Quoted in Ziwen Zhao’s piece for SCMP concerning Sino-Iranian relations with the backdrop of an incoming Trump administration. In particular, I highlight three themes that are featured in the piece — albeit in a simplified manner. (1) Gaza Trump’s election campaign included a promise that he will end the war in Gaza, with the president-elect

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In a special essay, entitled “Gazing into the murky crystal ball 🔮”, I shared my thoughts with local Chinese media outlet Zaobao on Israel-Iran confrontation, the integrity of Syria, and what the future holds for the Middle East with a new US administration. You can find my remarks under my Chinese name, 蔡胜荣, in the

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This review is completed for Bustan, published by Penn State University Press, Vol. 15, no . 2 (Winter Issue).

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As the US presidential race heats up, I spoke to Zhao Ziwen at SCMP on whether China has the desire and/or the capacity to plug the gaps left by Washington. I remarked that the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, has largely stuck to the administration line, which has demonstrated a current lack of political

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I spoke to Sébastien Castelier at Al Monitor on the need to invest in human capital of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly when their governments are interested in propping up their knowledge-based economic sectors. Read the full briefing here.

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I was featured in Mothership‘s short documentary covering the painstaking process needed to reach a ceasefire agreement on Gaza. Besides the bleak realities, I provided some contextual background of the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. See the clips below. Summary: Today marks exactly one year since the Israel-Hamas War started on Oct. 7, 2023. Over the past

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I thank So Geok Lan for the invitation to contribute. In this special essay marking the anniversary of the October 7 events, I told local Chinese media outlet, Lianhe Zaobao, that while Haniyeh’s death should not be exaggerated in terms of its impact on the war, his departure will certainly complicate any further peace negotiation.

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“Iran’s latest wave of missiles follows Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon, marking its second form of direct retaliation since its last missile barrage in April — which was largely symbolic. Two questions hover over the current state of affairs. First, whether Tehran’s latest act is a performative one aimed at “saving face” after a series of

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I delivered a talk on the transformation in the reforming Gulf economies, business opportunities, and navigating entry points. On 21 August 2024, I joined MEI Chairman Bilahari Kausikan in the opening session of our annual ME 101 Lecture Series. This year’s initiative is specially curated for business-minded folks, having partnered with the Singapore University of

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Imperial Mecca is a significant study that bridges Ottoman and Indian Ocean studies, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of empire, religion, and technology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Masterfully weaving together Ottoman and British historiographies, Michael Christoper Low focuses on the Hijaz region as the nexus of competing imperial interests. Read

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Click HERE to read the article. I told local Chinese media outlet Zaobao that the recent call between Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, contains signals. Beijing’s assertion that Tehran should defend its sovereignty is an indirect way of telling the Islamic Republic to retaliate.

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In this reaction piece for Channel News Asia (CNA), I provide my two cents on the ripple effects of Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination, or the lack thereof, arguing that his death will further complicate ceasefire talks. Click HERE to read article. On the same topic, I provided brief comments to local Chinese media outlet Zaobao HERE.

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I told local Chinese media outlet Zaobao that despite the diplomatic victory claimed by Beijing at bringing all 14 Palestinian factions together to sign a declaration, the deal represents acquiescence with the lowest common denominator. There are inherent differences, ideological or otherwise, among the parties and particularly between Fatah and Hamas, which both have a

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I served as moderator on the panel entitled “Bridging the skills gap: the role of technical and vocational education and training”. Guest speakers included Mr Soh Wai Wah (Principal and CEO of Singapore Polytechnic), Dr Mohamad Al Najjar (Director-General, General Directorate of Training, Ministry of Labour, Oman). andDr Hanaa Almoaibed (Visiting fellow, LSE and Research

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Click HERE to read the article. Arabic version HERE. In this policy brief on Kuwaiti politics for Arab Reform Initiative, I argue that, while some view the latest parliamentary suspension as a regression from democracy, the intervention will provide time and space for the leadership to solve chronic problems. The piece was submitted and finalised

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