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.…

Continue reading

“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…

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading

I contributed a chapter to this volume entitled “The Making of Contemporary Kuwait”, where I delved into an alternative sociopolitical institution in the country that should not be overlooked!

Continue reading

Experts on Iran — who are also good friends — weigh in with their thoughts on the implications for Tehran, following the deaths of President Raisi and FM Amir-Abdollahian. Read their comments HERE.

Continue reading

Click HERE to read the article. My latest piece for 𝑀𝐸𝐼 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 examines how, as Rafah shifts into focus, Israel’s domestic politics constitutes the underlying factor behind the country’s political strain with Washington. The same internal divisions in Tel Aviv contribute to a discomfiting “day after”. Under intense pressure from the right-wingers in his war…

Continue reading

I spoke to Thiam Seng Chua, the Foreign Desk Correspondent of local Chinese media outlet, Lianhe Zaobao, on the evolving situation in Rafah. US pressure on Netanyahu remains half-hearted, despite the political significance found in pausing weapon shipments. This adds to the Secretary of State’s admission that Israel lacks a “credible plan” to protect Palestinian…

Continue reading

I told the New York Times’ Vivian Nereim that important policies in Kuwait such as the national budget have been delayed and hampered owing to dysfunctional politics. What I would also add is that Emir Meshaal, having done his rounds in the Middle East, particularly across the GCC, would have been concerned by his country’s…

Continue reading

I gave an hour-long interview to CNA, which is now featured in segments across a recently released documentary on 📺 CNA Insider. I spoke at length about (1) the need for GCC states to innovate and diversify their economies, (2) how women play an important role in the workforce but time is needed to internalise…

Continue reading