Paranoia and Control in the Gulf Economy
MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Incubation is the most innovative role governments can play, sparking industries whose high start up costs are a barrier to entry.
Stakes Getting Higher by the Day in Bahrain
GENIEVE ABDO, JASIM HUSAIN, TABSIR: While the mainstream opposition in Bahrain distances itself from Iran, the noises from Tehran are becoming more strident and belligerent
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.
Situation Critical for Increasingly Divided Bahrain
STEVE ROYSTON: Since the GCC forces arrived in Bahrain, the Iranian bogeyman has also surfaced with renewed vigour. The Iranians have described the CGG intervention as “interference”.
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.
Omanis, Protests, and The Right to Pursue Success
MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: In stark — but unsurprising — contrast to the uprisings around the region, Oman’s protest did not call for the fall of its regime or even its ruler.
Saudi Handouts Buy Time – But How Much..?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: More than 90,000 government employees in the Kingdom will have their job status converted from ‘temporary’ to ‘permanent’. Good news for them but is it enough?
How Reform Fever is Revealing the Differences Between Gulf Nations
MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: The different characteristics of Gulf countries are being revealed in how demands for reform are being made, and in the reaction.
2022 World Cup Driving Qatari Labour Clean Up
JAMES DORSEY: The workers are a necessarily evil, but over time they are almost certain to change the nature of society – a notion that sends chills down Qatari spines.
European Clubs See Opportunity in Middle East’s Failure in Asia Cup
JAMES M. DORSEY: Mounting criticism of Middle Eastern nations’ failure to nurture soccer talent has created a business opportunity for European clubs.
GCC Cooperation Key to Tomorrow’s Challenges
SULTAN AL QASSEMI: Recently I attempted to capture some of these aspirations. On Twitter, I asked: “What do Gulf citizens want from the summit?”
An Incredible Journey behind the UAE’s 39th National Day
ALEXANDER MCNABB: I have some old video footage of Sheikh Rashid, a man that used to take 5am tours around his city as it was being built, in true Arabian Nights style…
Forget Our Differences, Let’s Just Shop
Stop talking about politics and extremism and go shopping. It’s what made the Islamic world great (and rich) after all…
Municipal councils & the spirit of civic participation
Emiratis seem to be disconnected from public service and civic duty. If they are empowered to represent their communities, then the energy of a young and growing population could be harnessed in the right direction…
