The Restructuring of Saudi Arts and Entertainment
As part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic and social reform plan, Vision 2030, the kingdom has taken a top-down approach to developing the country’s arts and culture sector.
Arts and Culture
Defying Transience: Urban Landscapes in the Gulf States
The khaleeji city embraces the fleeting and transitory. Yet amid this transience, migrants have attempted to create a home and set down roots.
Storytelling in Today’s Saudi Arabia
The drama series “Al-Asouf” vividly captures the trend of telling Saudi stories with Saudi actors and its power in shaping the public’s perceptions and aspirations.
Economy
Global Oil Stocks Mitigate Market Impact of Saudi Attacks
Despite cutting more than half of Saudi Arabia’s current crude oil production, the market response to the attacks on Saudi oil facilities has been muted.
As Personnel Shuffle, the PIF Marches Steadily to Saudi Vision 2030 Beat
The reshuffling of top officials in Saudi Arabia’s flagship state-owned firms and key ministries underscores the growing authority of the Public Investment Fund.
Aramco, Ministry Reshuffle Highlight Role of Oil Giant in Saudi Economic Transformation
To be effective, Saudi Arabia needs to keep its oil sector healthy while invigorating the other value-creating parts of the economy.
Energy
International Response Required to Deter Further Iranian Attacks on Global Energy Supplies
Strikes on Saudi oil facilities are an opportunity to marshal a global coalition to restore deterrence in the Gulf.
IMO 2020: Demand for Low Sulfur Fuel Benefits Gulf Oil and Gas Producers
Countries that export larger quantities of low-sulfur crude oil will be the foremost beneficiaries of the demand brought on by IMO 2020, but the new regulations will not be a boon for everyone in the region.
Challenges to Maximizing Renewables in Oman's Energy Mix
For the Gulf Arab states, renewables could contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also supporting economic goals of meeting increasing domestic energy demand and creating jobs.
Environment
Iraq Looks Forward to Energy Independence
Iraq aims to grow its oil and gas production capacity to meet its domestic needs, but this will take time, a commodity the country can ill afford.
Climate Change and Economic Diversification in Saudi Arabia: Integrity, Challenges, and Opportunities
While Saudi Arabia’s long involvement in global climate change negotiations has attracted mounting attention, little is known about the kingdom’s climate change governance at the domestic level or its progress in terms of addressing climate change in line with economic diversification.
Burning the Midnight Oil to Keep the Lights On
The Gulf is extremely vulnerable to climate change and the clock is ticking to keep the lights and air conditioners on without causing harm to their already fragile environment.
Politics and Governance
A Fractious Unity: Conflict Dynamics in Yemen’s South
Rising tensions in Yemen’s South are rooted in long-held Southern grievances and a desire for autonomy.
Potential for Reducing Gulf Tensions
The diplomatic deadlock between the United States and Iran places the burden for preventing conflict on the European countries and some of the other trading partners of Iran.
UAE Outreach to Iran Cracks Open the Door to Dialogue
While the Emiratis have their own reasons for outreach to Tehran, Washington and Riyadh may find it useful as well.
Security
Party of One? Maritime Coalition Challenges in the Gulf
Gulf maritime security may be morphing from a U.S. responsibility into a multinational responsibility.
Conflict or Compromise: U.S. and Iran on a Knife’s Edge
Whatever the path out of the current crisis, Gulf Arab states seeking an end to Iranian interference in regional affairs are likely to be disappointed.
UAE Withdrawal Creates “Crucial Moment” for Yemen Conflict
With its decision to withdraw from Yemen, the UAE has fundamentally changed the strategic context in Yemen.
Society
Saudi Changes to Guardianship System Ease Restrictions on Women
The regulations introduced to travel and civil status laws will limit the state’s ability to intervene in the private sphere.
Parallels between Feminist Movements in Saudi Arabia and China
The growing closeness between China and Saudi Arabia sheds some light on similar structural features and sociopolitical trends that have emerged in both countries, particularly the rise of parallel feminist mobilizations.
The Manama Workshop and the Course of Normalization in the Gulf
The “Peace to Prosperity” workshop in Bahrain may have been less about Palestinian prosperity and more about drawing Arab, especially Gulf, countries into the Middle East peace process – and into deeper normalization with Israel.
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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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