Select any text and click on the icon to listen!
ByGSpeech
ByGSpeechByGSpeech
The Gulf Research Center regularly publishes independent commentary and analysis on the most pressing issues impacting the Gulf region. Sign up for updates and to subscribe.
In recent years, relations between Central Asia (CA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have shown a steady and positive dynamic. The economic potential of the CA and GCC c ...
As the global order undergoes significant transformation, marked by the return of great power competition, regional multipolarity, and the rise of middle powers, new avenues ar ...
The first-ever EU-Central Asia summit that took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on April 3-4, 2025, represents an important moment in the relationship between the two blocs. Th ...
Since the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021, outright hesitancy among the country’s neighbors to build rapport with the new Afghan authorities has given way ...
On April 12, 2025, the United States and Iran embarked on a potentially pivotal diplomatic endeavor concerning reviving dialogue over Iran’s nuclear program, holding indirect b ...
The re-election of Daniel Noboa in Ecuador’s April 2025 presidential election marks a critical moment in the country’s turbulent political trajectory. At just 37 years old, Nob ...
The convergence of global commerce networks and important waterways has brought the importance of maritime security in ensuring international stability to the forefront. Due to ...
For more than 20 years, the idea of a comprehensive FTA between the EU and the GCC has remained elusive. Despite occasional bursts of diplomatic initiatives and upbeat rhetoric ...
Gulf states, notably Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, are redefining their global standing by pursuing ambitious national visions aimed at reducing oil dependence and expandin ...
As the European Union (EU) grapples with economic stagnation, bureaucratic inertia, and global strategic challenges, it could take a lesson from some select strategic approach ...
Introduction The United States and Saudi Arabia have maintained a complex and strategic partnership for decades, rooted in mutual interests such as energy security, regional st ...
The landscape of climate finance programming in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has been evolving in recent years, with these nations increasingly recognizing the ...
The resurgence of Donald Trump’s assertive foreign policy, particularly with regard to immigration, trade, and regional diplomacy, has placed a strain on the bilateral relation ...
US President Donald Trump’s warmer personal relationships with several Gulf Arab leaders, along with his penchant for big deals in foreign policy, should, in theory, serve US-G ...
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are no longer merely reactive participants in global affairs; they are shaping debates on reform and governance in an evolving multipo ...
Experts predict that the world’s urban population will double by 2050 as more and more people are flocking to the cities. The Arabian Gulf region is no exception, as tremendous ...
The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict has significantly altered the geopolitical landscape, with various actors attempting to influence its trajectory. Following a contentious me ...
Saudi Arabia is currently pursuing a dynamic foreign policy driven by economic diversification, regional stability, and global multi-alignment. As global power dynamics shift, ...
Qatar has established itself as an important diplomatic player, mediating key conflicts such as negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitating talks between the Taliban an ...
Amid a rapidly changing and unpredictable geopolitical landscape, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has undergone a recalibration of its foreign policy, including adopting a bold ‘mu ...
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is home to vast natural resources, including gold, cobalt, lithium, and coltan – all critical for global electronics and renewable en ...
Following the precipitous fall of the Assad dynasty, Russia, as Syria’s major ally, has grappled with a dilemma over how to retain its two major military bases on Syria’s Medit ...
Whether it be in Syria or Palestine, the political landscape of the Middle East has been witnessing dramatic changes over the past year. For the EU, this has meant a series of ...
1. Background and Impeachment As of February 3, 2025, South Korea has remained mired in significant political upheaval following the impeachment and arrest of President Yoon Su ...
In a scenario when Palestine’s survival is at stake, US President Donald Trump's daring proposal to "take over" Gaza has sent shockwaves through the international community. Th ...
While direct bilateral cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Denmark in enhancing regional security in the Middle East has historically been limited, recent developments in the ...
On December 8, 2024, the Assad regime collapsed following a swift offensive by opposition forces led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The rebels captured key cities, including A ...
The GCC states are on a mission to diversify their economies from oil reliance. The development of tourism plays a significant role in this regard also with regard to Africa. I ...
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2-1 ...
Shifting dynamics in the Middle East suggest a decline in Iran's regional influence. Tehran's grip has clearly weakened as actors that have depended on Iran’s support have been ...
Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup is yet another milestone in the Kingdom’s overall Vision 2030 agenda, aiming to diversify its economy and enhance ...
The Polish presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2025 could prove to be a watershed moment for the European Union and its worldwide partners, including the GCC. The ...
The EU is at a critical junction, faced with a slew of crises that jeopardize its prosperity, continuity, unity, and global influence. For years, the notion that the EU needs t ...
Joseph Borrell's term as the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ended on November 30, 2024. His tenure was characterized by major hurd ...
Central Asia is a strategically located, landlocked region that has experienced numerous security challenges over the past years. In addition, the geopolitical situation surro ...
Introduction In July 2004, the Gulf Research Center (GRC) established a dedicated research program on relations between the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ...
Violent extremism has plagued the Sahel region, stretching from Senegal to Eritrea, with threats emanating from groups like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates such as the Is ...
How the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency will impact Saudi-American relations is unclear, although his administration's distinct foreign policy priorities could s ...
INTRODUCTIONThe global order is increasingly defined by multipolarity, with various centers of power emerging, and the dominance of a few powers increasingly challenged. This m ...
The relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Caribbean nations has historically been characterized by limited interaction, overshadowed by closer ties wi ...
The Middle East remains at a crossroads, shapen by an intricate web of geopolitical challenges, unresolved conflicts, and shifting alliances. Among these, the Palestinian confl ...
President-elect Trump’s victory in the US elections has generated a wave of reactions. In the Gulf region, however, there is a certain degree of optimism about his second term. ...
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification’s (UNCCD) sixteenth session of the Conference of Parties (COP16) will convene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2-1 ...
After 25 years of negotiations, the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) remains one of the most polarizing trade deals in the current political paradigm. Encompassing over 7 ...
After two weeks of tense negotiations at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, countries failed to send a strong signal on the need to rapidly reduce ...
European Parliament's hearings for the 26 nominated commissioners took place from the 4th until the 12th of November in Brussels. These hearings are a critical process in shapi ...
The EU is at a turning point in its strategy towards Syria, especially as it considers a change to engagement with the Assad government. Discussions over the possible appointme ...
If President Donald Trump’s first term is any indication of the future trajectory of US-GCC relations, a certain degree of optimism in the outlook for his second term seems fit ...
In recent years, South Korea has sought to expand its influence in the Gulf region. Its active involvement is driven not by its alliance with the United States, but by its own ...
The 16th edition of the BRICS summit held from October 22 to 24, 2024, in Kazan, Russia, was focused on ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security. ...
As the Gulf region continues to gain more prominence in global diplomacy, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), both as a bloc and through its member states, has balanced its for ...
Russia and The Islamic Republic of Iran have announced the upcoming signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. Initially, the ceremony was meant to take place ...
The Challenge in African countries Africa has 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land. Agriculture accounts for 35% of Africa's GDP and employs more Africans than any other ...
Introduction In response to escalating threats and challenges to peace and security in numerous African states and regions, the Gulf states have emerged as significant actors i ...
As of 2022, oil and gas contributed to nearly 45% of the energy supply in Africa, making them critical for energy security; coal, hydropower and biowaste are also vital energy ...
Introduction Water is essential for all forms of life. Besides its importance for maintaining healthy ecosystems, it is a fundamental resource for human survival and socio-econ ...
Original piece was published in ISPI’s dossier titled “Bridging Continents: The Future of EU GCC Cooperation” by Aldo Liga and Chiara Lovotti on October 15th, 2024.Increased te ...
On October 16, 2024, the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will hold their first ever summit meeting at the heads of state level. It comes at a critica ...
It has become evident that Europe is grappling with an unprecedented security crisis. On the one hand, the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine and the human rights violations in Gaz ...
In response to the uncertain geopolitical regional and global environment, Riyadh has been adjusting its foreign policy to one based on ‘multi-alignment’ including reducing dep ...
Introduction The relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Sweden, which became more robust in the 1990s, has evolved further recently, driven by mutua ...
Water is undoubtedly the lifeline of our planet and the source from which ecological balance is maintained in order to sustain the lives of every plant, animal, and human on Ea ...
Having secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for President in August 2024, Kamala Harris, who has been Vice President of the United States under President Biden since 2021, ...
In June 2022, the EU Council of Ministers approved the Joint Communication of the European Union on a “Strategic Partnership with the Gulf,” marking the latest attempt to provi ...
Global crises ranging from climate change to humanitarian issues are a never-ending cause of concern and international organizations play a crucial role in addressing them. The ...
Conventional wisdom suggests that states constantly seek to maintain stability in their region to protect their national interests. This stability is necessary to prevent the s ...
The decades-long strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States has been marked by both deep and continued cooperation as well as occasional tensions, especi ...
Relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the European Union (EU) have witnessed remarkable development in recent years, especially in the intensificat ...
Africa holds a significant portion of the world’s mineral resources needed for the clean energy transition. The continent possesses about 85 percent of the world’s manganese, 8 ...
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), established by China, Russia, and the Central Asian states (except for Turkmenistan) in Shanghai in June 2001 is increasingly seen ...
As of 2022, China has successfully delivered an estimated US$261 billion in trade value, US$1.8 billion in FDI, and US$3.11 billion in foreign aid to various African countries. ...
Japan is traditionally aligned with the West in many areas. But it has also partnered with Iran at times, which places it in a unique position among G7 countries. It is, thus, ...
Since taking office in 2019, Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador, has undertaken a number of bold reforms aimed at re-positioning the country in the region and beyond. H ...
With the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2024, the nature and outlook for the i ...
Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council have each devised plans for shifting their economies away from oil reliance. This includes plans to prioritise clean and green ene ...
After weeks of speculation, President Joe Biden officially dropped out of the 2024 US presidential race, citing the move as “in the best interest of my party and the country,” ...
The inauguration of the Republic of Iran's newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on July 30th, 2024, marks a moment in regional politics with potential implications for G ...
Introduction June 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Given its two-decade existence, ...
As the global energy landscape shifts towards renewable sources, lithium has become crucial, especially for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Discovered in 1817 on the Swedis ...
In a move brokered by China, Fatah and Hamas endorsed a unified government for the West Bank and Gaza by signing a declaration agreement to form an interim 'national reconcilia ...
Relations between Norway and the GCC countries are poised for an era of growth and cooperation. In recent years, Norway has demonstrated a rising interest in the Gulf states, r ...
More than a year has passed since the announcement of the restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Canada in May 2023. This restoration, based on “mutual respect and common ...
The helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and six other passengers and crew on May 19, 2024 is unlikel ...
Original piece was published in ISPI’s dossier titled ‘Investing Eastward: The Gulf’s Strategic Partnerships in Asia’ by Chiara Lovotti on June 18th, 2024.Gulf investments in C ...
The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) celebrated the 20th year of its establishment and hosted its 10th ministerial meeting in Beijing on May 30, 2024. Leaders and mi ...
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to move forward in diversifying its economy, fostering national pride, and contributing to the overall well-being of its citizens. A parti ...
Background Saudi Arabia and Japan have enjoyed a robust and evolving relationship since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955. The foundation of this relatio ...
The Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) are getting more outspoken on environmental issues and after successful hosting Climate talks COP28 in Dubai which was a major success for ...
Introduction The United Nations is a governing body that was designed to be in constant motion—to address the needs of the international community in the context of rising issu ...
The relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Latin America, encompassing 41 countries and territories from Mexico to Argentina and including the Ca ...
On April 10, 2024, the European Parliament passed the EU’s new Pact on Asylum and Migration, the first major reform to the entrance procedures for migrants and asylum seekers a ...
Since the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia and Iran have maintained an ambivalent relationship. Their cooperation over the years has covered ...
The release of the document entitled “Vision of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Regional Security” in March 2024 represents an important and long overdue addition to the ...
The relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is shaped by geopolitical, economic, and strategic interests. Centr ...
GCC-EU relations are in general on a positive trajectory. The points of contact between the two sides have intensified markedly in recent years at both the governmental and ins ...
As the Kingdom’s cultural scene continues to expand, the Saudi Ministry of Culture has focused on promoting international exchange and dialogue as part of its strategic goals u ...
The relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Lithuania can be characterized as being in a state of growth and development. While the GCC states have historic ...
In August 2016, the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy in recognition of a number of serious challenges facing ...
The security of the Red Sea shipping corridor is not merely a concern for nations with direct interests in the region but a responsibility that increasingly extends across the ...
The recent G20 meeting in São Paulo, Brazil, convened by Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of member countries on February 28 and 29, tackled pressing global economi ...
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims involves one refraining from food and drink from dawn to dusk, as well as turning their attention to prayer, charity, helpi ...
February 24, 2024, marked the two year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With the conflict moving into its third year, stress over the current international order, p ...
After the restoration of Saudi-Iranian ties one year ago, on March 10, 2023, through the Chinabrokered rapprochement agreement, the region and the international community have ...
While diplomatic ties between the GCC states and Latvia were established in the 1990s and 2000s, they have not yet been effectively developed. However, the geopolitical changes ...
Strategic Priorities for Saudi Arabia’s Foreign PolicySaudi Arabia is garnering attention for its increasingly robust foreign policy, which is characterized by the country's em ...
On February 7, 2024, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his fifth visit to the Middle East since the events of October 7th, in an attempt to push forward a propos ...
In 2011, Mali was considered one of the most successful examples of democracy in Africa, despite experiencing a long-standing governance crisis linked to corruption and transna ...
Recent steps could prove useful for wider EU-GCC collaboration
The 27 EU member states are set to approve plans for a military mission to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea when EU foreign ministers give their final seal of approval ...
The relationship between Israel and Palestine is deeply rooted in a complex history of territorial disputes and competing national aspirations, embedded with religious signific ...
Climate change is an emerging global threat. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human activities have caused an increase in global temperatures ...
On January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave its provisional ruling in the case filed by South Africa (SA) against Israel, where South Africa brought clai ...
Since November 2023, the Houthis have conducted at least 33 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea that it claims are connected to Israel or headed for Israeli ports. They ...
As an emerging global power, Brazil has historically strived for a leadership role, occasionally entangling itself in tensions with the United States and delicately managing re ...
The Saudi-Africa Summit held in November 2023 reflected the continued commitments the Kingdom has maintained to African countries. 50 African leaders and senior government offi ...
Introduction On December 13, 2023, the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) concluded with a historic agreement on transitioning away from fossil f ...
The geopolitical landscape of the 21st century is witnessing a potential transformative shift, with emerging powers challenging the dominance of traditional global powers. In t ...
Three months after the horrendous events of October 7, the death toll in Gaza continues to mount daily. The humanitarian crisis has been called “unprecedented” and will have la ...
The crisis in Gaza continues unabated. There have already been more than 20,000 deaths–1,200 on the Israeli side and more than 22,000 on the Palestinian side as of January 1, 2 ...
Introduction For decades, the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have been well known for their high spending on arms imports, prompted by concerns about Iran’s r ...
The war between Israel and Hamas risks evolving into a larger regional conflict, potentially involving Iran and Hezbollah. More importantly, the ongoing hostilities could have ...
Relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Iceland remain quite underdeveloped although Iceland, a Nordic Island country, is receiving greater degrees o ...
This paper aims to provide an overview of the diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between Finland and the GCC member states by exploring the historical context, curren ...
Attended by more than 97,000 participants, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai came to an end on December 13, 2023. The two-week international cl ...
In an era characterized by globalization and interconnectivity, regional partnerships have emerged as pivotal drivers of economic growth, political stability, and cultural exch ...
Javier Milei's recent election as Argentina's president signifies a profound shift in the nation's political landscape. As the leader of the ultraliberal "La Libertad Avanza" c ...
In 2022, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) reached a historic decision to establish a Loss and Damage Fund (LDF). According to the United Nations Environment ...
The Doha Agreement of 2020 was the result of Qatar-mediated negotiations between the United States and leaders of the Taliban. It led to an agreement on the withdrawal of U.S. ...
Outside of most of the Western world, the international community is largely unified in its call for a ceasefire and an end to military operations as far as the current violenc ...
The EU’s general negotiating position for the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), set to take place in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023, was publis ...
The establishment of diplomatic relations between the GCC countries and Estonia dates back to the early 1990s, following Estonia’s independence from the Soviet Union. Since the ...
Destruction in Gaza, October 2023 Source: ABC News One overlooked issue in the current crisis in the Gaza Strip is its devastating environmental toll. The cost and impact of t ...
UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the signing of the UAE-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Jul ...
Nagorno-Karabakh, September 2023 Source: Arab News The sudden military operation by Azerbaijan on September 19, 2023, led to the surrender of the truncated Nagorno-Karabakh e ...
MENA Climate Week in Riyadh, October 2023 Source: Al Arabiya The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023, ...
1. IntroductionThe Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Its air and ecosystems are subjected to desertificatio ...
Destruction in Gaza, October 2023, Source: CNNJust one month ago, there was hope for peace in Palestine through the Saudi-US-Israel talks. In his recent interview with Fox News ...
On September 9 and 10, 2023, the 18th G20 Summit was held in New Delhi, hosted by India as holder of the G20 Presidency. The 2023 G20 Summit marked a critical juncture in globa ...
Relations between Denmark and the GCC countries have existed for some time. Though tested at times, particularly following the Cartoon Controversy, Denmark has stated that it ...
During a period of renewed diplomacy between the US and Iran over the latter’s nuclear programme, wider concerns about nuclear proliferation, nuclear safety, security risks li ...
IntroductionGreen hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a key player in the global drive towards decarbonization, presenting an advantageous opportunity for GCC countries thanks to ...
In April 2016, Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 not only to diversify its economy away fromoil but also to implement changes that would enhance its citizens’ and residents ...
Saudi Arabia’s growing role in international diplomacy was again highlighted after the Kingdom hosted the Ukraine peace talks among senior officials from around 40 countries in ...
The announcement in late August 2023 that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were among the six nations joining an expanded Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Afric ...
Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states face several shared environmental challenges. These include primarily 1) climate change 2) water scarcity 3) dust storms 4) biodi ...
COP28 will be held between November 30 and December 12, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, this year’s COP serves as a midway ...
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Türkiye’s President in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 2023 Source: Arab News In July 2023, the Gulf Research Center published its Annual Strategic ...
IntroductionIn recent months, Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to push for the security, stability, and economic prosperity of the Arab region: the Kingdom instigated m ...
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) established a dedicated research program on relations between the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which include Saudi Arabia ...
Source: UNFCCC Flickr AC https://www.flickr.com/photos/unfccc/52954798526/in/album-72177720308836911/ Ahead of COP28, the preparatory talks in Bonn (5-15 June 2023) were a “ch ...
Image from Arab NewsIn recent weeks, a Danish far-right politician and Iraqi exile in Sweden have burned copies of the Holy Quran in both Denmark and Sweden at numerous events ...
Gulf diplomacy was on full display during the week of June 16 to 23. While Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan paid the Kingdom’s first visit to Tehran since 200 ...
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Tehran on Saturday, June 17, 2023, marking the first visit of a Saudi official to Iran in y ...
Votes have been counted in Turkey’s 2023 presidential election run-off between the incumbent President Erdoğan, under the banner of the AKP (Justice and Development Party), a ...
While the decades-long strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US has hit a few bumps recently, bilateral ties appear to be back on track, with the US putting in t ...
GLOBAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY SCENARIOCircular economy (CE) is recognized globally as a new model of economic development based on more efficient utilization of resources across th ...
Arab leaders and officials met in Jeddah as Saudi Arabia hosted the 32nd Arab League Summit on May 19, 2023, where for the first time in more than a decade, representatives o ...
IntroductionThe majority of West Asian countries are characterized by extreme arid climates, sparse natural vegetation, and fragile soil conditions. The region comprises main ...
Every year on April 22 the world demonstrates support for the environment by observing Earth Day. It is one of the main international environmental occasions that is aimed a ...
IntroductionSyria has spent more than a decade under U.S.-led sanctions and yet there is a growing realization that the United States and Arab Gulf states’ policies aimed ...
IntroductionIn response to the changing geopolitical landscape, the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have each launched their own version of a long-term national v ...
(Source: China Daily/Reuters, 2023)The announcement of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran on Marc ...
Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), recently stated that “the short-term risk landscape is dominated by energy, food, debt, and disasters.” What ...
At the 33rd Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress held in Manama, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which is widely regarded as ...
On October 2, 2022, Brazil held the first round of its general elections, in which no candidate received more than half of the valid votes. As a result, a second round was he ...
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 grabbed the world's attention and led to a reexamination of global security arrangements. The Gulf region found itself expose ...
Introduction The war in Ukraine, which began on 24 February 2022 with a full-scale Russian attack on multiple Ukrainian cities, labelled a “special operation” by the Kre ...
Saudi Arabia and Japan enjoy a strong relationship and have supported each other through many tumultuous developments since they established diplomatic relations in 1955. Th ...
The attack on the oil tanker Pacific Zircon off the coast of Oman in November 2022 once again highlighted the precarious situation of maritime security around the waters of the ...
After a volatile year in 2022, many countries have begun safeguarding or restructuring their economic and energy policies. For Saudi Arabia, this has also meant continuing to ...
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can be characterized as a punctuated end to Pax Europaea. As a result, European countries find themselves in the middle of what German Chancello ...
Introduction Qatar has been at the forefront of media in recent months over the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The first Arab country to host a World Cup has been cri ...
President Xi Jinping just concluded his first visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in six years, at the China-Arab Summit in Riyadh. As part of efforts to boost China's relat ...
The 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) concluded on Sunday morning in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The annual climate talks brought together more than 40,000 pa ...
IntroductionOver the past few years, sports has been at the forefront of politics. Under Saudi Vision 2030, sports is identified as one of the critical pillars of the Quality ...
Energy has been at the forefront of the decades-long relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States. Their close cooperation and engagement on energy and energy-rela ...
Much of the stability of Japan's national energy supplies depends on continuous oil trading between Japan and the Gulf States. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and ...
Qatar has effectively been using sports to bring about positive change at different levels domestically and regionally. Currently, Qatar is ranked among the top 20 countries ...
2020 marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and China. Over the past three decades, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has ...
Overview and IntroductionThe Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), was established on May 25, 1981, in Abu Dh ...
Germany and Europe are re-discovering the importance of the Gulf region. This is not solely because of the Russian attack on Ukraine, which has confronted Europe with a war o ...
Image from Saudi Gazette Following several years of ups and downs in the relationship between Riyadh and Washington, President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia ...
IntroductionSaudi Arabia is currently undergoing a massive socio-economic transformation at a rapid pace. This process of economic, legal, and social reforms began with the ...
IntroductionAs the world’s largest exporter of crude oil and an undeniable financial powerhouse, Saudi Arabia maintains an important position within the Arab world (US Energy ...
IntroductionWhile the concept of sports diplomacy is nothing new, the research of sports as a tool of soft power both in the Gulf states and internationally remains exceeding ...
IntroductionYemen continues to face several structural challenges on a humanitarian, security, and economic level. Several interlinked factors have added to the complexity of ...
Ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran have been characterized by perennial tensions that have shaped the recent history of the Middle East.The rivalry between these two countrie ...
Iraq’s relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has been tumultuous over the past decades, marked by highs and lows. Several factors such as the Iraqi ...
Energy has been a cornerstone of the decades-long relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States. Over this period, the US assisted in ...
Within the last decade, women in the GCC states emerged as significant athletes, taking prominent strides across sporting arenas, both regionally and internationally. The 201 ...
The year 2022 has so far witnessed positive developments as far as the relations between the European Union ( and the Gulf Cooperation Council ( is concerned. In January, GCC S ...
Saudi Arabia has historically maintained positive bilateral relations across the African continent and continues to enjoy political/economic relations across the Sub-S ...
The U.S.-Saudi relationship is currently undergoing a mutual “recalibration” process. From Saudi Arabia’s perspective, there continues to be increased wariness and doubts abo ...
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) held a webinar focused on the fragile security environment in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, and the Southern Red Sea. Dr. Chris ...
The war in Ukraine has been going on for almost three weeks, and its effects have been felt worldwide. For the Middle East and the Gulf, the conflict comes at a time when the ...
Conceptualising the ideaThink Tanks play an important role in taking a step back and looking at a problem from a variety of angles. A major part of our work at the Gulf Researc ...
On February 20th 2022, Africa’s largest Dam project, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) began generating electricity for Ethiopia at a current operational capacity of 3 ...
U.S.-Saudi relations are currently undergoing a fundamental re-evaluation, which has implications for the broader strategic orientation of both countries when it comes to the ...
The five-day visit in January 2022 of the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, as well as the GCC Secretary General to China was unprecedented in na ...
Webinar Summary On January 12, 2022, the Gulf Research Center held a webinar discussion on the topic of “Green Mobility in the GCC: Opportunities and Challenges.” The o ...
Current efforts to bring back to life the Joint Comprehensive Plan for Action (JCPOA) in Vienna are clouded in uncertainty. The current drawn-out negotiation process alongsid ...
Saudi Arabia continues to view Iran as its main strategic challenge in the region. This applies both to the bilateral relationship and the wider Middle East regional theatre wh ...
Over the last five years, the Saudi government has installed a range of reform initiatives under the Vision 2030 plan to develop a sustainable diverse economy by leveraging the ...
The focus on the webinar was on the main outcome of the Climate talks in Glasgow in November 2021 and its implications for the next two COP Meetings which will in fact be held ...
Ukraine-Saudi Arabia Relations: Challenges and Prospects for Further CooperationUkraine and Saudi Arabia share friendly relations that have been developing since 1991 whe ...
Ever since the Arab Spring, it became clear that the primary battleground in the region is not between Arabs and Israel but between regimes and their people, or more so betwe ...
In May 2021, the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) celebrate the 40th anniversary since its establishment. Throughout the decades, the governments of the GCC ...
On May 17,2021, France held a conference of Heads of State and Government in Paris, chaired by Emmanuel Macron, in support of Sudan’s democratic transition. The conference i ...
1. Introduction SaudiArabia and India share friendly relations reflecting historical economic and socio-cultural ties. Diplomatic ties were initially est ...
Climate change poses many significant threats to the security and stability of not just any particular region (though some are at a more immediate risk than others) but to th ...
Given the territorial proximity, the regional actors of the Middle East have always been interested in Georgia and the South Caucasus as an opening route to Europe. Since th ...
Saudi-Russian relations date back to 1932 when the former USSR became one of the first countries that formally recognized and established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arab ...
With the informal boycott of Turkish products and business ties in October 2020, Saudi-Turkish relations are taking another hit, causing economic damage in Turkey and leavin ...
On the 21st of January 2021, world leaders welcomed the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, Joseph Biden. The period between the election results and the ...
Relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Europe in 2020 continue to be marked by difficulties from both sides. For Europe, Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the ...
A focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a case study amongst the Gulf countries underlines how it has come a long way in the past century – the United Nations in 2010 recog ...
Introduction The significance of the U.S. election on a global level cannot be understated as the U.S. alone controls approximately 25% of world GDP, retains the ...
Imagine that your country has an opponent or even a friend who does not fully agree with the established policies of your government. He is technologically well-positioned a ...
On October 28, 2020, the Gulf Research Center invited a group of six distinguished panelists to participate in a digital roundtable discussion to address the issue of the fut ...
In mid-2019 the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) were appointed co-hosts of ...
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has affected diplomatic operations across the world. More focus has been shifted to the diplomatic management of the Covid-19 crisis. F ...
Background:On October 14, 2020, the Saudi Foreign Minister visited the United States to launch the two nations' strategic dialogue, which serves to strengthen the long-stand ...
Europeans face a conundrum in Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean. On the one hand, they are called on to respond to what they view as Turkey’s violations of international l ...
On September 28, 2020, the Gulf Research Center invited a group of nine renowned energy experts from seven different countries to participate in a webinar with the goal of an ...
On June 8, 2018, Germany was elected as a member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2019-2020 period. During this two-year term, Germany also held the Presidency ...
The United Nations continues to champion multilateralism. Yet because the future of the multilateral order stands in jeopardy in the wake of criticism that international orga ...
The 45-year-old Safer Floating Tank, which is a neglected floating oil storage vessel loaded with approximately 1.1 million barrels of crude oil is anchored about 60km north ...
The outset of COVID-19 and its impact on the G20 processAs one of its primary responsibilities upon assuming the Group of 20 (G20) presidency in December 2019, Saudi Arabia ...
As an alternative to the U.S. security umbrella, China envisages a broadening of security arrangements in the Gulf region with the backing of Russia, based on a collective s ...
