The Biden Team Eyes the Conflict in Syria Warily
The Biden team must assess whether it has the leverage and sufficient regional support if it wants to continue with the status quo in Syria.
Politics and Governance
Turkey’s Africa Policy: Success Story or Inflated Narrative?
Facing domestic and external pressure on multiple fronts, Turkey is in desperate need of success stories, especially in the foreign policy domain.
Qatar’s Regional Relations and Foreign Policy After Al Ula
The agreement ending the rift with Qatar seems to have helped mitigate some regional tensions, but will the spirit of cooperation continue?
Security
Battlefield Realities Overshadow Some Core Yemeni Concerns in Peace Process
With multiple interests at play, peacemaking in Yemen is a complex problem that goes beyond one party's willingness to take action.
Libya 10 Years After the NATO Intervention: U.N. Report Explains Challenges
The U.N. Panel of Experts report illustrates exactly how militarized Libya remains today as well as how unsuccessful the international community has been in combatting foreign interference.
Can a New Iranian Book Help Develop a Gulf Regional Security Framework?
Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, AGSIW’s board chair, looks at Seyed Hossein Mousavian’s “A New Structure for Security, Peace, and Cooperation in the Persian Gulf.”
Economy
Japan’s Oil Diplomacy in the Gulf: Old Idea, New Approaches
Japan’s need for energy security has long driven relations with the Gulf states, but, under the banner of economic diplomacy, Gulf-Japan ties are diversifying.
Israel-UAE Normalization: Poised for Economic Breakout
Given the complementarity of long-term economic interests between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and the ties already taking root, relations will likely continue to grow.
Arar Border Opening: Saudi Arabia Steps Up Economic Competition in Iraq
Saudi Arabia must compete with other regional hegemons, mainly Turkey and Iran, as it works to increase its economic influence in Iraq.
Energy
Everything at Once: Transformation of Abu Dhabi’s Oil Policy
Abu Dhabi traditionally managed its oil and gas resources cautiously and conserved hydrocarbon wealth for future generations, but the energy transition is reshaping its strategy.
Iraq Puts Faith in Total To Deliver More Gas, Water, and Solar Projects
A $7 billion deal with French oil major Total could provide a lifeline for Iraq’s fragile economy.
OPEC+ Oil Producers Hold Course as Demand Worries Persist
Saudi Arabia and Russia appear to be on the same page now, but OPEC+ will have to consider the impacts of its market management policies if it wants to avoid the pitfalls that have contributed to oil price volatility in the past.
Environment
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.
Oman’s Tradition of Environmental Protection Runs Into Economic Headwinds
The Omani government’s focus on protecting the natural environment and wildlife goes back decades, but a shift in authorities might jeopardize the country’s progress toward advancing its national climate strategy.
Gulf States’ Climate Change Policies Amid a Global Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic represents an opportunity to reevaluate existing policies and tools, and climate change provides the needed lens for redirecting development onto sustainable trajectories.
Society
Filling the Religious Void: Yoga and Self-Awareness in Saudi Arabia
The marginalization of religious figures in Saudi Arabia has prompted a rise of trends focusing on spirituality and meditation to promote self-awareness.
Revitalizing Yemen’s Ancient Traditions of Coffee Cultivation
Young Yemenis set up coffee startups to bolster Yemen’s agricultural sector, setting the stage for economic recovery and social change.
Labor Reforms in Saudi Arabia: Ambitious Focus on Foreign Workers and Unemployment
New labor reforms are an important first step to improve conditions for foreign workers and could open the door for wider reforms.
Arts and Culture
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.
101: Stimulating the UAE’s Grassroots Art Scene
During the coronavirus lockdown, young Emiratis set up a platform to support emerging local artists and engage with a wider audience to inspire curiosity and raise awareness about the local art scene.
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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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