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The Saudi Form of Democracy: How Women Got to Drive

02.5.23

Introduction  To what extent are state-led social interventions for women authoritarian? Western literature on the Middle East, and in particular on Saudi Arabia, suggests decision-making is centralized and a result of enlightened despots such Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS). But this approach misses upward dialogue initiated by citizenry to communicate desired rights for women to leaderships. […]

Kuwait’s Position in the Gulf-Lebanon Diplomatic Row

12.6.21

Giorgio Cafiero analyzes the diplomatic row between four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members and Lebanon and how it represents new challenges and severe complications for Beirut.

Reform or reshuffle? A comparative glance at Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan

05.10.19

In late 2016, most people had never heard of Muhammad bin Salman or Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Both, however, would take control of their respective countries within six months. The shifts of power in Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan represent an abrupt interruption of stable, autocratic regimes. At the outset, there was no reason to expect long-lasting changes […]

Event Review: Youth Movements and Political Participation in Saudi Arabia

11.9.18

Mohammad bin Salman (MBS) is a member of Saudi Arabia’s swelling youth population. Even as MBS courts favor with his young subjects, his efforts may not meet high expectations for reform.

Borrowing Time: Rents and Reform in Saudi Arabia

02.12.18

Of the three various frames for studying the MENA region at present questions of securing economic development and reforming social welfare programs generally receive less attention than topics such as Islamism, security sector reform, or social mobilization. Most analysts…struggle to imagine the kind of economic improvement that could curb high levels of unemployment (especially among the educated) and generate much-needed revenue to finance state services such as education, health care, and basic infrastructure projects.

Could Saudi Meddling Unite the Lebanese?

11.24.17

By HALA AL-HARIRI “In this room, the honorable Bchara El Khoury, President of the Republic of Lebanon, was arrested from November 11 until November 22, 1943.” This is written on a plaque on the wall of The Rashaya Citadel, also known as the Citadel of Independence. Another plaque says the same for the honorable Prime Minister Riad […]

Prince Turki al Faisal at the Munich Security Conference in 2014. Photo by Marc Muller.

Prince Turki Al Faisal tries to project Saudi unity during a time of upheaval

11.15.17

Prince Turki al Faisal spoke at the Arab Conference at Harvard on November 10th, insisting that Saudi Arabia stood united, even during a time of major political upheavals in the kingdom.

Saudi power lines

Reaching for the sun: Saudi Arabia embraces renewable energy

06.27.17

With an economy long buoyed by oil, Saudi Arabia is beginning to feel the pinch for the first time in decades. The Saudi economy grew at a meager rate of 1.4% in 2016, as the war effort in Yemen and low global oil prices began to take their toll. This forced the government to raise $9 […]

Environment and Energy

Engulfed: Reading the tea leaves on Qatar’s ostracization

06.7.17

Very rich, heavily armed states are engaged in brinkmanship in the world’s most conflict-prone region. This doesn’t end well – for anyone.

International Relations and Security

Social Media Alone Won’t Improve Women’s Rights in the Middle East

05.9.17

BY NABILA ABU-HANTASH I was sitting behind the wheel in Jedda, Saudi Arabia, with my close friend in the passenger’s seat. The car was parked with the ignition switched off. We were waiting for her husband to come back from souvenir shopping, so that we could begin the twenty-three-hour drive back home to Kuwait. He […]

Talking Tehran: Journalists Jason and Yeganeh Rezaian discuss Iran

04.7.17

The journalist couple share their thoughts and insights on Iran, in their first joint public event since being released from prison.

Media
Saudi Comic Con

Making Saudi Arabia Fun Again?

03.10.17

A Saudi government agency tasked with providing entertainment options in the kingdom came under fire after approving a comic convention.

Media

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