Cooperation and Development in the
MENA Region Amid a Polarized World

Public Event

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Trump 2.0 and the Gulf's Strategic Future

Afkar

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Trump's Return and Implications for the Middle East

Afkar

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Recent
Publications

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November 14, 2024
Issue Brief -
Gulf Transition to Low-Carbon Economies: The Role of Carbon Markets

Gulf countries are striving to align their economic expansion, which is largely dependent on fossil fuel industries, with sustainable, low-carbon economy practices. Almost all Gulf countries have pledged to adhere to the emissions reduction objectives of the Paris Agreement and have made commitments towards carbon management. Fifteen years ago, climate mitigation efforts in the Gulf were either minimal or nonexistent.

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November 6, 2024
Issue Brief -
Iran’s Shifting Discourse on Nuclear Weaponization: Bargaining Tactic or Doctrine Change?

In this atmosphere of heightened tensions, calls to revise the country’s nuclear doctrine have increased in Iran.

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October 31, 2024
Issue Brief -
Iraq’s Development Road Project: A Path to Prosperity or Instability?

Iraq’s Development Road Project constitutes a bold and much-needed initiative for a country that has been plagued by decades of civil war, ethnic and religious conflict, and geopolitical tensions. The $17 billion Development Road Project (hereafter referred to as Development Road or the Project) aims to transform Iraq into a transport hub by connecting its southern hinterlands to the Turkish border in the north,1 and act as a major driver of economic prosperity in both Iraq and the wider region.

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November 14, 2024
Issue Brief -
Gulf Transition to Low-Carbon Economies: The Role of Carbon Markets

Gulf countries are striving to align their economic expansion, which is largely dependent on fossil fuel industries, with sustainable, low-carbon economy practices. Almost all Gulf countries have pledged to adhere to the emissions reduction objectives of the Paris Agreement and have made commitments towards carbon management. Fifteen years ago, climate mitigation efforts in the Gulf were either minimal or nonexistent.

learn more
November 6, 2024
Issue Brief -
Iran’s Shifting Discourse on Nuclear Weaponization: Bargaining Tactic or Doctrine Change?

In this atmosphere of heightened tensions, calls to revise the country’s nuclear doctrine have increased in Iran.

learn more
October 31, 2024
Issue Brief -
Iraq’s Development Road Project: A Path to Prosperity or Instability?

Iraq’s Development Road Project constitutes a bold and much-needed initiative for a country that has been plagued by decades of civil war, ethnic and religious conflict, and geopolitical tensions. The $17 billion Development Road Project (hereafter referred to as Development Road or the Project) aims to transform Iraq into a transport hub by connecting its southern hinterlands to the Turkish border in the north,1 and act as a major driver of economic prosperity in both Iraq and the wider region.

learn more

Events

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20 November 2024
upcoming event 6:00 pm AST - 7:30 pm AST
Cooperation and Development in the MENA Region Amid a Polarized World
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12 November 2024
past event 4:00 pm AST - 5:15 pm AST
MENA Youth Voices on Climate Change
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21 May 2024
past event AST - AST
Middle East Dialogue 2024
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20 November 2024
6:00 pm AST - 7:30 pm AST

Cooperation and Development in the MENA Region Amid a Polarized World

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12 November 2024
past event 4:00 pm AST - 5:15 pm AST

MENA Youth Voices on Climate Change

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21 May 2024
past event AST - AST

Middle East Dialogue 2024

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Afkar

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November 18, 2024
Thinking Through China’s Middle East Policy Amid War

For many years, China has been expanding its influence to every corner of the globe. And while its strategic priorities remain anchored in the Western Pacific—where it faces great-power rivalry with the United States, myriad territorial disputes, tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the potential for military conflict over the Taiwan Strait—its steadily growing presence… Continue reading Thinking Through China’s Middle East Policy Amid War

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November 12, 2024
Trump 2.0 and the Gulf's Strategic Future

President-elect Donald Trump’s first term in office reshaped U.S.-Gulf relations. His approach focused on cultivating personal bonds with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), signing massive arms deals, and for the most part not touching human rights issues. Gulf statesmen mostly welcomed this approach, which provided immediate defense assurances without challenging their sovereignty. However, with… Continue reading Trump 2.0 and the Gulf’s Strategic Future

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November 7, 2024
Trump's Return and Implications for the Middle East

On November 6, within hours of closing the polls, Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election in the United States, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by a wide margin. Trump’s remarkable triumph, which will return him to the White House after his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, comes at a… Continue reading Trump’s Return and Implications for the Middle East

learn more
November 18, 2024
Thinking Through China’s Middle East Policy Amid War

For many years, China has been expanding its influence to every corner of the globe. And while its strategic priorities remain anchored in the Western Pacific—where it faces great-power rivalry with the United States, myriad territorial disputes, tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the potential for military conflict over the Taiwan Strait—its steadily growing presence… Continue reading Thinking Through China’s Middle East Policy Amid War

learn more
November 12, 2024
Trump 2.0 and the Gulf's Strategic Future

President-elect Donald Trump’s first term in office reshaped U.S.-Gulf relations. His approach focused on cultivating personal bonds with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), signing massive arms deals, and for the most part not touching human rights issues. Gulf statesmen mostly welcomed this approach, which provided immediate defense assurances without challenging their sovereignty. However, with… Continue reading Trump 2.0 and the Gulf’s Strategic Future

learn more
November 7, 2024
Trump's Return and Implications for the Middle East

On November 6, within hours of closing the polls, Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election in the United States, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by a wide margin. Trump’s remarkable triumph, which will return him to the White House after his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, comes at a… Continue reading Trump’s Return and Implications for the Middle East

learn more