Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The UAE is revisiting its foreign policy goals with the aim of boosting its global trade partnerships and ensuring its security and political stability, by replacing robust military intervention and proxy politics with dialogue and diplomacy.
The UAE’s $10 billion investment in Turkey is only the tip of the normalization iceberg. The warm meeting between Emirati and Turkish leaders might be an indicator of possible rapprochement, intended for both parties’ adversaries.
There is an urgent need in all Gulf countries for genuine constitutional reforms and new social contracts that guarantee people’s rights to political participation, decision making, and control of national wealth.
Terminating the contracts of hundreds of Yemenis in Saudi Arabia constitutes a tremendous political, social, and security hinderance to short and medium-term plans for peace in Yemen.
Maritime security plays a key role in the UAE’s recalibration of its foreign policy, particularly in the Bab al-Mandab region. The straits diplomacy embodies the transfer of Emirati policy from spreading power to protecting influence.
Bahrain has seen a recent reinvigoration of the citizenship equality campaign, led by both young and old feminist activists. With citizenship discrimination now being a popular topic in public discourse, there could potentially be a shift in social advocacy in Bahrain altogether.
Dividing electoral districts along tribal lines will be a key test for Qatar and the rest of the Gulf states.
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan poses a security challenge to some Middle Eastern countries, especially the Gulf states, which prompted them to take measures to protect their interests. However, this withdrawal constitutes an opportunity for other Arab regimes such as Jordan to tighten their grip on their opponents.
While diversionary conflict is necessary in some cases to maintain stability in the face of domestic upheaval, in Iran’s case, a “diversionary peace” is a more likely solution.
Yemen’s peace process is (hopefully) just beginning—here’s what the international community can do to help.
In the grueling battle over the oil rich city of Ma’rib, the Houthis stand to win it all as the sluggish efforts for peace continue.
The recent agreement between Iran and China promotes a strategic partnership that goes beyond economic objectives as China continues to focus on achieving its geopolitical interests in the Middle East, Eurasia, and the Indian Ocean.
Measures taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE to diversify their economies are beginning to undermine pre-existing social contracts that hinge on the paterfamilias figure of the ruler, the tribal care of the state, and the preservation of cultural norms and citizen privileges.
The recent eruption of protests in Oman has highlighted the efficiency of dynamic citizen journalism, which utilized social media platforms to freely cover events and express opinions, in contrast to the shackled state-owned media, which appeared to be lagging and unable to provide accountable reporting of events.
The recent protests and the effects of the pandemic have emphasized the need to expedite structural economic reforms.
For years Raisi has been considered one of the three most promising candidates to succeed Khamenei. As president, Raisi is in prime position to succeed Khamenei.
As the Biden administration attempts to promote democracy and human rights in the Middle East, it will confront the deep-seated belief among Arabs that U.S. policies are unfair to their central causes and biased in favor of the ruling elite of their countries.
Houthi control of Ma’rib would not only remodel the balance of power on the ground but reframe ongoing peace processes too.
The regional competition revolving around Bab al-Mandab and its coastal extension is affecting the course of the war in Yemen.
The Sultanate of Oman’s policies toward women are inconsistent, not particularly progressive, and do not enjoy strong government support.