Qatar

commentary

Implementing Arab Gulf Reconciliation

As the Arab Gulf states prepare to engage with a new U.S. administration, their recent reconciliation announcement offers an opportunity to advance their interests as well as mutual interests with the United States. But the Gulf states' intent to end their feud will very likely not be sufficient unless the agreement is deepened through confidence-building measures and expanded by reaching a parallel understanding with Turkey.

Jeffrey Martini

blog

Refugees, Brexit, Cannabis: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on how Syrian refugees can contribute to local economies, prospects for Brexit, marijuana legalization, and more.

commentary

Time for Quiet Diplomacy, Not Taking Sides

Disputes within the Gulf Cooperation Council are inevitable given differing threat perceptions and political interests, but there is no reason for the U.S. to pursue policies that aggravate the differences and risk fueling greater instability. Instead, Washington could assure both sides that it will support any agreement they reach.

Dalia Dassa Kaye, Jeffrey Martini

commentary

It's Too Soon to Write Off the Arab Spring as a Failure

Pessimistically declaring the Arab Spring a failure in 2016 would be as naive as optimistically declaring it a success in 2011. Something comes next—but what?

Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson

announcement

RAND's Shelly Culbertson Publishes Book on Middle East After the Arab Spring

A new book by RAND's Shelly Culbertson mixes travel memoir, reporting, and analysis across six Middle Eastern countries, presenting diverse experiences of the Arab Spring.

commentary

America's Great Yellow School Buses

One of the things taken for granted in the United States is the vast network of school buses—about 26 million children ride 480,000 buses every day. But in other parts of the world, getting millions of children to and from the right school, on time, safely, and for a reasonable cost is a significant challenge.

Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson

commentary

The Middle East's Science Revolution?

Even as conflict rages, a wave of research and innovation in Arabian Gulf countries is bringing with it significant investment in science and research infrastructure — and even U.S.-style universities, writes Shelly Culbertson.

Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson

commentary

Putting the Spring in the Arab Spring

Qatar has a salsa scene. Dubai hosted the big international Fujairah Latin Festival. The Oman Salsa Festival took place in March. Jordan and Cairo both have a salsa scene. What makes this so conversation-worthy is that it is indicative of a growing cultural openness in parts of the Middle East.

Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson

commentary

RAND Extends Global Reach of Innovation

Stimulating innovation is important to the economic growth of all countries, regardless of their stages of development, writes Michael D. Rich. RAND is helping each country drive innovation in different ways.

Michael D. Rich @michaeldrich