation Council’s worst crisis erupted, the diplomatic and economic boycott imposed on Qatar – the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) – has created only marginal logistical disruptions for international LNG markets and has had no impact on oil supplies. Qatar, one of the smallest producers in OPEC at around 600,000 barrels per day, represents just 2 percent of the group’s current production of 32.1 million barrels per day. Read more
رسمت مصادر مطلعة على الاتصالات الأمريكية مع الأطراف المتنازعة في الخليج صورة قاتمة لاحتمالات التوصل إلى حل تفاوضي
قريب، ورأت أن الأزمة بين قطر من جهة والسعودية ودولة الإمارات المتحدة ومصر والبحرين من جهة أخرى مرشحة للتفاقم أكثر في الأسابيع والأشهر المقبلة، لأنه على الرغم من الدعم العلني للوساطة الكويتية، فإن مواقف الطرفين راسخة وعصية على الحل في غياب تحول جذري في مواقف أي من الطرفين وهو أمر غير متوقع في أي وقت قريب. هذا التصور المتشائم لمستقبل علاقات قطر مع الدول الأربعة، وتحديدا السعودية والإمارات وفقا لمصادر أمريكية وخليجية، سوف يدفع الطرفين للتشدد أكثر، وقد يؤدي في وقت لاحق إلى نهاية مجلس التعاون الخليجي كتحالف سياسي- استراتيجي، الأمر الذي سيفرض على دول الخليج العربية وإيران وتركيا والولايات المتحدة خيارات جديدة بعضها سيكون صعبا، وربما تكلفته غالية
In my view, resolution of the crisis will require Qatar’s compromise on a number of key issues to appease its stronger and larger neighbors. Some of these concerns are shared by the United States, including the issues of terrorist financing and support for Islamist extremists, such as housing a number of individuals who are on U.S. and UN designated terrorist lists. In addition, Qatar will need to limit the use of Al Jazeera as a platform for extremist individuals who not only radicalize domestic audiences but also openly criticize the leadership of neighboring countries. Read more
As the confrontation between the Arab coalition and Qatar nears the one-month mark, with Doha insisting it intends to reject the 13 demands placed before it, it’s becoming increasingly clear that if there is to be any kind of reconciliation it will be brokered by Washington. Read more
In the Media
AGSIW Vice President Stephen A. Seche spoke with Fox News about U.S. policy and the conflict in Yemen. “There is a proclivity to stumble into these wars, into these conflicts if you will and I think that's the danger,” Seche said. “This is a low level conflict that then grows and our interest and our involvement in it grows and it almost sneaks up behind you until you realize that you are knee deep in the muck, and it's very hard to extricate yourself at that point.”
Speaking with AFP, AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish commented on the U.S. role in the Gulf Cooperation Council crisis: "The way out for both sides is a kind of an American mediation which is face-saving for everybody." In addition, with VOA Ibish discussed the causes of the rift, and ramifications for the United States and the region. Speaking with Al-Monitor about U.S. Senator Bob Corker's threat to block future arms sales to Gulf states if the situation is not resolved, Ibish stated, “It is a statement of extreme distress from the Senate, and a lack of leadership from the White House. It seems to be the case that the State Department wants to play a mediating role but doesn’t have any sort of green light.”
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. Read more
Position Title: Program and Digital Media Intern Department/Team: Programs and Publications Period: Fall 2017 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) unpaid training opportunity designed to encourage professional and personal development. We encourage out-of-the-box thinking and value fresh perspectives. AGSIW will provide interns with a transportation stipend. Read more
