Qatar's Adroit Post-October 7 Diplomacy
Qatar appears to have turned a serious potential liability, its long-standing support for Hamas, into diplomatic advantage.
Politics and Governance
Assad’s Fall Prompts Initial Gulf Unity but Differences and Concerns Are Emerging
Gulf states met the Syrian regime’s fall with unity and pragmatism. But already differences are emerging in response to the political transition and the possibility of chaos, extremism, and a feeble state unable to preserve its territorial integrity.
The End of Hamas in Doha?
Where Hamas operates from matters less than the broader absence of any coherent vision – from Israel, the Palestinians, or the international community – for future Arab leadership in Gaza.
Security
The Decline of Iran’s Proxy Network
The “axis of resistance” that Tehran built has weakened considerably. And Iran is facing a dilemma that is a culmination of a pivotal year of setbacks and miscalculations.
Militarized Nationalism: Oman’s Military Discipline Program
Oman’s Military Discipline Program uses military codes to promote top-down objectives, such as strengthening social cohesion, responsibility, and a sense of national belonging among young Omanis.
Iran’s Options Narrowing Rapidly
With nearly all its obvious national security pathways closed, Iran might be left with no option other than to turn inward toward addressing its domestic strains while seeking de-escalation with adversaries and downplaying its drive for regional influence.
Economy
Saudi Arabia on Global Stage for 2034 World Cup
Hosting the World Cup will be a huge opportunity for Saudi Arabia, supporting Vision 2030 reforms. While preparations for the tournament will be costly, they will boost economic growth and could spur further social change.
The Bahraini Economy Might Benefit From Trump’s Tariffs
Bahrain’s free trade agreement with the United States might give Manama a golden opportunity to attract foreign capital and produce a diverse range of merchandise exports.
Sanctions on Syria: Iran's Economic Gains and the Gulf-U.S. Divide
On Syria, the United States risks becoming increasingly out of step with its key allies, who have moved toward diplomatic engagement.
Energy
For the OPEC+ Oil Producers, a Year of Caution Paid Off
As 2024 comes to a close, oil markets remain under a cloud of uncertainty shaped by geopolitical risks, weaker-than-expected Chinese demand, and an evolving energy transition landscape.
Trump 2.0: Oil Market Implications for the Gulf States
As Trump seeks to maximize U.S. oil and gas output and choke off Iran’s oil exports, he will have no qualms about leaning into oil market issues.
Aramco’s Diversification Strategy: Fueling Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
Aramco’s journey reflects not just the shift in Saudi energy policy but a broader reimagining of what national oil companies can achieve on the global stage.
Environment
Facing the Storm: Gulf States Build Climate Resilience
Gulf governments are working to shift their strategies from natural disaster response to preemptive resilience strategies by identifying and mitigating risks before disasters occur.
Trees of the Gulf: Olive Trees and a Mediterranean Diet in the Desert
Saudi Arabia is challenging the Mediterranean’s 6,000-year hold on olive oil, but is this sustainable?
Trees of the Gulf: The Date Palm and the UAE’s Liwa Dates Festival
Gulf date festivals celebrate heritage and tell the story of tourism, trends, and entrepreneurship.
Society
Saudi World Cup 2034: The Sports-Sustainability Nexus
The influence of oil giant Saudi Aramco across football, Formula 1 racing, and golf reveals how closely Saudi Arabia’s sports policy aligns with its energy transition and sustainability agenda.
Saudi National Day Evolves
Saudi Arabia's 94th National Day reflected a new seriousness in the kingdom, alongside the celebrations.
Khosh Fkra Reshapes Bahrain's Media
Khosh Fkra has grown from a podcast interviewing local business owners to a thriving media agency creating content from Bahrain to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Arts and Culture
Fablemill: Bringing Stories From the Region to Life
Through Fablemill, Eman Alsabah and her team are creating content that celebrates the region’s diverse stories and speaks to a global audience.
The Rise of Vernacular, Community-Driven Architecture in the Gulf
In new structures across the Gulf, vernacular architectural forms are increasingly being used in new contemporary buildings preserving local tradition while also modernizing.
Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial Boosts Arts Accessibility
The increasing investment into public art shows a commitment by Abu Dhabi to expand access to the city’s cultural offerings.
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Through its careful examination of the forces shaping the evolution of Gulf societies and the new generation of emerging leaders, AGSIW facilitates a richer understanding of the role the countries in this key geostrategic region can be expected to play in the 21st century.
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