Muhannad Shono: Creating His Own Saudi Narrative
When Muhannad Shono began his career Saudi's creative economy was not a domain to be celebrated in the kingdom.
Arts and Culture
The Gulf Arab States in Venice: Architecture, Representation, and the Perils of Politics
Five Arab countries are participating in the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale, including, for the first time, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
“Yes We Cannes”: Cinematic Diversification in Saudi Arabia
Ahmad bin Fahd Al-Mezyed, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Culture, used the 2018 Cannes Film Festival as a cinematic backdrop to garner international interest in the Saudi film and television industry.
Economy
Iran’s Rising Unemployment Crisis
Iran’s increasingly tight job market, as a result of poor political and economic policies, as well as global sanctions, may intensify sociopolitical dissatisfaction and spark further unrest.
New UAE Investment Laws Pose Challenge to Free Zones
Government efforts to legalize full foreign ownership in specific sectors aim to significantly boost inward foreign investments. However, the commercial reform threatens to disrupt the long-standing economic institutions and commercial incentives associated with free zones.
OPEC and Allies Mull Oil Production Cut while Trump Presses to Keep Prices Low
Ahead of their December 6 meeting in Vienna, OPEC and its non-OPEC allies are considering whether and to what extent they need to curb production to balance an oversupplied market and lift oil prices. But Trump’s pressure to keep oil prices low will make their job that much harder.
Energy
Oil Producers Hammer Out Compromise Deal in Vienna; Extent of Cuts Unclear
Looking to boost oil prices, OPEC and its non-OPEC allies have agreed to curtail oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day, but the volume of barrels taken off the market may prove to be much higher.
Qatar Shuffles Back to the Future
Qatar’s recent Cabinet reshuffle and announcement it will withdraw from OPEC are decisions that are not likely to herald a strategic shift in the country’s direction, but they do demonstrate that Doha is, once again, pursuing its own regional interests.
Can Iraq’s New Oil Minister Reshape the Energy Sector?
Iraq’s new oil minister, Thamir Ghadhban, has managed to maneuver his way around the maze of Iraq’s sectarian politics; now, he will have to oversee a restructuring of the energy sector without upsetting the vested interests that have benefited from the absence of good governance across the Iraqi political spectrum.
Environment
Facing the Dual Challenge of Energy Security and Climate Change: The Oman Example
To meet the dual challenge of energy security and climate change, the Gulf Arab states need a holistic understanding of energy systems when planning an advantageous energy mix.
Why Oil- and Gas-Rich Gulf Arab States are Turning to Coal
Burning coal produces almost double the amount of carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels such as diesel or natural gas.
Integrating Climate Change Policies with Economic Diversification Strategies: Challenges and Opportunities in Oman and the UAE
Since the 1930s, the Arab Gulf states have been defined by their hydrocarbon wealth.
Politics and Governance
Bahrain’s Carefully Managed Elections Remake Parliament
On November 24 and December 1 Bahrain held elections for the lower house of Parliament and municipal councils. The new members – absent representation by once-influential opposition societies and dominated by political independents and newcomers – will face a strenuous test with austerity measures looming.
GCC Interests in the Horn of Africa: Can the Gulf States Play a Uniting Role?
In this video, Elizabeth Dickinson, Michael Woldemariam, and Annette Weber discuss the uniting impact of the Gulf Arab states in the Horn of Africa region.
Gulf Strategic Interests Reshaping the Horn of Africa
As Gulf Arab states exert greater influence in the Horn of Africa, the region’s future is being reimagined.
Security
The War in Syria is Transforming the IRGC into an Expeditionary Force
The metamorphosis of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps into an expeditionary force as a result of the Syrian war bodes ill for the United States and its allies in the Middle East, who will likely encounter a more confrontational Islamic Republic in the future.
GCC Interests in the Horn of Africa: Economic Interests and Security Strategies
In this video, Annette Weber, Michael Woldemariam, and Elizabeth Dickinson discuss economic interests and security strategies of the Gulf Arab states in the Horn of Africa region.
GCC Interests in the Horn of Africa: Historical Connections, Red Sea Stability
In this video, Mohammed Baharoon and Elizabeth Dickinson discuss historical ties, as well as economic and security interests, between the Gulf Arab states and the Horn of Africa region.
Society
Gray Area: Advocating for the Noncitizen Children of Kuwaiti Mothers
Nationality and naturalization laws are often ambiguous in Kuwait, specifically for the children of Kuwaiti mothers and foreign or bidun (stateless) fathers.
Social Media Influencers in the Gulf Arab States
Authorities in the Gulf states are wrestling with the rise of social media stars, regulating their use of social platforms while simultaneously trying to capitalize on their fame.
Mohammed bin Salman’s Media Obsession – and What it Means for Dissent
Control over the media is central to the Saudi crown prince’s transformation program – and to Jamal Khashoggi’s death.
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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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