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    Gulf Insights


    The "Gulf Insights" series is published by the Gulf Studies Center on a weekly base with the aim to promote informed debate with academic depth. The Gulf Insights are commentaries on pressing regional issues written by the GSC/GSP faculty, staff and PhD and MA students, and they can be between 1,200 to 1,500 words.


    All articles published under “Gulf Insights” series have been discussed internally but they reflect the opinion and views of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Center, the College of Arts and Sciences, or Qatar University. 

    For submissions: gulfstudieseditor@qu.edu.qa 



     Politics and Security Coordinator: Dr. Luciano Zaccara, Research Associate Professor, GSC, QU.


    Economy and Energy Coordinator: Dr. Nikolay Kozhanov, Research Associate Professor, GSC, QU.

    Society and Culture Coordinator: Dr. Md Mizanur Rahman, Research Associate Professor, GSC, QU.

    Editor and designer: Thouria Bilal Deeb Mahmoud, Senior Editor, GSC, QU.



    Published Gulf Insights
















    October 2024

    Saudi Foreign Policy in Yemen: The Central Bank and the (New) Political Status Quo

    Simon Coppieters PDF
    April 2024 Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Consequences on Oil and Gas Exports of the Gulf Countries
    Iryna Rishniak PDF
    March 2024

    Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Renaissance: Societal Codes and Embrace 

    Sinem Cengiz PDF
    March 2024

    Arab Opinion on Iran: The Gaza War Perspective 

    Nesibe Hicret Battaloglu & Luciano Zaccara PDF
    February 2024

    The Art of Gulf Diplomacy: Kuwait’s New Emir Embarks on a GCC Tour 

    Sinem Cengiz & Amna Sadiq PDF
    February 2024

     Educational Diplomacy at Stake: Closure of a US University Branch in Qatar 

    Sharique Umar
    PDF
    February 2024

    IRAQ Provincial Elections 2023: A Decade in the Making 

    Abdulla Al-Khazraji PDF
    December 2023

    Navigating Change: A Closer Look at Kuwait’s New Leadership and Policy Priorities 

    Sinem Cengiz PDF
    December 2023

    Saudi Arabia’s Sport Investment Strategy: A Driver for Diversification, Empowerment, and Identity Construction



    Sebastian Sons

    PDF
    December 2023

    Gulf Food Security in the Times of Conflict: How Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Impacts Grain Imports by The GCC Member States 




    Iryna Rishniak PDF
    December 2023

    The 44th GCC Summit in Qatar: A Brief Review 






    Amna Sadiq PDF
    October 2023

    The Gulf Regional Implication of the Gaza War 






    Luciano Zaccara
    PDF
    September 2023

    New Saudi generation reestablishes Al-Balad to keep the past alive 





    Sinem Cengiz
    PDF
    June 2023 

    Qatar Central Municipal Council elections 22 June 2023 




    Luciano Zaccara
    PDF
    June 2023

    Kuwait Legislative Elections 2023 






    Luciano Zaccara & Ismail Zahirovic
    PDF
    May 2023

    Qatar’s Humanitarianism: Between Altruism and Realpolitik 




    Sharique Umar  PDF
    April 2023

    Political Dynamics Surrounding Iraq’s Electoral Law 


    Abdulla Al-Khazraji


    PDF
    April 2023

    What Iran gains from the recently signed deal with Saudi Arabia 

    Luciano Zaccara  PDF
    March 2023

    Her Excellency, Not His: Gulf Women Breaking Diplomatic Tradition 

    Sinem Cengiz PDF
    March 2023

    Al-Zubara – Preserving History and Making History 

    Lakshmi Venugopal Menon & Farah Al Qawasmi



    PDF
    February 2023

    Lifestyle Barriers to Physical Fitness in Kuwait and the Need for a Revision in Public Policies 

    E. Esra Erturan-Ogut PDF
    February 2023

    Quest for the Best: Foreign Athletes as High-Skilled Migrants in the Gulf Region 

    Sharique Umar PDF
    January 2023

    Reconciliation in the Gulf: the Case of Iran-Saudi Arabia Talks 

    Mahjoob Zweiri & Nesibe Hicret Battaloglu PDF
    January 2023

    Challenges Facing the Iraqi Government for 2023 

    Abdulla Farooq Hassan PDF
    January 2023

    Post-World Cup 2022: What Potential Legacies Qatar Can Build On 

    Sinem Cengiz PDF
    December 2022

    Qatar’s World Cup 2022: Dropping Jaws and Turning Tables 


    Mahjoob Zweiri & Farah Al Qawasmi

    PDF
    November 2022

    The Fire in the Next Door: Popular Protests in Iran and the Responses from the GCC 

    Nesibe Hicret Battaloglu 

    PDF
    November 2022

    China and Europe in the Gulf: Competitor or Collaborator? 

    Tingyi Wang

    PDF
    October 2022

    The Crisis in Iraq: Should Gulf Be Worried? 

    Mahjoob Zweiri & Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

    PDF
    October 2022

    Kuwait 2022 Parliamentary Elections: Key Characteristics and Future Prospects 

    Kazuto Matsuda & Thomas Bonnie James

    PDF
    October 2022

    Assessing the Socio-political Aspect of Kuwait’s 2022 Parliamentary Elections: Kuwaitis Vote for Change 

    Sinem Cengiz PDF
    July 22

    Environmental Cooperation in the Red Sea: a lost opportunity? 

    Victoria Silva Sánchez

    PDF
    May 2022

    Lebanon’s Elections: What next? 

    Simon Mabon and Elias Ghazal PDF
    May 2022

    Yemeni Presidential Council and the GCC: Renewed Vigor or More of the Same 

    Mahjoob Zweiri and Lakshmi Menon Venugopal PDF
    April 2022

    Look East and Move Beyond Oil and Blue Diamond: Saudi Arabia-Thailand Diplomatic Revival and Normalisation 

    Vorachai Israsena-Pichitkanjanakul PDF
    April 2022

    Argentina-Qatar: Political and Economic Relations and the Bet on Building Long-lasting Ties. 

    Mariela Cuadro and Ornela Fabani PDF
    March 2022

    Israel and the Persian Gulf: Impact of US Offshore Balancing Strategy 

    JavadHeiran-Nia PDF
    March 2022

    Regional actor transformed into an international key-player: The Qatar entrance in the Ukraine crisis. 

    Leticia Rodríguez PDF
    February 2022

    Houthi posturing, not mere retaliation 

    Fernando Carvajal PDF
    February 2022

    The Latin American Region and the UAE Nexus 

    Thomas Bonnie James and Shaikha Majed Al-Moslemani


    PDF
    December 2021

    What lessons we can take from The 2021 FIFA Arab Cup 

    Mahfoud Amara PDF
    December 2021

    Saudi Arabia’s Quiet Diplomacy with Iran 


    Hazal Muslu El Berni PDF
    December 2021

    GCC’s Evolving Cities and the Dearth in Urban Planning 





    Lakshmi Venugopal Menon
    PDF
    November 2021

    Al-UlaDeclaration: A Window of Opportunity for Wider Regional Reconciliation? 



    Nesibe Hicret Battaloglu
    PDF
    November 2021

    Varying Perspectives: The Al-Ula Agreement and the Future of the GCC 




    Thomas Bonnie James 
    PDF
    September 2021

    QATAR The First Shura Council Elections 





    Luciano Zaccara
    PDF
    June 2021

    Iran Presidential elections 2021: What the numbers say 




    Luciano Zaccara
    PDF
    June 2021


    The Qatar Shura Council Elections: A Preliminary assessment 




    Luciano Zaccara and Salem Ghurab
    PDF
    June 2021

    Qatar: The End of a Blockade, The start of a New Era 





    Mahjoob Zweiri and Farah Al Qawasmi PDF
    May 2021


    India’s Vaccine-diplomacy with the GCC 





    Lakshmi Venugopal Menon and Thomas Bonnie James PDF
    May 2021


    Women’s Rights and Intersectionality in the Gulf-Identity Politics, the Question of Inclusion and Representation. 




    Zarqa Parvez PDF
    February 2021


    King-making amid the Gulf Crisis 





    Bulent Aras and Emirhan Yorulmazlar

    PDF
    December 2020


    The Challenges of 2020 and the Future of Political Reforms in the GCC 




    Cihat Battaloglu

    PDF
    December 2020

    Trump Gone: What does it mean for the GCC 



    Hamdullah Baycar and Huzeyfe Altiok

    PDF
    December 2020

    Can 2021 be the year Iran and the GCC States engage in dialogue? 


    Mehran Haghirian

    PDF
    November 2020

    Cooperation between the UAE and Israel in the Oil Market: Can it go beyond Political Considerations? 


    Nikolay Kozhanov

    PDF
    November 2020


    The Gulf and the smart city movement in the Middle East 



    Javier Guirado

    PDF
    September 2020

    Consequences of Kuwaiti Succession for the GCC 



    Courtney Freer

    PDF
    August 2020

    The UAE-Israel Normalisation “If you can’t convince them, confuse them” 





    Mahjoob Zweiri

    PDF
    July 2020

    Is the Strait of Hormuz still a vital energy route? Alternatives between Ambition and Reality

    هل لا يزال مضيق هرمز معبراً عالمياً حيوياً للطاقة؟ البدائل بين الواقع والطموح



    Mahjoob Zweiri & Yara Nassar

    PDF
    July 2020

     [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]

    How sanctions and the pandemic affect Iran’s economy


    Djavad Salehi-Isfahani

    PDF
    June 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]

    Oman: Food Security in Times of Uncertainty 


    Gertjan Hoetjes

    PDF
    June 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]

    Missed Opportunities:  The Trump Administration, Iran, and the Coronavirus Pandemic 





    Juan Cole

    PDF
    May 2020

     [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]

    Navigating Troubled Waters: Experts’ Views on GCC Challenges for Socio-Economic Recovery in the Post-Covid-19 Period



    Nikolay Kozhanov and Luciano Zaccara (eds.) PDF
    May 2020

     [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]

    Covid-19 Crisis and Iran-Turkey-Qatar Relations: Economic Downgrade and Corona Diplomacy 




    Nesibe Hicret Battaloglu

    PDF
    May 2020

    Nº28 May 2020 [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]


    Covid-19 in War-Ravaged Yemen: Ends or doubles the war? 





    Betul Dogan-Akkas PDF
    May 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]


    Covid-19 in Saudi Arabia: Beyond the health crisis 




    Antonino Occhiuto

    PDF
    April 2020

    Saudi Arabia in Struggle for the Chinese Oil Market: the Price War as Necessity



    Nikolay Kozhanov PDF
    April 2020

     [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]

    The Covid-19 Pandemic: Vulnerability of Migrant workers in the GCC States 




    Md Mizanur Rahman PDF
    April 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]


    Pandemic threatens to drive wedge into US-Gulf relations 




    James M. Dorsey PDF
    April 2020

    Saudi Arabia: More Room for Wahhabism Lite? 







    Paul Aarts PDF
    April 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]


    Covid-19, a Common Threat towards Intrusive Regionalism 





    Mahdokht Zakeri PDF
    April 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]


    Covid-19 in Qatar:  Well Versed in Crisis Management 






    Marc Owen Jones PDF
    April 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]


    Covid-19 in Kuwait: An Opportunity for the Government 






    Hamad H. Albloshi PDF
    April 2020

    [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]


    COVID-19 and Plummeting Oil Prices; a Time of Reckoning for Oman 




    Ahmed Ali M. al Mukhaini PDF
    March 2020

     [Covid-19 in the Gulf Special Coverage]

    The Sudden Cost of Unexpected Threats: The Novel Coronavirus and Dubai 






    Hamdullah Baycar PDF
    March 2020


    Iran: Legislative elections 21st February 2020





    Luciano Zaccara

    PDF
    February 2020

    Reconstructing the Event: The Repercussions of Soleimani’s Assassination in the GCC 



    Erick Viramontes PDF
    February 2020


    Natural Gas in the Gulf:  From a Failed Regional Gas Grid to an Emerging Intra-Gulf LNG Market? 




    Naji Abi-Aad

    PDF
    January 2020


    Arabian Gulf Cup offers hope of diplomatic breakthrough 



    John McManus PDF
    December 2019


    Moving Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy in Qatar: What Is Needed To Enable ICT, Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship?





    Tarek Ben Hassen and Fatima Al-Dhaheri PDF
    December 2019


    Economic Drivers of the GCC Investments in the Horn of Africa Region 





    Héla Miniaoui

    PDF


    November 2019

    العنوان: مبادرة هرمز للسلام الإيرانية والبلدان المجاورة: نموذج هلسنكي

    Iran Hormuz Peace Initiative and the Neighboring Countries: The Helsinki Model 





    Mahjoob Zweiri and Muyassar Suleiman 

    PDF
    October 2019


    Can Pakistan mend relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran? 





    Ana Ballesteros Peiró

    PDF
    October 2019

    Drone Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Oil Refining Facilities: Lessons to be Learnt 






    Nikolay Kozhanov

    PDF
    April 2019


    Iran’s Economic Challenges in the New Year: Problems with(out) Solutions?




     Nikolay Kozhanov PDF
    February 2019


    Food Security in Qatar: Threats and opportunities 





    Hussein A. Amery

    PDF
    February 2019





     Shareefa Al-Adwani PDF
    January 2019

    Qatar’s Exit from the OPEC: Economically Driven, Politically Determined





    Nikolay Kozhanov
    PDF
    November 2019

    Blood Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia between Yemen and Jamal Khashoggi





    Paulino R. Robles-Gil Cozzi

    PDF
    November 2018



    The causes and consequences of the dispute between Canada and Saudi Arabia





    Thomas Juneau

    PDF
    April 2016

    Internal Mechanisms and the Political Establishment in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Myth of Reality 






    Mahjoob Zweiri

    PDF
    March 2016

    Who won the Iranian elections? 





    Luciano Zaccara PDF