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AGSI x Culture Summit: A New World History: Nonhuman Perspectives in Gulf Art

On April 29, AGSI will convene a session on alternative histories in art at Culture Summit Abu Dhabi.

(Image courtesy of Saad Alsharrah)

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
Abdulla Almarzooqi

18 min read

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

Exploring Oman’s History, Culture, and Cuisine: A Conversation With Chef Dina Macki

In her latest book, Bahari, meaning “ocean” in Swahili, chef Dina Macki embarks on a culinary exploration of the rich flavors and history of Omani cuisine, a food culture shaped by boundless coastlines and complex maritime history, with origins and influences spanning Pakistan, Iran, India, the Swahili coast, and Portugal.  An Omani Zanzibari chef who...

Visitors buy frankincense at Al Haffa souq, in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 5, 2024. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhana)

And All That Is In Between: Centering Community at the Islamic Arts Biennale

Contemporary commissions at the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 highlight young creatives from the region and beyond underscoring community, care, and spirituality.

Nada Ammagui

12 min read

Diriyah Art Futures Reflects Growing Saudi Investment in Digital Art

Part of the $62 billion Diriyah gigaproject, the new Diriyah Art Futures institute expands the genre of digital art.

Apr 29, 2025

AGSI x Culture Summit: A New World History: Nonhuman Perspectives in Gulf Art

On April 29, AGSI will convene a session on alternative histories in art at Culture Summit Abu Dhabi.

(Image courtesy of Saad Alsharrah)
(Image courtesy of Saad Alsharrah)

Mar 26, 2025

Exploring Oman’s History, Culture, and Cuisine: A Conversation With Chef Dina Macki

In her latest book, Bahari, meaning “ocean” in Swahili, chef Dina Macki embarks on a culinary exploration of the rich flavors and history of Omani cuisine, a food culture shaped by boundless coastlines and complex maritime history, with origins and influences spanning Pakistan, Iran, India, the Swahili coast, and Portugal.  An Omani Zanzibari chef who...

Visitors buy frankincense at Al Haffa souq, in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 5, 2024. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhana)
Visitors buy frankincense, which is produced by Wadi Dawkah's trees and historically used to power trade routes beyond the Arabian Peninsula, at Al Haffa souq, in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 5, 2024. Frankincense remains a vital aspect of Omani culture, used in religious rites, incense, and perfumes. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

Dec 3, 2024

Book Talk: The Development of An Art History in the UAE

On December 3, AGSIW hosted a discussion on contemporary art in the United Arab Emirates.

Shaikha Al Mazrou, ‘Circuit Boards’, 2011. Mixed media. (Courtesy of the artist and the Lawrie Shabibi Gallery, Dubai)
Shaikha Al Mazrou, ‘Circuit Boards’, 2011. Mixed media. (Courtesy of the artist and the Lawrie Shabibi Gallery, Dubai)

Oct 18, 2024

Book Talk: Gulf Women’s Lives: Voice, Space, Place

On October 18, AGSIW hosted a discussion on the lives of Gulf women, exploring how Gulf women negotiate spaces through their writing and focusing on women’s narratives.

Women talk during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 12, 2023. (REUTERS/Amr Alfiky)
Women talk during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 12, 2023. (REUTERS/Amr Alfiky)

Oct 2, 2024

Book Talk: Saudi Youth: Policies and Practices

On October 2, AGSIW hosted a discussion on Saudi youth policy development.

Women sit among men in a newly opened cafe in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, August 2, 2019. (REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed)
Women sit among men in a newly opened cafe in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, August 2, 2019. (REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed)

May 15, 2025

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Will Trump’s Visit Mark a New Chapter in U.S.-Saudi Relations?

On May 15, AGSI will host a discussion on Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS)

May 8, 2025

From Petrodollar Partners to Geo-Economic Rivals? Washington and the Arab Gulf States

On May 8, AGSIW hosted a discussion on how U.S. geoeconomic policy is reshaping ties with Gulf states.

President Donald J. Trump shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's then deputy crown prince and defense minister, Mohammed bin Salman, during a bilateral meeting, in Riyadh, May 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
President Donald J. Trump shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's then deputy crown prince and defense minister, Mohammed bin Salman, during a bilateral meeting, in Riyadh, May 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Apr 29, 2025

The Real Deal? Are Washington and Tehran Closer to a Compromise?

On April 29, AGSI hosted a discussion on the U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi prior to negotiations with Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)
In this photo released by Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, meets his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi prior to negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

Apr 22, 2025

A Conversation With Ambassador Michael Ratney

On April 22, AGSI hosted a conversation with Michael Ratney, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Michael Ratney delivers remarks at the luncheon. (Credit: AGSIW)
Ambassador Michael Ratney delivers remarks at AGSIW luncheon, April 22. (Credit: AGSIW)

Mar 26, 2025

Exploring Oman’s History, Culture, and Cuisine: A Conversation With Chef Dina Macki

In her latest book, Bahari, meaning “ocean” in Swahili, chef Dina Macki embarks on a culinary exploration of the rich flavors and history of Omani cuisine, a food culture shaped by boundless coastlines and complex maritime history, with origins and influences spanning Pakistan, Iran, India, the Swahili coast, and Portugal.  An Omani Zanzibari chef who...

Visitors buy frankincense at Al Haffa souq, in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 5, 2024. (REUTERS/Rula Rouhana)
Visitors buy frankincense, which is produced by Wadi Dawkah's trees and historically used to power trade routes beyond the Arabian Peninsula, at Al Haffa souq, in Dhofar governorate, Oman, August 5, 2024. Frankincense remains a vital aspect of Omani culture, used in religious rites, incense, and perfumes. REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

Mar 18, 2025

The Opportunities and Risks of Industrial Policy in the Gulf

On March 18, AGSI hosted a discussion on industrialization in the Gulf.

Workers are seen at a solar plant factory in Uyayna, Saudi Arabia April 10, 2018. (REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser)
Workers are seen at the solar plant factory in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia April 10, 2018. Picture taken April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

Millennial Gulf

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Fablemill: Bringing Stories From the Region to Life

Through Fablemill, Eman Alsabah and her team are creating content that celebrates the region’s diverse stories and speaks to a global audience.

Shifaa Alsairafi

9 min read

Eman Alsabah (founder and CEO of Fablemill), Mariam Maki (head of projects at Fablemill), and Ghufran Alhubail (producer at Fablemill). (Credit: bentrepreneur)