Iran's 2024 Elections: Vote Without Voters
Does a voter boycott matter in a country that is not a democracy, and is there a correlation between lack of electoral participation and political violence?
Does a voter boycott matter in a country that is not a democracy, and is there a correlation between lack of electoral participation and political violence?
To adapt to the post-October 7 environment, Qatar may need to abandon some long-standing policies and reemerge as a truly neutral broker and mediator.
Should the Islamic Republic utilize the March 1 elections to end effective enforcement of the hijab law, it will remove a source of constant friction between state and society in Iran, but the regime will also lose an instrument of intimidating the urban middle class.
While not yet successful, the Biden administration’s “deter and degrade” approach may prove to be an adaptable approach that can be modified into a winning strategy.
The Houthis see the attacks in the Red Sea as part of a broader political project that goes back decades.
Targeted assassinations of skilled engineers, seasoned commanders, and intelligence operatives are no doubt taking a toll on the IRGC and the Quds Force but not enough for Iran to reconsider its attempt at containing the perceived threat from Israel.
Following progress addressing economic vulnerabilities, Oman is poised to enter a new phase of economic policymaking, armed with new policy tools and development initiatives.
The transfer of Saudi Aramco equity helps grow the PIF but could leave a hole in the 2024 government budget.
Given the volatility of hydrocarbon prices and other external shocks, Gulf Arab states can benefit from adopting countercyclical fiscal policies – a bold, but necessary, shift that will limit fallback during economic downturns.
Oil flows are redirected as war and Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea disrupt traffic.
As Central Asian states seek to diversify their economic partnerships, the UAE and Saudi Arabia double down on green investments in the region to bolster their energy transitions.
Global shifts have revitalized the move toward hydrogen as an energy source. However, discussions often center on cost and technical barriers, neglecting critical questions regarding water as a feedstock in hydrogen production.
Tracking the efforts and successes of civil society elements in underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change will remain a key bellwether for progress on issues relating to global warming, energy transition, and sustainability.
The absence of a functioning state exacerbates Yemen’s environmental disasters, compounding the humanitarian crisis caused by years of conflict.
Whether it is water and food scarcity, migration pressures, or infrastructure damage due to extreme weather events, the pace at which Gulf governments are willing to implement pro-climate policies might not be fast enough to mitigate the most pressing challenges.
Forty-five years after the revolution and establishment of the Islamic Republic, the regime in Tehran is not only widely distrusted but has also sown the seeds of distrust among Iranians.
Having failed to shape the society to its liking, can the Islamic Republic adapt to a society that is increasingly demanding separation between religion and state?
Kuwait University's responsibility to educate students for a globalized workforce in conjunction with the younger generation’s more liberal attitudes may lead to a gradual reevaluation of gender segregation rules.
While beautifying the kingdom, public art projects in Saudi Arabia engage Saudis and at the same time foster cross-cultural dialogue.
Ahmed Alghasra blends advocacy for the Palestinians with his photography to document demonstrations on social media and amplify youth perspectives on the Gaza conflict.
The Layali Al-Qaisariyah festival in Al-Hofuf, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, is an illuminating example of how the kingdom's art and entertainment agenda manifests outside the major cities.
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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