Commentary

Abraham Accords Offer Historic Opportunity to Spur Mideast Growth

The Abraham Accords have heralded a dramatic shift in the relationship between Israel and the Muslim nations of the world. While these accords represent a major political breakthrough, they also represent a possible new chapter in the region's development: away from conflict and toward a shared economic vision of prosperity.

Mar 25, 2021
Commentary

What the UAE Weapons Deal Says About the United States and Its Alliances

Various U.S. administrations have long wanted U.S. allies to do more, but in many parts of the world the most logical partners are authoritarian states with different interests than those of the United States. The sale of military equipment to the United Arab Emirates provides just the latest example.

Mar 1, 2021
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.

Jan 27, 2021
Blog

Radicalization, the Gender Pay Gap, Israel-UAE Deal: RAND Weekly Recap

This weekly recap focuses on the potential for a new era of radicalization, insights into the gender pay gap, why the Israel-UAE deal doesn't merit the hype, and more.

Aug 21, 2020
Commentary

Why Israel-UAE Deal Doesn't Merit the Hype

Some have called the Israel-UAE normalization agreement a geopolitical earthquake. But the hyperbole is not warranted; this deal is unlikely to be a strategic game changer in the Middle East.

Aug 18, 2020
Report

Air Passenger Transmission Risk to GCC Countries Originated from Outside the Region

Analyses contradict the idea that Iran was most responsible for the spread of COVID-19 to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Jun 5, 2020
Journal Article

Food Security in the Gulf Cooperation Council

This report characterizes food security in GCC countries, documents the strategies they have taken to facilitate domestic food production and imports, and considers these strategies under scenarios with high versus low risk of supply disruption.

Nov 28, 2018
Commentary

A Persistent and Resilient Adversary: Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula

The history of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula catalogues every dimension of frustration in combatting terrorism. But is it possible that the United States and its Gulf allies are finally getting the measure of AQAP?

Aug 22, 2016
News Release

Cooperation Among the Arab Gulf States Is Key to U.S. Interests and Regional Stability, Despite Friction

The increased influence of Arab Gulf states in regional affairs such as the fighting in Syria and the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen has raised the stakes for relations between the six nations and poses significant consequences for stability.

Jul 28, 2016
Report

The Outlook for Arab Gulf Cooperation

Understanding what binds and divides the six Gulf Cooperation Council states can help policymakers prepare for future trends in a region with high stakes for U.S. strategic interests.

Jul 26, 2016
Blog

A New Middle East: Rhodes Scholars, Not Radicals

United Arab Emirates Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba visited RAND to discuss what he sees as the UAE's progress as an emerging power in the Middle East and a reliable ally of the West. Despite threats to the region, the next generation of young people is spreading a culture of optimism, opportunity, and openness.

Jun 2, 2016
Multimedia

A Conversation with His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States

In this Events @ RAND podcast, Ambassador Al Otaiba describes his vision for a stable, tolerant, and prosperous Middle East.

Jun 1, 2016
Commentary

The Next Generation of Leaders in the Gulf

The face of leadership in the Gulf is getting younger. There are reasons not to assume that the Gulf's young leaders will gravitate to democratization. But their rise does provide an opportunity for a much-needed update to U.S. strategy in the region.

Feb 15, 2016
Report

Airpower in the Libyan Civil War

In 2011, a coalition of nations waged a war against Muammar Qaddafi's regime that reversed the tide of Libya's civil war. The intervention's central element was a relatively small air campaign. What lessons did each nation glean from the experience?

Jul 8, 2015
Journal Article

Prioritizing Environmental Health Risks in the UAE

A five-stage process that includes quantitative risk assessment by experts and deliberations by groups of stakeholders appears to provide an effective basis for developing a strategic plan that addresses environmental risks.

Dec 31, 2009
Report

Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates: Executive Summary

Overview of the education and labor market initiatives under way in four Arab nations -- Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates -- to address the challenges of developing their human capital for the 21st century global economy.

Dec 21, 2008
Research Brief

Addressing Human Capital Challenges: Assessing the Experiences of Four Countries in the Arab Region (Arabic Version)

This research brief describes an analysis of the reform efforts of four Arab region nations (Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates) in response to human capital challenges they face in preparing their people to work in a global environment.

Nov 2, 2008
Research Brief

Addressing Human Capital Challenges: Assessing the Experiences of Four Countries in the Arab Region

This research brief describes an analysis of the reform efforts of four Arab region nations (Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates) in response to human capital challenges they face in preparing their people to work in a global environment.

Oct 11, 2008
Report

Four Countries in the Middle East Face the Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century

Education and labor market initiatives are under way in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to address challenges of developing the human capital of their populations for the 21st century global economy, though better evaluation of the implemented reforms will be needed to determine their efficacy.

Oct 7, 2008