Abu Dhabi’s cultural projects have been a boon to the country and the wider region. They have spurred much-needed reforms that will hopefully be expanded and even replicated in the region. These projects — being built as much of the region’s heritage is lost — are also offering optimism to many in the Middle East that our future can also be full of life, colour and hope. Read more »
Articles
Dubai’s influence goes beyond just commerce
Over the past few decades Dubai has turned itself from a little known town to a global metropolis, hosting one of the world’s best airlines, biggest airports and most diverse populations. Dubai has become much larger than a city, it is now an idea. Read more »
Why Qatar’s intervention won’t help end the Gaza crisis
Weeks of brutal Israeli strikes on the heavily-populated Gaza strip have seen a number of political actors come forward to present a cease-fire plan. The deadlock, however, seems to be between Egypt and Qatar — both of whom have considerable leverage over Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group that has ruled Gaza since 2007. The truth is that due to political bias on each side, neither country is fit to be an exclusive mediator in this situation. Read more »
Showdown in the Gulf
Over the past week, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE took the unprecedented step of collectively withdrawing their ambassadors from Qatar, citing the latter’s disregard for their security. The following day, Egypt also announced a similar step. Observers viewed this as a message to Qatar to cease its support for the Muslim Brotherhood. Qatar issued […]
The shifting soft power of the Arab world
Over the past decade the Arab world has witnessed a shifting of not only hard power — which saw the traditional armies of the Arab world in Syria, Egypt and Iraq consumed in internal turmoil — but also of what Harvard professor Joseph Nye termed “soft power,” which has moved from these countries to the resource rich Gulf states. Read more »
Qatar’s annus horribilis
What a difference a year makes in the Middle East. One year ago this week, Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, handed over power to his son Sheikh Tamim, joining a short but seemingly growing list of monarchs who have abdicated in favor of their relatives. At the time of his abdication, Hamad left behind an empire of soft power and influence that spanned the entire region. Twelve months on, things could not be more different. Read more »