Francis Matthew

Education: The Battle Ground of and for The Future

Education: The Battle Ground of and for The Future

FRANCIS MATTHEW: The Gulf states need a population which is educated to take its proper place in the global economy, and to take part in multinational endeavours to help run the world.

 Steve Royston

‘Teacher, We Can’t Hear You’: A Major Issue

‘Teacher, We Can’t Hear You’: A Major Issue

STEVE ROYSTON: Among the many issues facing education ministers in the Middle East, ‘acoustics in classrooms’ is well down the list. But it shouldn’t be.

 Sultan Al Qassemi

Islamists and Liberals: No Merger, Only Takeover

Islamists and Liberals: No Merger, Only Takeover

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: Islamists ally with liberals to demand reform; once met they use their newly won influence without regard for former allies…

 Francis Matthew

GCC Union: Practical Thinking Required

GCC Union: Practical Thinking Required

FRANCIS MATTHEW: It’s likely to succeed if it focuses on ways to make the existing GCC work better, rather than offer any new political structure.

 David Roberts

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

A Non-Starter: The Many Obstacles to Closer GCC Union

DAVID ROBERTS: There will be fine talk and likely a positive joint statement will be issued but no firm action will be agreed.

 Francis Matthew

Absent Middle Class Key to Gulf Stability

Absent Middle Class Key to Gulf Stability

FRANCIS MATTHEW: In all Gulf states government dominates the economy. That dependence fosters a lack of entrepreneurial motivation.

 Christina Hebert

Citizenship in the Gulf: Is It A Gift or A Right?

Citizenship in the Gulf: Is It A Gift or A Right?

CHRISTINA HEBERT: It’s an issue that generates heated debate but what are the benefits of Gulf countries offering citizenship to foreigners?

 Rob L. Wagner

“Three Months at Most”: How Long Could Iran Close Straits of Hormuz?

“Three Months at Most”: How Long Could Iran Close Straits of Hormuz?

ROB L. WAGNER: As tensions increase all parties are beginning to make calculations regarding the effect of a possible conflict in the Arabian Gulf.

 Steve Royston

Bahrain and Iran – Danger or Distraction?

Bahrain and Iran – Danger or Distraction?

STEVE ROYSTON: Should the Iranian threat – whether in terms of moral support or actual intervention – be one of Bahrain’s principal concerns?

 David Roberts

Qatar Surprises Again, Announces Elections

Qatar Surprises Again, Announces Elections

DAVID ROBERTS: Another fascinating move from a fascinating country. Qatar has again seized the mantle of leadership in the Arab world…

 David Westley

News Analysis: Saudi Best for Business. Really?

News Analysis: Saudi Best for Business. Really?

NEWS ANALYSIS: The World Bank report ignores uniqueness. Could you honestly say that Saudi Arabia is a more hospitable place than the UAE?

 James M. Dorsey

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Their reluctance to be proactive rather than reactive has so far shielded the GCC from the revolt. The question is for how long, and what’s the price?

 Sultan Al Qassemi

GCC: Muslim Brotherhood Fears Over Arab Spring

GCC: Muslim Brotherhood Fears Over Arab Spring

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: UAE national observers commented in private that many names on the UAE petition calling for an elected parliament were UAE members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

GCC Thought Leaders: Step Up and Connect

GCC Thought Leaders: Step Up and Connect

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: In the GCC what we need is an intellectual evolution of enlightenment not a political
revolution against government.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Entrepreneurs & Privatisation: The Future for GCC Growth

Entrepreneurs & Privatisation: The Future for GCC Growth

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: The GCC is at a crossroads – its growth requirements are in direct conflict with the needs of the world’s net consumers of oil.

 Steve Royston

KSA, UK Immigration: Different Directions

KSA, UK Immigration: Different Directions

STEVE ROYSTON: Add to the mix pressure on borders from poorer neighbouring countries, and you can predict immigration will be on the agenda for years.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

A Call to the GCC: ‘Together You Can Save Yemen’

A Call to the GCC: ‘Together You Can Save Yemen’

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Yemen’s problems could be solved, in part, by the GCC coming together with member countries taking what they are best at, and imparting know-how to the Gulf’s poorest country.

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Saying No to An ‘Open Sesame’ Welfare Agenda

Saying No to An ‘Open Sesame’ Welfare Agenda

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: That the GCC is able to cooperate and function so well is both comforting and alarming. Comforting because it confirms the council still functions, alarming because it only does so in self-preservation mode.

 Andrew Mackay

Rebuilding Business Confidence the Next Battleground

Rebuilding Business Confidence the Next Battleground

ANDREW MACKAY: Countries across the Middle East and Africa need to examine the damage done to their reputations, and rebuild vital revenue streams from inward investment and tourism.

 Steve Royston

What’s Needed for Democracy in the GCC

What’s Needed for Democracy in the GCC

STEVE ROYSTON: This post is more than a five-minute read. I apologise, but I don’t apologise: Sometimes you need more than a few hundred words.