What’s Behind the Arab Alternative to Trump's Gaza Proposal
The GCC +2 meeting, followed by the Arab League, has to take Trump's dangerously implausible ideas about Gaza seriously, but Israel won't countenance the Arab states’ alternative.
Politics and Governance
The Terror Designation: Houthis Scramble While Dismissing Its Impact
While not without risks, Trump’s redesignation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization is a powerful diplomatic tool for Yemen’s government.
AGSIW Outlook 2025: Gulf States at the Nexus of a Shifting World Order
AGSIW experts explain the regional trends they’ll be following most closely as the year unfolds.
Security
Emirati and Saudi Ambitions for Next-Generation Fighters
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are looking to next-gen tech and ultramodern combat aircraft to give them a military edge on adversaries.
The Coming War in Yemen
Trump’s executive order redesignating the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization threatens direct military action against the Houthis, raising the possibility that the United States could get sucked into another long-term conflict in the Middle East.
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.
Economy
Sanctions on Syria Prevent Economic Recovery and Rebuilding the Country
For Syria to have a chance at stability, the United States and the EU need to urgently consider lifting the layers of economic sanctions imposed on Syria under Assad and allow Gulf countries to help rebuild the war-torn country.
The Trump Effect: The Potential Impact of the U.S. President on the Saudi Economy
Economic growth looks set to accelerate in Saudi Arabia this year, but the policies of President Donald J. Trump are creating considerable uncertainty for the outlook.
Oman’s Bid to Attract Investment
As Oman pursues its Vision 2040 reform agenda, many opportunities could stem from closer economic and long-term alignment with neighbors and other major trading partners.
Energy
BP’s Return to Kirkuk
A new deal between the Iraqi government and BP to develop oil fields in Iraq's most contested province could rekindle a century-old flame between Baghdad and Erbil.
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.
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
Discovering New Gold: Culture and the Future of Saudi-U.S. Relations
With Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s bold blueprint for the future, culture is being elevated as a fundamental pillar of the Saudi-U.S. alliance.
Fashion Trust Arabia Unites Creative Voices in Middle Eastern Fashion
From innovative designs to a collaboration with Morocco, Fashion Trust Arabia brings energy to the region’s fashion community.
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.
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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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