http://rusi.org/ web@rusi.org en-us Copyright 2012 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4F328B3696A01/ Something needs to be done to stop the Syrian Army killing ever increasing number of its citizens. But Syria is far more complex than Libya and simply sending arms and further internationalising the Syrian Civil War will only exacerbate the war and elongate suffering. A more viable solution is for Arab states to use their muscle as energy suppliers to slow down the Assad regime. 2012-02-08 14:53:23 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4F0D955291B95/ Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear energy programme has created deep tensions and fear across the Middle East and the West. Despite this, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, countries in the Gulf are now embarking on radical nuclear energy programmes with greater cooperation from the West. 2012-01-11 14:12:49 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4F04331DB4F7A/ The Taliban’s establishment of an office in Doha suggests a progression towards the transition long sought after by the United States. The choice of Qatar further cements the Gulf state’s ambition to be a diplomatic powerhouse. 2012-01-04 11:08:42 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4EEA41041E169/ If this year brought us an earthquake, then 2012 will be a year of aftershocks and transitions. Speculate as we might, we must still prepare for the predictable but watch for the surprises. 2011-12-15 18:56:54 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4ED4BBB13B32B/ The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry's (BICI) report has surprised many with its balanced findings into February's violence. But King Hamad must begin a reform process now instead of setting up another talking shop. 2011-11-29 11:30:48 http://rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A4ECCE29339F64/ Saudi Arabia's response to the Arab Spring has ranged from apparent inertia to the financing and leadership of counter-revolution, but at all times the stability of the kingdom has been its primary objective. 2011-11-23 12:11:07 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4EB7E9D2686E7/ The appointment of a new Prime Minister in Jordan could mean a more comprehensive implementation of much needed reforms. But divisions and tensions between domestic political factions could once again stall this process. 2011-11-07 14:27:59 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4EA58523DAB69/ The death of the long-serving Defence Minister ushers in a long-overdue process of succession. While there may be concerns over the role of the likely Crown Prince, Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, we should not expect a massive change in direction of Saudi policy in the region. 2011-10-24 16:43:37 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4E12FD205C3C1/ Kuwait's Parliament is argumentative, obstreperous and stymied at the best of times. Now, with escalating Sunni-Shia tensions in the region, it is more paralysed than ever. 2011-07-05 13:06:01 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4DE6283469504/ As events in Yemen are coming to an all too violent and bloody head, it is essential to examine the long-term implications of an increasingly unstable Yemen for both regional and Western security. 2011-06-01 12:57:47 http://rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A4DE51510C183C/ Bashar Al-Assad's days are numbered, but his departure will not see the end to the challenges facing Syria. What must the West prepare for after Al-Assad? 2011-05-31 17:21:13 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4DD5923863AF9/ With its thirtieth anniversary in May, the Gulf Co-operation Council is proposing to expand by incorporating Morocco and Jordan. The unlikely inclusion is more a response and a challenge to the revolutionary impulses of the Arab Spring than it is towards regional coherence. 2011-05-19 22:58:37 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4DD5923863AF9/ With its thirtieth anniversary in May, the Gulf Co-operation Council is proposing to expand by incorporating Morocco and Jordan. The unlikely inclusion is more a response and a challenge to the revolutionary impulses of the Arab Spring than it is towards regional coherence. 2011-05-19 22:58:37 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4DD273D68BC54/ Water scarcity, although a relatively low priority, is still a concern for the Middle Eastern security agenda. Gulf states in particular can lead the way in ensuring that water co-operation replaces the threat of water conflict. 2011-05-17 14:15:59 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4DAD6729BFDBF/ The outcome of the anti-government protests in Yemen could have profound implications for the development of Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula 2011-04-19 11:50:19 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4DA47282158B0/ The uprisings have affected the governments of some of the world's largest oil exporters. In the long-term, however, supply is unlikely to be affected. 2011-04-12 16:41:45 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4D9DDD0CAD725/ If all parties involved in the Israeli-Palestinian are to avoid bruised reputations and bloodied hands, they need to change their approach. Embracing co-operative solutions to communal problems would be a start. 2011-04-07 17:00:47 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4D9DD62361AF0/ Saudia Arabian foreign policy is determined - to a disproportionately large extent - by its fear of Iran, and its insistence that its neighbours fall in line could jeopardise the fragile alliances of the Gulf. 2011-04-07 16:29:57 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4D964AD559FEC/ Other than grudging diplomatic and perhaps financial support, Arab and 'Muslim' support is primarily symbolic, not military. Relative to what could be provided, the Arab military hardware on show is vanishingly slight. 2011-04-01 23:01:35 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4D91E71FD3A73/ Western policymakers may weigh up a number of ways to help the rebels in Libya - what should not be in doubt, however, is their obligation to provide some much-needed assistance. 2011-03-29 15:11:57 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4D80925B1234B/ Saudi Arabia and the UAE have intervened in Bahrain to restore stability. Yet, there is a real sense of fear that in their haste to avoid allowing a precedent to be set and to prevent any potential Iranian interference, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi's actions may well precipitate these very outcomes. 2011-03-16 10:36:14 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4D7E494272218/ Instability in Bahrain could develop into widespread sectarian violence, with potentially disastrous consequences for regional and global security. Concessions and preventative reform can ensure such a devastating path is avoided. 2011-03-14 16:59:22 http://rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A4CED5C261C56E/ The Gulf States are arming, but they will still rely on others for security 2010-11-24 18:40:40 http://rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A4CED5BC7BC10A/ Saudi efforts in forming a new Iraqi government could prove the difference 2010-11-24 18:39:38 http://rusi.org/analysis/commentary/ref:C4C73F3780637F/ While the operational launch of Bushehr may receive only passing attention in the media, it represents a significant step forward for Iran’s potential nuclear weapons capability. With the danger of a nuclear domino affect hitting the Gulf States, how far can Iran’s claims of using nuclear technology for solely peaceful purposes be trusted? 2010-08-24 16:32:45 http://rusi.org/news/ref:N4C61621C59F10/ RUSI to broker a series of high-level meetings between UK and Kuwaiti policymakers 2010-08-10 16:30:35 http://rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A45D996252CA69/ The heat may be rising on Ahmadinejad, but Tehran’s fundamental strategic position has not altered. 2007-02-19 12:21:00 http://rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A452E517720DEB/ Is Dubai about to become the world’s most obvious target for Al-Qa’ida? 2006-10-12 15:30:43 http://rusi.org/publications/newsbrief/ref:A452E517720DEB/ Is Dubai about to become the world’s most obvious target for Al-Qa’ida? 2006-10-12 15:30:43 http://rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:P4173B26FAACDA/ Is the threat of UN-imposed economic sanctions on an oil-dependent country, widely regarded as the most effective way of bringing the nuclear programme to heel, really the only way of meeting the Iranian challenge? 2004-10-18 13:09:19 http://rusi.org/publications/journal/ref:J40c1f77d04cab/ Short of a truly radical upheaval in global energy markets, the world is likely to rely increasingly on Middle East oil for the next twenty years or so. 2004-06-18 12:23:42