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Analysis

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In Washington, Mohammed bin Salman Aims to Elevate Defense Ties

Saudi leaders are seeking bilateral deals that advance the Saudi-U.S. relationship without the need for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Aziz Alghashian

8 min read

President Donald J. Trump speaks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

LNG Heavyweights Qatar and U.S. Take Aim at EU Directive

Without mutual recognition mechanisms, Gulf exporters may face higher compliance costs and potential exclusion from European markets despite genuine emission-reduction efforts.

Kate Dourian

7 min read

Four Priorities for Mohammed bin Salman in Washington

When the Saudi crown prince meets President Trump in Washington, the main topics of discussion are likely to be commercial deals, a defense pact, a Saudi civilian nuclear program, and normalization with Israel.

10 min read

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman listens during his meeting with President Donald J. Trump on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Mr. Sharaa Goes to Washington

While the Syrian president is the one coming to Washington, he and President Trump each have flipped the script, surprising skeptics with bold action and fresh approaches, opening a desperately needed conversation on Syria.

President Donald J. Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS)

Iraqi Elections and a Water Crisis

The November 12 edition of the Iran Media Review examines Iranian commentary on the upcoming elections in Iraq and Tehran’s water shortage.

Ali Alfoneh

6 min read

Iraqi Elections and a Water Crisis

Foreign Minister Araghchi: Negotiations With the U.S. Not a “Positive Experience”

The November 7 edition of the Iran Media Review analyzes an address by the Iranian foreign minister about past negotiations with the United States.

Ali Alfoneh

4 min read

Foreign Minister Araghchi: Negotiations With the U.S. Not a “Positive Experience”

Foreign Minister Araghchi on Future Negotiations With the United States

The November 4 edition of the Iran Media Review examines comments by Iran’s foreign minister about the United States’ “unreasonable demands” on Iran.

Ali Alfoneh

3 min read

Foreign Minister Araghchi on Future Negotiations With the United States

Iran: Bleak Economic “Future” Prospects

The October 31 edition of the Iran Media Review considers a report addressing the fragility of Iran’s state-linked financial sector.

Ali Alfoneh

2 min read

Iran: Bleak Economic “Future” Prospects

The IMF Comments on the Saudi Economy and Policy Framework

The International Monetary Fund continues to endorse the direction of economic reform in Saudi Arabia but notes that risks from oil price uncertainty and strong credit growth will need to be carefully managed to keep the economy on a strong growth trajectory.

Tim Callen

4 min read

The IMF Comments on the Saudi Economy and Policy Framework

Saudi Current Account in Deficit in 2024 Despite High Oil Prices

The Saudi current account moved into a small deficit in 2024 despite oil prices of $80 per barrel. A return to a surplus is unlikely unless oil revenue moves sharply higher.

Tim Callen

4 min read

Saudi Current Account in Deficit in 2024 Despite High Oil Prices

What Do Lower Oil Prices Mean for the Saudi Budget?

The sharp drop in oil prices over the past week will result in a larger budget deficit and more government borrowing.

Tim Callen

4 min read

What Do Lower Oil Prices Mean for the Saudi Budget?

Positive Momentum Continues in the Saudi Labor Market

Robust growth in the non-oil economy and ongoing reforms are driving increased employment and labor force participation rates and lower unemployment among Saudi nationals.

Tim Callen

2 min read

Positive Momentum Continues in the Saudi Labor Market

Ammar Alsabban: Superman With a Saudi Accent

With passions as diverse as puppetry, podcasting, and superheroes, Ammar Alsabban is redefining the creative limits of Saudi identity.

Sean Foley

14 min read

Ammar Alsabban. (Courtesy of Ammar Alsabban)

Rahina: A Jeweler’s Ode to Dhofari Heritage

Through Rahina, Fatma al-Najjar is exploring her Dhofari heritage and tapping into ancestral memories, one piece of jewelry at a time.

10 min read

Rahina necklaces made by Fatma al-Najjar. (Photo courtesy of Fatma al-Najjar)

Independent Researchers Are Advancing UAE History on Social Media

Independent researchers and informal collaboratives have been connecting through social media to fill in gaps in popular knowledge of the United Arab Emirates’ pre-state era.

Abdulla Almarzooqi

20 min read

A view of downtown Abu Dhabi. (Credit: Abdulla Almarzooqi)

Manama Story: Preserving the Soul of the City

The Manama Story project seeks to preserve the history of the Bahraini city, one archive at a time.

Shifaa Alsairafi

8 min read

A view of the "Soul of Manama" exhibit. (Credit: Fadhel al-Sharaf)

A New Gulf Partnership

In May, President Donald J. Trump embarked on a trip to the Gulf that signals a new era in U.S.-Gulf relations. AGSI's A New Gulf Partnership series explores the ways U.S. strategic relations with these countries are evolving and offers policy recommendations for the U.S. administration to maximize political and economic influence.

President Donald J. Trump is welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Energy and Climate Initiative

AGSIW’s Energy and Climate Initiative explores Gulf energy and climate policies, technological advances, and pressing political, social, and environmental issues ahead of COP28.

'Cop28 UAE' logo is displayed on the screen during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week under the theme of 'United on Climate Action Toward COP28,' in Abu Dhabi, UAE, January 16. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhana)

U.S. Presidential Election

AGSIW’s U.S. Presidential Election series explores Gulf perspectives on the 2024 election and considers how the election results may shape the future of U.S. engagement in the Gulf region.

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris take part in a presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 10, 2024 in a combination of file photographs. REUTERS/Brian Snyder - RC22Y9AP0PX3

Trees of the Gulf

This series looks at the vital role certain trees play in the region's collective memory, survival, and plans for the future.

A worker collects dates from a palm tree during Unaizah Season for Dates, capital of Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia August 15, 2020. (REUTERS /Ahmed Yosri)

All Analysis

CLEAR ALL

In Washington, Mohammed bin Salman Aims to Elevate Defense Ties

Saudi leaders are seeking bilateral deals that advance the Saudi-U.S. relationship without the need for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Aziz Alghashian

8 min read

President Donald J. Trump speaks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 13. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

LNG Heavyweights Qatar and U.S. Take Aim at EU Directive

Without mutual recognition mechanisms, Gulf exporters may face higher compliance costs and potential exclusion from European markets despite genuine emission-reduction efforts.

Kate Dourian

7 min read

Four Priorities for Mohammed bin Salman in Washington

When the Saudi crown prince meets President Trump in Washington, the main topics of discussion are likely to be commercial deals, a defense pact, a Saudi civilian nuclear program, and normalization with Israel.

10 min read

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman listens during his meeting with President Donald J. Trump on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Mr. Sharaa Goes to Washington

While the Syrian president is the one coming to Washington, he and President Trump each have flipped the script, surprising skeptics with bold action and fresh approaches, opening a desperately needed conversation on Syria.

President Donald J. Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 14. (Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS)

A Pact for a Pact? Mohammed bin Salman Brings His Terms to Trump’s Washington

The crown prince’s visit aims to advance the massive economic partnership pledged during President Trump's May trip.

Gulf Exporters Monitor Impact of Russian Oil Sanctions

A decision by President Trump to bring the hammer down on Rosneft and Lukoil could be just what the doctor ordered for Gulf oil exporters.

Ben Cahill

9 min read

A view of reservoirs of Russian state-controlled oil giant OAO Rosneft, at Priobskoye oil field near Nefteyugansk, in western Siberia, Russia, April 5, 2006. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, File)