Politics & Security | Bussola Institute

The End of a Long Period of Tense Relations

Last week marked a turning point in the diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey as the two countries signed technology and energy cooperation agreements worth billions of dollars. The Memorandums of Understanding were signed during Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan's visit to Ankara, his first diplomatic visit to Turkey in several years.

November 30, 2021

Politics

A Convergence of Strategic Views

During an official visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Annette Weber, the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, gave an exclusive interview to Arab News. This interview was a unique opportunity to touch on the diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the European Union (UE) and the interests shared by the two allies, particularly in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

November 25, 2021

Politics

Historic Energy Agreement

The United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Jordan have announced their intention to embark on a large-scale cooperation project to build a solar plant in the Jordanian desert.

November 23, 2021

Politics, Security

GULF CHOICES BETWEEN US-CHINA RELATIONS

The Wall Street Journal has reported there are mounting concerns within the US security establishment over the UAE’s relations with China and how these may bear on the proposed sale of 50 F-35 fighter aircraft along with 18 Reaper drones.

May 27, 2021

Politics

TURKEY INVESTMENT IN OMAN

This week Oman signed an agreement with a senior trade delegation from Turkey aimed at increasing Turkish investment in Oman’s Duqm economic zone. The agreement is intended to fulfil long-held ambitions to deepen the economic relationship between the two countries. It also seems intended, at least in part, to demonstrate that Turkey is not as isolated in the Arab world, and particularly in the Gulf.

May 26, 2021

Politics, Security

GULF WATER PRESSURES

According to a 2017 World Bank Report, all six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are amongst the 17 most ‘water-stressed’ countries in the world. This finding may not seem that surprising. The Gulf region is hot and dry so water supplies are naturally limited. However, a combination of economic expansion and the impact of climate change is predicted to make the situation even more acute, leading some analysts to conclude that water scarcity will ultimately lead to regional conflict.

May 20, 2021

Politics, Security

ABRAHAM ACCORDS UNDER PRESSURE OVER JERUSALEM VIOLENCE

The leaders of the Gulf states that signed the Abraham Accords with Israel last September have united in their criticism of the mounting levels of violence in and around Jerusalem over recent days. In a statement, the UAE “expressed concern over the acts of violence in the occupied East Jerusalem.” He also reiterated the UAE leadership’s “condemnation of all forms of violence and hatred which contravene with all human values and principles and which underlines the importance of putting an end to all aggressions and practices that exacerbate tension and wrath in the sacred city and to stop all acts that violate the sanctity of the Holy al-Aqsa mosque."

May 14, 2021

Politics, Security

WILL NEW TALKS WITH IRAN SALVAGE THE NUCLEAR ACCORD?

The latest round of international nuclear talks with Iran got underway in Vienna today. These latest JCPOA negotiations come against the backdrop of recent direct talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia: the first in many years that indicate a potential de-escalation of the cross-Gulf tensions that have dominated the region for the past decade.

May 11, 2021

Politics, Security

SAUDI-IRAN RAPPROCHEMENT: RUMOURS AROUND THE GULF

Against the backdrop of continuing efforts to achieve a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, on 2 May it was announced that King Salman of Saudi Arabia has invited the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, to make an official visit to the Kingdom.

May 5, 2021

COVID-19, OIL PRICE CONTRACTION AND ENERGY TRANSITION: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GCC STATES AND EUROPE

AN AGENDA FOR EUROPE-GULF DEFENCE COOPERATION

DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR AFRICA: EU AND GCC CONVERGENCES

A DETAILED ANATOMY OF EU-GCC TRADE RELATIONS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

DIVERSIFYING RELATIONSHIPS: RUSSIAN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ITS IMPACT ON THE GCC

EU AND GCC AVIATION AND TOURISM: FROM A HISTORIC CRISIS TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY