Strategic & International

Without going into the details of the consequences of these crises over the past three years from 2020 to 2022, the logical question is what lessons have been learned from these dramatic shifts?

The question that always arises is whether maritime security is a purely legal issue, i.e. respect by States for the contents of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Or is it the de facto ability of a state to protect its international trade through strategic waterways? Or the ability to deal with anticipated marine disasters?

Dr. Ashraf Keshk offers an analysis of the outcomes of the 18th Manama Dialogue annual regional security conference, from the integration of regional and global security concepts due to the overlapping conflict theaters, to the rising importance of resolving Middle East conflicts to avoid the outflow of their factors to other conflict regions, and reaching the shining strategic significance of mediation by middle and rising powers in conflict resolution and prioritizing common understandings above all.

In his third article, Economic Analyst Ali Faqeeh looks at Singapore’s R&D phases in legislation and innovations, the benefits of this process, and the amount the state invests compared to its exponential returns.

In this article, Dr. Ashraf Keshk assesses NATO’s warnings about Iran’s drones and missiles being used against Ukraine, comparing these warnings with the previous leniency demonstrated during the lengthy and futile negotiations by the 5+1 countries on Iran’s nuclear portfolio, while pointing out the opportunities to develop the defense partnership with Gulf States considering this dangerous development and NATO States’ need for Gulf energy security.

Derasat Center and the United Nations Development Programme published two research papers titled, "The Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Bahrain", and "Bahraini Women and Remote Work"; prepared by Dr. Omar Ahmed Al-Ubaydli, Derasat Director of Studies and Research, and Ms. Deema Al-Moayyed, UNDP researcher.

Dr. Ashraf Keshk provides a historical and logical motives behind forming and initiating military coalitions in the region.

Dr. Ashraf Keshk presents his take on the feasibility of deploying UAVs to protect regional water corridors due to the international interests of major countries that manufacture them, despite the divergent views.

An analysis by Dr. Ashraf Keshk on the East-West competition to win over the Middle East and Africa during the current geopolitical conflict in Europe.

Dr. Ashraf Keshk briefly defines the concept of naval security, and lists contemporary threats witnessed by the Arabian Gulf waters, while strategically tying both to the creation and development of GCC naval security modes and precautionary measures.