In a significant policy reversal, OPEC members opted to revert to their traditional market management strategy of production targets to reduce the global oil supply glut during meetings that took place on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum in Algiers, September 26-28. The producer group reached a collective understanding on the need to reduce oil output given the slow pace of market rebalancing and the continued weak oil price outlook, but left the Herculean task of hammering out a binding agreement until the next scheduled ministerial conference on November 30 in Vienna. Read more
Saudi Arabia’s economic reform efforts kicked into gear this week with announcements that public salaries are to be slashed and generous perks like long paid holidays are to be curtailed. This is the new Saudi Arabia that aims at increased productivity and a slimmed down fiscal policy. Most governments would anticipate some resistance to moves to reduce spending and streamline public sector employment in numbers and efficiency, in line with private sector productivity. For Saudi Arabia, the policy is both a shock, and among many citizens, a relief. Read more
لا يزال المشهد الانتخابي الأمريكي غامضا قبل 40 يوما من عملية الاقتراع، وبعد بضعة أيام من المناظرة الأولى بين هيلاري كلينتون ودونالد ترامب، والتي أكدت مختلف استطلاعات الرأي التقويم الأولي للعديد من الخبراء والمحللين بأن أداء كلينتون كان أفضل بكثير من أداء ترامب الرديء والذي أظهر ضحالة معرفته بالقضايا المعقدة التي تواجهها البلاد، وأبرز بشكل سافر طبعه النابي وشخصيته الاستفزازية والفظة اطلع على المزيد
Anger in some parts of the Arabian Gulf over a new US law, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (Jasta), is understandable. But the energy being squandered complaining would be much better spent on the lively prospects for finding a solution. Jasta allows Americans to sue foreign governments over the deaths of Americans killed in terrorist attacks on US soil. It’s mainly intended to allow the families of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to sue the Saudi government and officials over alleged complicity in the atrocities. Read more
In the Media
AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Karen E. Young commented on the Yemeni banking crisis for The National, noting that "The unilateral decision by President Hadi to dismantle the Yemen Central Bank and move its headquarters to Aden is the equivalent of economic siege to the north."
AGSIW Visiting Scholar Hala Aldosari appeared on TRT World News, where she discussed the campaign to end the women's guardianship system in Saudi Arabia. Aldosari also commented on the hashtag used by campaign activists #IAmMyOwnGuardian in The Guardian and spoke with BBC World News regarding the campaign.
AGSIW Non-Resident Fellow Fahad Nazer spoke with BBC regarding the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA). Nazer discussed the potential economic and political repercussions of the legislation on U.S.-Saudi relations.
AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish also commented on JASTA for Asharq Al-Awsat. AGSIW Non-Resident Fellow Abdulkhaleq Abdulla and Nazer additionally discussed the GCC reaction to JASTA in Asharq Al-Awsat. Abdulla noted, "This should be clear to America and to the rest of the world: When one GCC state is targeted unfairly, the others stand around it."
Position Title: Associate – Cultural Programs Department/Team: Programs and Communication Period: Part Time (25 hours/week, no benefits) Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: The cultural associate will be responsible for proposing and implementing cultural programming at AGSIW, such as panel discussions, film screenings, art exhibitions, and music performances. The associate will monitor the arts and culture scene in the GCC countries and help shape the direction of AGSIW cultural programming. The associate will provide administrative, communication, and logistical support to the programs team to plan and execute cultural programming. 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 administrative 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 in 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 administrative, communications, and logistical support to senior resident scholars, and perform additional tasks as requested. Read more
