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The Gulf Region
In the Chaos of Syrian Geopolitics, Russia Remains Dominant
Commentary, 15 May 2020
Kamal Alam
The Russians appear to be expressing dissatisfaction with the Syrian president. But these are mere rumblings; the Syrian government is consolidating, and Russia is there to stay.
Tags: Turkey, Iran, The Gulf Region, Russia, Syria
Europe and the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Middle East
Commentary, 6 April 2020
Tobias Borck
The pandemic preoccupies Europe. But the continent should not lose sight of potential new crises in the Middle East.
Tags: Egypt, Iran, The Gulf Region, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Middle East and North Africa
"“We’re in a three-way Mexican stand-off with three big players in the room all saying, ‘if you screw that guy over there, you are screwing me over, so I’m going to screw you over,’” said Michael Stephens, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. “It’s a strange triangular discussion from which no side wants to back down and all are going to feel the pain.”
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Saudi oil war: ‘The beauty is you can blame it on the Russians’
In The News, 17 March 2020 Tags: United States, The Gulf Region, Russia
Iran’s First Response to Soleimani’s Death, and Tehran’s Future Moves
Commentary, 8 January 2020
Michael Stephens
For the first time since the late 1970s, Iran has hit directly at US military targets, and fully admitted its responsibility. But the real imponderable is Iran’s behaviour in the Gulf in the months to come
Tags: RUSI International, United States, Iran, The Gulf Region, Global Security Issues
"Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute, told the BBC the photos "probably prove" the tanker was attacked, but it was not clear what with.
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Gulf tanker attacks: Iran releases photos of 'attacked' ship
In The News, 14 October 2019 Tags: Iran, The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
Saudi Arabia Under Attack
Commentary, 16 September 2019
Michael Stephens
The attacks on oil installations in Saudi Arabia are grim reminders of Iran’s challenge to the entire Middle East, and the paucity of US options.
Tags: Iran's Nuclear Programme, RUSI International, Iran, The Gulf Region, Global Security IssuesPages
In the Chaos of Syrian Geopolitics, Russia Remains Dominant
Commentary, 15 May 2020Kamal Alam
The Russians appear to be expressing dissatisfaction with the Syrian president. But these are mere rumblings; the Syrian government is consolidating, and Russia is there to stay.
Turkey, Iran, The Gulf Region, Russia, Syria
Europe and the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Middle East
Commentary, 6 April 2020Tobias Borck
The pandemic preoccupies Europe. But the continent should not lose sight of potential new crises in the Middle East.
Egypt, Iran, The Gulf Region, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Middle East and North Africa
Iran’s First Response to Soleimani’s Death, and Tehran’s Future Moves
Commentary, 8 January 2020Michael Stephens
For the first time since the late 1970s, Iran has hit directly at US military targets, and fully admitted its responsibility. But the real imponderable is Iran’s behaviour in the Gulf in the months to come
RUSI International, United States, Iran, The Gulf Region, Global Security Issues
Saudi Arabia Under Attack
Commentary, 16 September 2019Michael Stephens
The attacks on oil installations in Saudi Arabia are grim reminders of Iran’s challenge to the entire Middle East, and the paucity of US options.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, RUSI International, Iran, The Gulf Region, Global Security Issues
Saudi Arabia and the Khashoggi Affair: What Should Key Western Governments Consider?
Commentary, 23 October 2018Michael Stephens
The uproar in the wake of the death of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul continues unabated. France, Germany and the UK are coordinating their responses, and are adopting a different approach from that of the US. But what are the considerations governing any action?
RUSI International, The Gulf Region, Middle East and North AfricaPages
What is Behind Qatar–Gulf Tensions?
Multimedia, 8 June 2017Why is Qatar facing censure and sanctions from its Gulf neighbours? RUSI Research Fellow Michael Stephens helps explain.
Tags: The Gulf Region
The Conflict in Yemen: The Coalition Perspective
Multimedia, 21 March 2016Brigadier-General Ahmed al-Assiri, spokesman of the Arab coalition, gives a briefing on the current Saudi-led military operation in Yemen. Chaired by Sir Simon Mayall.
Tags: The Gulf Region
UK Basing Posture Renews Naval Capability
RUSI Defence Systems, 7 March 2018James Shinnie
With new UK facilities opening in Oman and Bahrain, an examination of these future bases offers helpful insights into the shape of UK strategic international engagements post-Brexit.
The Gulf Region, RUSI Defence Systems, Maritime Forces
Anything but Strait-Forward: The Saudi Agenda in Yemen
RUSI Newsbrief, 2 March 2018R T Howard
Saudi Arabia’s investment in the war in Yemen may have more to do with pipelines and maintaining control of the region’s shipping lanes than previously thought.
Egypt, RUSI Newsbrief, The Gulf Region, Sudan, Maritime Forces
Why Have Three Gulf States Introduced the Draft? Bucking the Trend on Conscription in Arabia
RUSI Journal, 17 January 2018Zoltan Barany
Politics, economics and security help to explain why some Gulf countries have adopted conscription.
RUSI Journal, The Gulf Region, Military Personnel, Middle East and North Africa
Saudi Arabia’s Quiet Revolution
RUSI Newsbrief, 5 July 2016Gerald Butt
A shift in power to a younger generation and a recognition of the need for more transparency will have a long-lasting impact on Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, its economy and its politics.
RUSI Newsbrief, The Gulf Region
Lessons from the Greek Debt Crisis for Gulf Monetary Union
RUSI Newsbrief, 25 September 2015Omar Al-Ubaydli
Far from an ideal blueprint for success, the Eurozone and its current woes could be instructive for the GCC in its pursuit of monetary union
RUSI Newsbrief, The Gulf Region, European UnionPages
Ending the Suffering in Yemen: What Can Be Done?
Events, 17 April 2018This joint event with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) will look at the drivers of the conflict, the humanitarian impact and the view from the West.
RUSI International, The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
Saudi Arabia’s Reforms: Countering Extremism in a Changing Kingdom
Events, 8 March 2018A discussion on how Saudi Arabia’s social reforms will impact the Kingdom and its continued cooperation with the UK on counter-extremism.
RUSI International, The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
A Conversation with Qatar Defence Minister HE Dr Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah
Events, 17 January 2018HE Dr Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah, Minister of State for Defence and Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, discussed the pressing security issues for Qatar, the wider region and relations...
The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
'Without Glory but Without Disaster': 50 Years after the British Withdrawal from Aden
Events, 4 December 2017RUSI is hosting a conference with the support of Durham University, the British-Yemeni Society and the MBI Al Jaber Foundation to mark 50 years since Britain's withdrawal from Aden (also known as...
The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
Crises or opportunities? A reflection on the economic, political and security challenges to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Events, 16 May 2016A lecture by HRH Prince Turki al Faisal bin Abdulaziz al Saud on the future of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region.
The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
"“We’re in a three-way Mexican stand-off with three big players in the room all saying, ‘if you screw that guy over there, you are screwing me over, so I’m going to screw you over,’” said Michael Stephens, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. “It’s a strange triangular discussion from which no side wants to back down and all are going to feel the pain.” "
Saudi oil war: ‘The beauty is you can blame it on the Russians’
In The News, 17 March 2020 Tags: United States, The Gulf Region, Russia
"Dr Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute, told the BBC the photos "probably prove" the tanker was attacked, but it was not clear what with. "
Gulf tanker attacks: Iran releases photos of 'attacked' ship
In The News, 14 October 2019 Tags: Iran, The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
"“If he [the prince] does meet people it will have to be on the sidelines,” said Michael Stephens, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London."
Will leaders shake his hand?
In The News, 25 November 2018 Tags: RUSI International, The Gulf Region, Middle East and North Africa
"“MBS needs to shore up regional support following an extremely difficult period, in which both his and the kingdom’s prestige and power have taken a serious blow,” said Michael Stephens, London-based RUSI research fellow for Middle East Studies. “It will no doubt be the first step in a series of measures to reassert his position on the world stage as a leader.""
Saudi Prince Visits Allies in First Trip Since Khashoggi Murder
In The News, 22 November 2018 Tags: RUSI International, The Gulf Region
"Militarily the UK's departure from the EU is unlikely to see a weakening of relations, said Peter Roberts, the director of military sciences at the influential Royal United Services Institute. "Political ambitions remain high [in the UK] and I think the UK's future will remain intertwined with the Gulf. There is a shared history and energy security, which the UK is hugely reliant on. "I don't see any change in term of permanent basing, rotation of forces or exercises either. The Gulf is one of the highest priority areas for the government.""
ANALYSIS: UK trading 'soft power' for hard cash in post-Brexit arms deals with Gulf
In The News, 29 March 2018 Tags: The Gulf Region, Military Sciences, Defence Policy, UK
Season Two: The Unwitting Accomplice?
Chinese Government Policy on Wildlife Trade: What Has Changed, What Has Not, and Why It Matters
The UK Ministry of Defence’s Adoption of the Government-Wide System for Project Approvals