The Crisis of Grand Strategy in the West
Contemporary Western political systems are the result of centuries of gradual evolution. At various times during the modern era, countries such as France and Germany have been able to coordinate all available instruments of power – military, economic, and diplomatic – under the umbrella of a coherent long-term “grand strategy”. However, during the last 50 […]
The Royal Vision for Further Gulf Integration
His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), presided over the Council’s 167th session, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain on June 10, 2026. Given the significance of the content […]
The Lebanese Question: An Analysis of the State’s Transformations and the Path to Recovery
On March 3, 2025, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s plane touched down in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, marking his first foreign visit since his election as president in January of that year. At the time, that visit carried clear implications of a new Lebanese direction, reflecting an awareness of the importance of strengthening Lebanon’s ties to […]
Ways to Confront Armed Militias in Neighboring Countries
Armed militias—Iran’s proxies in neighboring countries—are among the most prominent issues raised during the current escalation in the region, as ending support for them was one of the four key U.S. demands made of Iran. Without delving into the historical background of these militias’ origins, development, and activities, four factors unite them. First: their concentration […]
The Invisible Threats of Climate Change
Beyond the visible indicators of a warming planet exists a layer of more subtle, yet equally profound, ecological disruptions. Beneath thawing Arctic ice, within drought-stricken soils, and inside warming ecosystems; microscopic organisms are responding to environmental change through mechanisms that scientists are still decoding. Climate change is increasingly being recognized as a major driver of […]
The Risks of Iran’s Acquisition of Nuclear Weapons for Arabian Gulf and Regional Security
The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) recently published a research paper titled “The Risks of Iran’s Acquisition of Nuclear Weapons for Gulf and Regional Security,” authored by Dr. Ashraf Mohammed Keshk, Director of the International and Strategic Studies Program at the Center. The paper argues that while the Iranian threat to […]
Shadow Wars and the Gray Zone: An Analysis of Contemporary Conflict Patterns and Their Implications for the Regional Strategic Environment
The contemporary strategic environment is witnessing a structural shift in the nature of conflict, in which direct military confrontation is giving way to more complex forms known as the “gray zone” or “shadow wars.” According to the writings of Frank Hoffman and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), this pattern is defined as […]
The Iranian War and Global Fertilizer Market: A Medium-Term Analysis
Vaclav Smil, the renowned energy and environmental analyst, has described ammonia as one of the four indispensable pillars of modern civilization, alongside cement, steel, and plastics. In his writings, Smil emphasizes that ammonia synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process underpins global food production that enables the nitrogen fertilizers essential to sustaining the living of nearly 4 […]
Do Energy Crises Accelerate or Delay the Renewable Energy Transition?
Energy crises are often presented as turning points that can reshape the global energy system. When oil and gas prices rise sharply or supply chains are disrupted, governments are forced to reconsider how they produce and consume energy. Some view these moments as catalysts for accelerating renewable energy, while others argue that they reinforce reliance […]
Drone Warfare and Arabian Gulf Security: The Strategic Value of Cooperation with Ukraine
The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have transformed modern security calculations, particularly in the field of drone warfare. Across the Arabian Gulf region, the growing threat – posed by unmanned aerial systems and low-cost drone attacks – has highlighted the urgent need for more flexible and technologically adaptive defense strategies. In this context, […]
