Wary But Intrigued, Saudi Arabia is Still Weighing Potential Ties to Israel
A year after the signing of the Abraham Accords, Saudi Arabia remains poised between joining the accords or deciding it is not worth the many risks involved.
Politics and Governance
Abraham Accords: Israel Assesses Successes, Shortcomings in Expanding Gulf Relations
Despite gains in bilateral relations and economic ties, one year after the signing of the Abraham Accords, there is an understanding in Israel that the agreements have not yet changed the “rules of the game” on a strategic level in the region.
Another Morocco-Algeria Rupture Jeopardizes Gulf Outreach, Regional Connectivity
Gulf actors will be paying close attention to the dispute to make sure it does not transition to more direct conflict that could further jeopardize regional stability and strategic Europe-Mediterranean-Africa market linkages.
Security
Yemen: Regional Dynamics May Help New U.N. Envoy in Negotiations
With the peace process stalled, Hans Grundberg will need to revise the framework for ending the conflict in Yemen, but his main challenge lies in bringing the local actors to the political discussion.
Tremors from the 9/11 “Earthquake” Continue to Shape the Gulf and Relations With U.S.
The 9/11 attacks reshaped Gulf Arab perceptions of terrorism and Islamism, of each other, and of strategic relations with Tehran and Washington.
The Debate Over the U.S. Military Role in the Gulf
Maximalist proposals calling for near-total withdrawal or expanding the U.S. military footprint are unrealistic. The task is to find effective ways of doing as much, or more, with less.
Economy
Saudi-Emirati Competition Lays Bare State-Led Pursuit of Economic Interests
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pushing to advance their economic interests, but it does not necessarily have to be a zero-sum game.
Flexibility, Multifaceted Objectives Contribute to Persistence of Gulf Free Zones
Free zones are poised to remain central elements of the post-coronavirus economic recoveries in Gulf Arab states despite shocks impacting the broader business-oriented sector and ongoing commercial reforms.
Keeping the Spirit Alive: Vision 2030 Five Years On
Saudi government outreach acknowledges the strains of diversification plans and austerity measures while also seeking to renew the public’s interest in achieving the economic transformation's goals.
Energy
Iraq Secures Largest Foreign Investment in Two Decades With TotalEnergies Deal
The TotalEnergies deal with Iraq includes clean energy aspects that are a step in the right direction for the country to develop a more sustainable economy, but the focus is still on oil and gas.
OPEC+ Contends With Conflicting Signals as Coronavirus Threat Persists
Uncertainty hangs over energy markets as Washington calls on OPEC+ to open the taps, and the IEA warns of coming oil supply surplus.
The Saudi-UAE Race for Hydrogen: A Play for the Renewables Narrative, Not Profits
Why are Saudi and Emirati policymakers committing billions of dollars to developing production capacity for a fuel for which there is almost no existing commercial demand?
Environment
Paradise Lost: An Environmental Tragedy in Iran
Iran’s Khuzestan province has experienced an unprecedented water shortage; yet climate change alone cannot explain how an area endowed with such exceptional natural resources could fail its people so catastrophically.
Iraq’s Water Crisis: An Existential But Unheeded Threat
Iraq’s new government will have its work cut out for it in addressing the water crisis. But time will not be on its side.
Pressure Builds on Gulf Countries To Take Climate Action
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic dealt a significant blow to global climate diplomacy, but the strengthening of a number of trends might signal more momentous changes to come.
Society
Kuwait’s Ongoing Struggle Against Gender Violence
Grassroots activism demanding an end to gender-based violence in Kuwait has gained national traction and is encouraging more legislative action.
The Long Game in Iraq: Shia Clerics, Activists Find Common Cause To Confront the State
A new generation of Iraqis fighting for a reimagining of their country have formed an informal alliance with Iraqi clerics – a radical departure from the trend in most Arab states.
Keep the Faith: Mohammed bin Salman’s Message to Saudis
On April 27, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat down for a television interview five years after the announcement of Vision 2030.
Arts and Culture
The Gulf’s New Sound: Indie Music and Global Change
There is a new talented class of musicians in the Gulf states. Their music is a clarion call for personal change along with sociocultural renewal from Jeddah to Manama and New Orleans.
Latifa Al Khalifa: A Local Curator Showcases Gulf Societies
From collecting wedding photos and exploring the evolution of khaleeji music to using humor to write about how people behave during the holy month of Ramadan, a Bahraini curator brings to light intriguing stories about Gulf societies.
Children’s Literature in the Gulf: Reviving the Art of Local Storytelling
Local authors contribute to the region’s art of storytelling and revive the heritage of traditional tales.
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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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