The strategic and international studies program analyzes the latest developments in the fields of security studies, military studies, international relations and crisis management, related to the Arabian Gulf and Middle East.
China’s Strategy Toward the GCC States: The Challenge of Balancing Interests and Principles
This report looks at the prospects for Gulf-Russian oil and non-oil cooperation, in light of the latest economic and geo-strategic developments that are affecting oil markets.
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.
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 Syrian conflict continues to deteriorate, with estimates suggesting a death toll in excess of 300,000, in addition to millions of refugees. The conflict has been extremely internationalized, not just in terms of the diplomatic attention that it has attracted, but also...
In recent years, there has been a plethora of programs on sustainable development due to the manifest necessity to safeguard various forms of resources for the future stakeholders and to provide a route for development and growth that is rooted on the premise of positive conservation...
Indubitably, the agreement on the Iranian nuclear program, which was signed between Iran and the P5+1 countries in Vienna on July 14, 2015, did not end the controversy over the former’s nuclear program.
In May 2015, the Russian government removed political and legal barriers to the sale of the S-300 missile system to Iran, paving the way for a commercial agreement and subsequent delivery.
“Derasat” held a closed seminar with the title “The Iranian Nuclear Deal” with the aim of encouraging debate and dialogue, and to clarify its various aspects.
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.
Iranian influence in Iraq has grown greatly since the U.S. led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and it continues to this day to capture the attention of analysts and experts.
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.
The current world equilibrium is undergoing profound and historical changes that could lead to unexpected outcomes in the strategic international balance of powers. This is obvious in the economic structural problems facing the United States and Europe and their impact on foreign policy, as in the case of the United States changing its defense policy over the next ten years.
The Gulf countries face various economic challenges, the most important of which is the lack of economic diversification in general – and in government revenues in particular – in addition to an unsustainable path of government expenditure.
The strategic importance of the Arabian Gulf given its geographical location with vital corridors for world trade...
The strategic importance of the Arabian Gulf given its geographical location with vital corridors for world trade and energy resources, continues to occupy the attention of the West who have resisted attempts to change the balance of power in the region, resorting to military force when deemed necessary.
While it is true that the transformations that took place in the Arab world since the advent of the so-called “Arab Spring” in 2011 had a clear impact on Gulf countries to varying countries, it had the most impact on the Kingdom of Bahrain.
