In this 13-min long podcast, I spoke to local radio station Power 98 FM, and its Deputy Editor, Yvonne Gomez, debunking some of the key historical developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict, including my take on the timing of the current war. Link to podcast: https://omny.fm/shows/in-the-news-the-issues-that-matter-to-you/ep-117-the-history-of-the-israel-palestine-conflic

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I explained China’s position in this TIME magazine piece, telling Koh Ewe that Beijing’s position towards the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is consistent with the five-point proposal put forward by Foreign Minister Wang Yi back in March 2021, delineating how China views stability in the Middle East. But reading between the lines tells you that the

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I shared my thoughts in Tom Hussain’s latest article for SCMP, delving into the Mandarin push particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Besides my featured comments, I would add that, despite these efforts, the Western academy remains embedded in both the educational setup and psyche. Link to article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3234706/middle-easts-mandarin-push-sets-tone-convergence-china-trade

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In this reporting by Ismaeel Naar for The National, I remarked that it would be difficult to see how VAT will feature in Kuwait’s policies in the foreseeable future. I also provided my two cents on the parliament’s acknowledgement to tap on the private sector. Here is the link to the article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/gulf-news/2023/07/18/kuwaits-four-year-government-action-programme-makes-no-mention-of-vat-plans/ Photograph by

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السؤال الدائم عن السياسة الكويتية هو مسألة الاستقرار الداخلي ، على وجه التحديد ، حل التوترات بين مجلس الوزراء والبرلمان. مع استمرار الحلقة المتواترة من الحل والاستقالة و (إعادة) الانتخاب و (إعادة) التعيين ، سوف يتطلب الأمر خطوات جريئة للخروج من تلك الحلقة المتواترة. في 6 يونيو ، أجرت الكويت انتخاباتها البرلمانية الثالثة خلال ثلاث

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In this Brief for the Institute of Strategic Research at the French Military Academy (IRSEM), I provide an examination of the latest political developments in Kuwait. This analysis is based on my observations and conversations during my recent trips to the country, where I was also an invited international observer for the June 2023 parliamentary

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In this SCMP article by Tom Hussain, I remarked that the UAE’s CEPAs in Southeast Asia “are formulated as a template that extends well beyond the terms of a regular free-trade agreement”, signalling “a wider diplomatic engagement, touching on softer, if not, strategic sectors such as education, digital cooperation, healthcare”. Crucially, the CEPAs reflect the

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In this article for the Washington Institute, I explain the the latest changes in the decision-making configuration of the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, it deals with the appointment of the Crown Prince of the Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled Mohammed bin Zayed, and his credentials. Another noteworthy addition is a second Vice-President, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed,

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In this collection of quick responses by the MEI research team, I provide my thoughts on the Saudi-Iran agreements brokered by Beijing. In a nutshell, while the deal is laudable and follows the path of regional de-escalation, there are still questions left unanswered. Link to comments: https://mei.nus.edu.sg/think_in/mei-snapshot-the-impact-of-saudi-iran-agreement/ Published on March 17, 2023

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I shared my thoughts in this SCMP article about Qatar’s sustained drive to maintain its position as a global event destination, and how sport constitutes a pillar of its nation branding strategy. Qatar’s objective primarily lies in sustaining its position as a global event destination, and even more so for sporting events after the success

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I shared my insights in this SCMP article on China’s relations with the Gulf Arab states, reiterating my views on how the monarchies are not only addressing the perennial issue of economic diversification, but also the diversification of partnerships — pointing to the adoption of a proactive foreign policy. To go further, I would add

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In this piece for the 9/11 Legacies and the Global War on Terror project helmed by Ameem Lufti (also my former colleague at MEI) and Kevin Schwartz, I reflected upon how the rhetoric on terrorism (as a threat) has changed, but also how the Gulf states should reorganize their own priorities according to what is

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I was invited to comment, in this China Daily article, on Riyadh’s vision of regional stability and, indeed, prosperity. Despite the perceived rivalry between the kingdom and the UAE (the economic powerhouse of the region), Riyadh has made considerable efforts since the Al Ula summit to (re-)align their respective economic visions so the GCC as

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In this piece for MEI Perspectives, I discuss how the perceived US disengagement from the Gulf region has strengthened intra-bloc ties, making de-escalation not only compelling, but also enabling a pathway towards engagement with former rivals. In this writing I specifically examine the prospects of Qatar-Iran relations, which are a noteworthy signpost of how far

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I do not often get the chance to speak about my journey into Gulf affairs; what took me to Kuwait; my first research project; and how I ended up doing what I am doing. So Prof. Simon Mabon’s podcast, sponsored by the SEPAD (the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianization) project at Lancaster University, offered me a

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