Gulf states

Research examines the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with a focus on the evolving social contract, economic development, geopolitics and security.

The six monarchies of the GCC have focused in recent years on increasing their economic, geopolitical and soft power in the region, including through national visions geared towards economic diversification. However, they continue to face challenges including demographic stagnation, regional instability and climate change, in addition to ongoing debates around political freedoms and human rights.

Research examines the dynamics of internal political, social and economic changes, and GCC states’ evolving roles in the region. Key areas of focus also include the Gulf’s ties with international powers, security dynamics and intra-GCC relations.

Any security deal would have significant implications for both countries and the Middle East. It deserves more serious attention than it has received so far.

Beijing’s diplomatic activism shows it is worried Iran–Israel tit-for-tat may undermine Saudi–Iran reconciliation.

Open access

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE may demand greater Palestinian concessions in exchange for normalizing relations with Israel, writes Christina Paschyn.

Regional players have spent the last five years finding pragmatic solutions to end conflict and forge connections. Now they must address the issue they have sought to avoid.

Israel hopes the corridor announced at the G20 will facilitate normalized relations with Saudi Arabia. Riyadh doesn’t see it that way.

Explainers

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Examining the short-term and medium-term economic impact of the Ukraine invasion on the Middle East region, especially in oil production.

Discussing whether we are witnessing the demise of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the US’s potential role in brokering an agreement, and what might happen in the lead up to Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Women are critical to not only helping their countries achieve the goals of each vision, but also playing an instrumental role in transforming national economies and beyond.

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Open access

The informal group of emerging markets may lack coherence, but ending the dollar’s dominance has become a theme – and digital currency innovations offer interesting possibilities, writes David Lubin.

The strikes demonstrated a more assertive approach from Tehran, but the region’s security now depends on Israel’s ability to play a longer game.

The risk of regional escalation means that the Gulf Arab states should do more to push for a ceasefire, not only for humanitarian reasons, but for their economic self-interest.

Calls for a ceasefire have yet to yield results. Those in the region must prioritize a political settlement.

With a COP28 deal to transition away from fossil fuels, speeding up the energy transition and economic diversification will help Gulf countries protect the needs of future generations and avoid costly consequences of delayed action.

In this bonus episode of our weekly podcast we discuss the crisis in Gaza at the Doha Forum.

The UAE Consensus is both groundbreaking in scope, and insufficient for the most climate vulnerable groups. Now countries must prepare ambitious new national climate plans to build on the agreement.

In spite of its diplomatic activism, Ankara is careful that its role will not overshadow that of the Arab Gulf states

The latest episode of our weekly podcast discusses the ambitions for the COP28 summit in Dubai.

An agreement would represent an important victory in the run up to 2024 elections. But Biden must take the time needed to build durable bipartisan support.

A historic opportunity exists to promote multilateral cooperation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, building on recent political de-escalation. With the right design, a new forum could succeed where previous initiatives have failed.

Senior officials of Saudi Arabia and Iran gather to announce resumption of bilateral ties in Beijing, March 2023

Member content

Due to worsening Sino-US relations and tightening EU markets, Beijing is hoping for a better reception in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, writes Yu Jie.

As dust storms in the Middle East become increasingly frequent and intense, adversaries must cooperate to address the causes.

Member content

It was meant to prompt a reconsideration of LGBTQ Qataris. Instead, international coverage of the tournament entrenched local distrust, writes Christina Paschyn.

Episode 27 of our weekly podcast examines the Syrian regime with signs that governments in the Middle East are prepared to engage with Bashar al-Assad again.

Demonstrations in central Tunis against Tunisia's president President Kais Saied, who opponents claim is aiming to install a new dictatorship in the birthplace of the Arab Spring. Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images.

The future of the region is still up for grabs. It will be up to those who believe in democracy and progress to seize it.

By disseminating narratives of its own supremacy, China deepened relations with the Gulf during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countries across the Middle East have engaged in an unprecedented pattern of reconciliation to protect their interests amid fluctuations in the international order. But without deliberate international support, these new ties can easily unravel.

More cohesive international engagement is needed to support stability in Ethiopia and Sudan and resolve damaging cross-border disputes that jeopardize security and development across the Horn of Africa.

With consistent and long-term support from the US, the Abraham Accords could have a transformative impact on Middle East economic cooperation and regional security.

Examining the crossover between water security and climate change with the next two COPs taking place in regions with a history of being water stressed.

In the third of a series of interviews with the Queen Elizabeth II Academy faculty, Alex Cooley examines the challenges of reigning in kleptocratic networks.

The consent by the Saudi leadership to consult the US on global oil market issues is a sign Riyadh is playing its own game. Moscow’s interests are not a factor.

The US president was focused on repairing ties with traditional regional partners, but he also aimed to redefine the contours of future US regional cooperation.

A new podcast series explores the shifting political dynamics of the Arab world.

Examining the short-term and medium-term economic impact of the Ukraine invasion on the Middle East region, especially in oil production.

The Gulf states’ reluctance to pump more oil to help those too reliant on Russia is about more than a desire to strike out against the Biden administration.

South of Russia, from Syria to Israel, there exists a variety of complex perspectives on Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

The UK has axed its Middle East and North Africa minister. This will leave the Foreign Office stretched thin and constrain Britain’s global influence.

Experiences from the MENA region show that successful energy subsidy reforms must focus strongly on mitigating social impacts.

Latest event recordings

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This event will discuss how the ongoing Gaza war is impacting the region and the role external actors can play to support de-escalation.

Anne Applebaum and Chatham House experts explore how autocratic regimes operate and their threat to democracy.

Experts discuss how Gulf countries are responding to regional volatility and global challenges.

Yemen experts and policymakers will discuss the impact and trajectory of the instability in the Red Sea followed by an interview with General Tareq Saleh, Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).

Yemeni and international policymakers and experts discuss prospects for peace in Yemen.

A conference where analysts and experts reflect on their experiences and lessons learned from a decade of upheaval and contention in the region since the Arab Spring.