The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown the air travel and tourism industries into their deepest crises in history, with global passenger traffic currently expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2024 at the earliest. This has a significant impact on the aviation and international tourism industry in the EU and the GCC given that these sectors […]

This research paper addresses the water security challenges in the GCC countries within the context of climate change. It highlights the climate change impacts on water security in these countries and their priority adaptation actions, as indicated by the countries’ national communication reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Nationally […]

Amal Al-Haddabi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Bussola Institute, argues that the historic agreement reached by the UAE to stop Israel from further annexation of Palestinian territory represents a continuation of the UAE’s role as a major supporter of the Palestinian people and their struggle to regain their legitimate rights and reflects its increasing […]

On Wednesday, 1st July 2020, members of the Honorary Advisory Board (HAB) of the Bussola Institute met via videolink to engage in public debate on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to consider its future implications, particularly in the context of European-Gulf relations. This short paper summarises members of the HAB’s contributions to the rich and diverse […]

On July 14, Ms Rosamaria Gili, Head of the Maghreb division at the European External Action Service, Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiations Affairs at the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Dr Abdullah K. Al-Saud, Assistant Professor at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, virtually gathered to discuss the […]

The impact of the COVID-19 upon the world in 2020 has been profound.  Measures to contain the spread of the virus have had, and continue to have, significant impact on the day to day lives of people.  Extremists and ideologues have been swift in their efforts to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to blame […]

What the EU and the GCC can do to revitalise Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been at the forefront of political debate concerning the Middle East region for more than 70 years.  Despite the latest US initiative, the international community seems unwilling and unable to make progress towards a comprehensive and equitable outcome […]

The world is experiencing the highest levels of human displacement ever, with over seventy million people affected around the world.  The conflicts in Syria and the wider Middle East have caused millions of people to flee their homes and livelihoods.  In 2016 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, recognising the need for increased global […]

The United Kingdom (UK) formally left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020.  This paper considers how relations between the EU, UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are likely to be affected by this important geopolitical development.  It suggests that, while many aspects of this triangular relationship are unlikely to change substantially, […]

The 2019 Annual Review provides an overview of the work the Bussola Institute carried out during 2019.  As the Chair of Bussola’s Board of Directors, HE Amal al-Haddabi observes: “2019 has proved to be an excellent first full year of operation for the Bussola Institute.  I am confident that this augurs well for the future […]