Commentary & Analysis
The Gulf Research Center regularly publishes independent commentary and analysis on the most pressing issues impacting the Gulf region. Sign up for updates and to subscribe.
2023-10-13
Takeaways from the 2023 G20 Summit
On September 9 and 10, 2023, the 18th G20 Summit was held in New Delhi, hosted by India as holder of the G20 Presidency. The 2023 G20 Summit marked a critical juncture in globa ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2023-10-11
GCC-Denmark Relations
Relations between Denmark and the GCC countries have existed for some time. Though tested at times, particularly following the Cartoon Controversy, Denmark has stated that it ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2023-09-14
The Future of Hydrogen in the GCC Countries
IntroductionGreen hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a key player in the global drive towards decarbonization, presenting an advantageous opportunity for GCC countries thanks to ...
Writer: Dr. Mohamed Abdelraouf & Asuka Nagasawa*
2023-09-14
It’s Not Sportswashing, It’s Just Sports
In April 2016, Saudi Arabia launched its Vision 2030 not only to diversify its economy away fromoil but also to implement changes that would enhance its citizens’ and residents ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2023-08-01
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Role in Diplomacy
In July 2023, the Gulf Research Center published its Annual Strategic Review, which explained that the GCC states are firmly establishing themselves as important political and ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2023-07-24
GCC-NB8 Relations
The Gulf Research Center (GRC) established a dedicated research program on relations between the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which include Saudi Arabia ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2023-07-02
Gulf Diplomacy is Forging Ahead
Gulf diplomacy was on full display during the week of June 16 to 23. While Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan paid the Kingdom’s first visit to Tehran since 200 ...
Writer: Christian Koch
2023-04-27
Invest in Our Planet
Every year on April 22 the world demonstrates support for the environment by observing Earth Day. It is one of the main international environmental occasions that is aimed a ...
Writer: Dr. Mohamed Abdelraouf
2023-04-11
Gulf Women in the Workforce
IntroductionIn response to the changing geopolitical landscape, the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have each launched their own version of a long-term national v ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2023-03-02
The GCC’s 2023 Economic Agenda
Saadia Zahidi, managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), recently stated that “the short-term risk landscape is dominated by energy, food, debt, and disasters.” What ...
Writer: Abdullah Almutabagani
2022-10-25
US-Saudi Relations: Oil & Energy
Energy has been at the forefront of the decades-long relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States. Their close cooperation and engagement on energy and energy-rela ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2022-10-23
The Qatar World Cup
Qatar has effectively been using sports to bring about positive change at different levels domestically and regionally. Currently, Qatar is ranked among the top 20 countries ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2022-07-05
Sports Diplomacy in the GCC
IntroductionWhile the concept of sports diplomacy is nothing new, the research of sports as a tool of soft power both in the Gulf states and internationally remains exceeding ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2022-06-13
U.S.-GCC Changing Energy Relations
Energy has been a cornerstone of the decades-long relationship between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States. Over this period, the US assisted in ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2022-06-02
GCC Women in Sports
Within the last decade, women in the GCC states emerged as significant athletes, taking prominent strides across sporting arenas, both regionally and internationally. The 201 ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2022-06-07
EU-GCC Relations: Turning a New Page?
The year 2022 has so far witnessed positive developments as far as the relations between the European Union ( and the Gulf Cooperation Council ( is concerned. In January, GCC S ...
Writer: Dr. Christian Koch
2022-04-11
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policies
The U.S.-Saudi relationship is currently undergoing a mutual “recalibration” process. From Saudi Arabia’s perspective, there continues to be increased wariness and doubts abo ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2022-02-16
U.S.-Saudi Relations: Recalibrations
U.S.-Saudi relations are currently undergoing a fundamental re-evaluation, which has implications for the broader strategic orientation of both countries when it comes to the ...
Writer: Amnah Mosly
2022-01-13
Saudi Arabia: Women and Youth Empowerment
Over the last five years, the Saudi government has installed a range of reform initiatives under the Vision 2030 plan to develop a sustainable diverse economy by leveraging the ...
Writer: Kinda Bakr
2021-06-01
Saudi Arabia’s Stance on the Gaza Crisis
Ever since the Arab Spring, it became clear that the primary battleground in the region is not between Arabs and Israel but between regimes and their people, or more so betwe ...
Writer: Layla Ali
2021-06-01
Sudan: Initial Steps to Recovery
On May 17,2021, France held a conference of Heads of State and Government in Paris, chaired by Emmanuel Macron, in support of Sudan’s democratic transition. The conference i ...
Writer: Kinda Bakr
2020-11-01
T20 2020 Journey
In mid-2019 the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) were appointed co-hosts of ...
Writer: Dr. Fahad M. Alturki
