For Saudi Arabia, There’s a Dealmaking Opportunity With Trump
Trump’s unrealized quest to craft a major international agreement presents significant potential opportunities for Riyadh.
Politics and Governance
Iran Meets Elon
While any U.S.-Iran rapprochement could potentially ease sanctions on Iran, such a shift is poised to generate sharply divergent responses among U.S. allies.
First EU-GCC Summit Charts Course for Strategic Partnership
The acknowledgment of the growing interdependency between the EU and GCC and the rising diplomatic role of the Gulf Arab countries in global affairs have prompted Brussels to step up political engagement with the GCC.
Security
Gaza Impact Creep: Is the Fight Against ISIL a Casualty?
The commander of the U.S. partner force in Syria says the Gaza war is damaging internal security and regional support in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Task Force 154: Pursuing Interforce Interoperability in Turbulent Waters
As the Gaza war and campaign of Houthi attacks targeting commercial shipping have prompted the United States to strengthen its military footprint regionally, the U.S.-led Task Force 154 aims to enhance interforce interoperability.
Militarized: National Security Decision Making in Iran
Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s new book highlights the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' dominance in national security decision making.
Economy
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.
Aramco’s Latest Financial Results Suggest That Its Dividend Policy Is Unsustainable
Aramco is unlikely to be able to sustain its current dividend payout absent a strong rebound in oil revenue. A reduced dividend would have negative implications for the finances of the government and Public Investment Fund.
Trump’s Commercial Influence in the Gulf
Whether or not former President Donald J. Trump wins the presidency for a second time, his commercial brand will remain a visible feature of the Gulf region.
Energy
UAE-India Green Deals Present Multilateral Opportunities
Recent agreements between the UAE and India are not only significant steps toward strengthening the bilateral partnership but also reducing the countries’ carbon footprint in the energy sector.
China's Rise in Iraq's Energy Sector: From Newcomer to Dominant Player
While Iraqi leaders consistently emphasize the importance of Western investment in their energy sector, their actions instead are increasing Iraq’s dependence on Chinese markets and oil firms.
The Presidential Election’s Implications for Gulf Oil Exporters
The opposing candidates’ energy policy agendas have stark differences, and each will have ramifications for the Gulf oil exporters, the global climate agenda, and international trade relations.
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 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.
Will Gulf Camping Survive the Tourism Boom?
Even as they make heavy investment in tourism projects, including in remote areas, Gulf governments will need to ensure they do not lose sight of a camping tradition that celebrates a shared heritage tied to the region's wild places.
Arts and Culture
“Gentle Porosities:” Mashael Alsaie’s First Solo Show Urges a Tenderness Toward the Land
In Hunna Art’s new space, Bahraini multimedia artist Mashael Alsaie takes visitors on a journey through a metaphorical whirlpool, hoping to inspire a gentleness toward the environment.
A New Silk Road: The Gulf’s Cultural Engagement With the Far East
Collaborations between the Gulf Arab states and Asia underscore a growing sentiment that culturally there is more in common between the Gulf and the Far East than there is between the Gulf and the West.
Hand Into the Past: Omani Artist Kawthar Al Harthi’s Contemplative Creative Practice
Collagist and installation artist Kawthar Al Harthi uses mixed media to excavate material histories and personal memories.
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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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