Articles written by Derasat researchers on issues and topics of trending national, regional and global significance.
THE ANCIENT Chinese philosopher Mencius once said, “A state without an enemy or external peril is absolutely doomed.” Today, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is not faced with one enemy but a growing number of enemies.
There has been widespread debate regarding the environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing, especially concerns about ground water contamination. The shale oil and gas industry is built on the technology of hydraulic fracturing, and it has made vast amounts of oil and gas shale resources extractable at reasonable costs.
With the US Presidential elections set to take place in a year’s time and with the growing disillusionment with the Obama administration and troubles in the region; to the GCC, understanding who may win is of vital importance.
The surge in shale oil supply has changed previous perceptions of oil market dynamics. The US shale oil industry succeeded in doubling US oil output in a few years, specifically after the 2008 financial crisis and up to 2014.
The Greek debt crisis has been a staple of world news since 2009; everywhere you look is another headline shedding light on the crisis or announcing another twist in the seemingly never ending saga.
As he basked in the glory of an unexpectedly strong victory in the 2015 UK General Election, Prime Minister David Cameron could reflect upon an especially rare occurrence: the incumbent party strengthening its Parliamentary position after a first term.
For many observers, the elections were more of a referendum on whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can introduce constitutional changes to place the country on a different course.
Virtual water is a relatively new concept that emerged in the mid-nineties. Virtual water is the amount of water consumed for the production of agricultural commodities which are then exported to water scarce areas, thus international food trade can be seen as trade in virtual water.
In the ongoing Yemeni crisis, Pakistan is faced with a strange dilemma. On one side is Saudi Arabia which had always been forthcoming with aid to Pakistan in times of crisis.
The prolonged Syrian civil has exasperated Iran’s foreign policy. For four long years, Tehran feverishly propped up Assad’s regime through various means: extending generous credit to the government, manpower for militias, transforming a once professional army into...
Following the savage murder of its hero pilot Lt. Muath As-Kaseasbeh early this year, Jordan’s posture on the battlefield against extremism in general and the highly visible face of terrorism today that is Daesh is firm at the forefront.
During the Sharm Al-Shaykh summit during the middle of March, the GCC countries announced a program of financial aid directed at Egypt, with a value in excess of $12 billion.
One the most important developments in the field of energy in the current decade is the sharp and sustained improvement in the economic feasibility of the technologies used in renewable energy generation.
During the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, Muslims and Arabs led the world economically (and intellectually, artistically, etc.), with Shari’a commercial law ushering in unprecedented prosperity.
Oil prices fell significantly during the fourth quarter of 2014 and currently stand at less than $50/barrel, compared to over $100/barrel during August 2014.
Our region is considered one of the best in terms of solar irradiation and its annual frequency, which renders the GCC countries capable of producing large amounts of solar energy, as well as being a leader in the area.
During these times of uncertainty and faltering alliances, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been left in a conundrum. The perceived diminishing role of the US in the region has raised a few eyebrows with the GCC contemplating new partnerships to help secure its own safety.
