On the face of it, the newfound assertiveness of Arab Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE might well suggest a greater degree of confidence and maturity than seen heretofore. And while I would like to think this is the case, I am persuaded that it is motivated at least in equal measure by a collective anxiety...Read full testimony
On Friday the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the National Dialogue Quartet in Tunisia, a group of organisations that played a critical role in guiding the country towards stability with good governance and accountability. The choice is excellent and timely. It reminds the world of how much progress the country has made, how deep the challenges remain, and how much the international community has at stake in helping it to continue to move forward and avoid the pitfalls of violence, confrontation and corruption. Read more
In the Media
Addressing the conflict in Yemen and the need for a political solution, VOA referenced AGSIW Executive Vice President Stephen Seche's October 6 testimony before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Seche suggested that the United States could encourage the Saudis to work toward a political solution by delaying the resupply of munitions, noting "If the Saudis want a new supply of modern weaponry … we need to find out [their] endgame." He continued, "Who’s going to be at the table and who’s going to make concessions?"
AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Hussein Ibish addressed Saudi Arabia's policy on Syria after Russia began conducting airstrikes. Speaking to The Financial Times, Ibish said, “More financial and logistical support for the rebels is just a start. The Gulf states can and will take more indirect action as well, perhaps including energy pricing measures that hurt all, but Iran more.”
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
