Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states woke up on one Monday morning to what is the most severe crisis in the regional bloc’s 36-year history to date. In a closely coordinated series of statements, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, along with Egypt, announced the severing of ties with Qatar, demanding that the country sever ties with extremist groups. Judging by the Qatari reaction so far, it seems the Gulf states’ patience will be tested. Read more »
GCC
Spotlight on the Gulf: Rise of Gulf Cities, Globalization, and National Identities
At NYU, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi and Matthew MacLean discuss the rise of the Arab Gulf states in the regional pecking order and how these shifts have produced powerful national identities in Gulf states. Read more »
My 350 on Donald Trump: Widening the Gulf
The Gulf Arab states will welcome the end of Obama’s administration. But there are no guarantees that Trump will be a better partner. Read more »
How art can help diffuse Middle East tensions
Some Gulf Arab cities led by Dubai have defied the regional swing into sectarianism and suspicion by publicly displaying art from across the Middle East. With its vibrant 90,000-strong Iranian community active in cultural and commercial sectors, Dubai is today an essential link between communities on both sides. Read more »
The Newsmakers: Gulf Economies and the TPP Agreement
Crashing economies and unprecedented austerity. Can the gulf region survive this season of rock bottom oil prices? TRT World speaks to Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi about the Gulf economies and the TPP agreement. Read more »
The Rise of Gulf Arab Cities
The Middle East Institute (MEI) hosts Emirati commentator and MEI non-resident scholar Sultan Sooud al Qassemi for a discussion about the growing role of Gulf Arab cities. Read more »