Prior to the Russian military intervention in Syria that began in September 2015, some Gulf Cooperation Council governments had become hopeful that they could induce Russia to accept the GCC objective of the departure of President Bashar al-Assad from Syria and that Moscow would distance itself from Tehran in exchange for stronger economic ties with the GCC. With the Russian intervention in Syria, however, it has become clear that this approach has not succeeded in altering Russian foreign policy. Read more
Kuwait’s plans to expand its oil and gas production capacity have faced decades of delays, almost entirely due to debilitating discord between Kuwait’s Parliament (the National Assembly) and executive branch of government. The oil ministry and state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC), however, are at last moving forward with significant new oil and gas projects as the Parliament and Cabinet cooperate on budget deficits, declining oil revenue, and economic growth prospects. Read more
شاهد الملايين من الأمريكيين ثمانية أيام تاريخية بالفعل رشح فيها الحزب الجمهوري دونالد ترامب رجل الأعمال الثري و المثير للجدل و العداء و الذي يفتقر إلى الخبرة السياسية، و رشح فيها الحزب الديموقراطي هيلاري كلينتون كأول امرأة يرشحها حزب كبير لمنصب الرئاسة بعد حياة سياسية طويلة مثيرة للجدل و الشكوك. مساء الخميس، شهدت مدينة فيلادلفيا مرة أخرى حدثا تاريخيا عندما خاطبت هيلاري كلينتون الأمريكيين بصفتها أول أمرأة تكسر تقليدا رئاسيا أمريكيا عمره 240 سنة انتخب خلاله 44 رجلا لمنصب الرئاسة، و ها نحن على عتبة احتمال انتخاب أول امرأة لقيادة الولايات المتحدة اطلع على المزيد
There is an important, and unexpected, interlocutor in Saudi-Iranian relations right now. Engineering firms, power developers, ship builders, and terminal operators are doing the hard work of meeting the demands of economic diversification plans of both Saudi Arabia and Iran. Many of these key firms are South Korean, part of the chaebol, or formerly state-owned industrial conglomerates that led to the great East Asian miracle of industrialization and economic development that transformed South Korea from a sleepy agricultural-based, patriarchal economy to a leading capitalist democracy of the 21st century. Read more
When Hala Abdullah started the Riyadh Writing Club with her best friend, Mashael Alblehed, in 2009, they had in mind an easy way to meet and get inspired by other writers. Six years later, the small writers’ club has blossomed into a monthly meet-up where dozens of young female writers gather to discuss writing projects and share feedback. The club has also spurred the start of similar writing clubs in Jeddah and in Kuwait. The founders view the club as a way to empower young female writers in a place where both resources for writers and venues for young women to be heard are scarce, though very much in demand. Read more
In the Media
AGSIW Senior Resident Scholar Karen E. Young discussed the challenges of debt repayment in the Gulf with MEES: "The concern is that if Gulf sovereigns continue their current level of government expenditure and fiscal outlays, and continue to borrow to the degree that it looks like most want to do this year, there will be a revenue gap."
AGSIW Non-Resident Fellow Sigurd Neubauer discussed Oman's precarious position maintaining trade and security along the border with Yemen in an article in The National, noting, "It’s a very tricky balancing act that Oman has to engage in."
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 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, culture, economics, and U.S. policy toward the region. Monitor contemporary developments in the Gulf states and in U.S. policy, including reviews of regional media and foreign language sources. Contribute analytical essays, bibliographies, and summaries on relevant topics. Read more
Position Title: Research and Program Intern Department/Team: Programs and Communication Period: September through December 2016 Location: Washington, DC
Job Summary: 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. AGSIW will provide interns with a transportation stipend for the duration of the internship.
The deadline to apply for the fall 2016 internship is August 15. Read more
