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IMAGO / Manfred Segerer

Escalation in the Red Sea

The military dimension, the deployment of the Bundeswehr and the calculus of regional players

The deployment of the frigate Hessen to the Red Sea was described in advance as the most dangerous deployment of the German navy in the history of the Bundeswehr and is aimed at protecting funda-mental national interests. This naval mission fundamentally challenges central assumptions and plans of Germany’s defence policy of the past two decades. A return of the Bundeswehr to East Africa was long considered just as unlikely as an air defence scenario against a non-state armed group. Now the Yemeni Houthi militia is confronting the US naval forces with a primarily Iranian arsenal of weapons that is clearly superior in quality to that of many other non-state armed groups. While in terms of de-fence policy, Europe is almost completely tied down along NATO's eastern flank, it is becoming appar-ent that the conflict-ridden region around the Red Sea could pose an additional security challenge in the long term and require additional commitment and resources. After all, the maritime trade route between the Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandab and access to the Indo-Pacific region are of key economic and security importance for Germany and Europe.

Philipp Dienstbier, Gregory Meyer, Nils Wörmer
February 28, 2024
Country Reports
Adobe Stock / Ricochet64

COP28: Too Big to Fail?

The World Climate Conference: A Litmus Test for the Paris Climate Agreement and a Guiderail for Future Climate Policy.

High expectations and deep rifts marked this year's COP28 world climate conference in Dubai. Nevertheless, the 198 negotiating parties managed to reach an agreement on the main point of contention, the transition away from fossil fuels, as well as the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund. Other issues, such as climate finance and adaptation to climate change, received less attention. The most recent Conference of the Parties also witnessed new momentum in negotiations between participating states and the formation of new alliances and groupings.

Veronika Ertl, Philipp Dienstbier, Karin Jancyková
January 10, 2024
Sustainability Monitor
IMAGO / Xinhua

Kuwait Before a Generational Change

A new era might dawn after the death of Emir Nawaf

Following the death of the Emir of Kuwait, a new ruler of almost the same age takes power in the Gulf emirate. The late Sheikh Nawaf ruled only briefly and will go down in history for his reconciliatory efforts with the opposition. The term of his successor Mishal is slated to mark a transition. After it, Kuwait will see a shift that could overcome years of political standstill: the passing of power to a new, younger generation of rulers, which has already taken place elsewhere in the Gulf. Thus, all eyes are already on the selection of the next crown prince. With the sons of the former and new emirs, two promising candidates are in the starting blocks - or will a third one win the race in the end?

Philipp Dienstbier, Marah Jamous
January 8, 2024
Country Reports
Author: Kalashae, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sheikh-Mohamed-bin-Zayed.jpg

Approaching or keeping distance?

An article in the Syria dossier of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in zenith magazine

Normalization with the Assad regime is aligned with the Gulf states' approach, managing conflicts in the region. However, they disagree on their Syria policy.

Philipp Dienstbier
December 21, 2023
Single title

Young Perspectives on Joint Cooperation

Enhancing the Saudi-German Academic Exchange

In cooperation with the Gulf Research Center, KAS brought together ten young researchers, five from Germany and five from Saudi Arabia, for an exchange of ideas about policy fields relevant to cooperation between the two countries. The result was an enlightening discussion that underlined the importance of convening representatives of the next generation of leaders in politics, academia, and culture in order to share their ideas about issues that will define international relations for years to come.

Nicolas Reeves
October 17, 2023
Event Reports

Domestic and Foreign Affairs Intertwined

German Foreign Policy in the Middle East and Implications for the Gulf States

In coordination with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, the Regional Programme Gulf States of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung organised a workshop on the foreign policy of the Federal Republic of Germany and its implications on the Gulf States. The expert insights delivered throughout the workshop provoked intense exchanges over differences between Saudi and German official viewpoints toward important issues and challenges facing Europe and the Middle East and North Africa. Participants from Saudi Arabia and Germany agreed on the fruitfulness of the dialogue’s frank nature, in addition to the need for the conversation to serve as a blueprint for future interactions between the two countries.

Nicolas Reeves
October 4, 2023
Event Reports
Cover page image: Yemen Saudi Aid ©picture alliance/AP Photo / Jon Gambrell Design and typesetting: KALUZA+SCHMID Studio GmbH

Gulf Humanitarianism in Flux

Arab Gulf Development Actors and their Development Policy Engagement – Backgrounds, Interests, Strategies and Potential for Cooperation

The Gulf Monarchies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, have emerged as significant players in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation, driven by their strategic interests. They employ grants, loans, and budget support to wield influence across regions like the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia, often extending support to governments loyal to them. Their involvement in development cooperation dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, resulting in well-established networks and expertise.

Sebastian Sons
September 24, 2023
Single title
Adobe Stock / UPI Photo

The Gulf goes BRICS

Gulf states form the core of the latest BRICS expansion

In a surprising expansion, three states from the Gulf region are now part of the BRICS group of states. The inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE is not a watershed event, but follows an already familiar pattern: middle powers in the Gulf and elsewhere strengthen their international position in the context of global great power rivalries. While Riyadh and Abu Dhabi seek to diversify their foreign policy relations, the regime in Tehran is once again trying to break through its international isolation. All three Gulf states are hoping for economic stimulus as well as a gain in power. The traditional BRICS agenda of establishing an alternative global financial and monetary system could also gain new momentum with three important energy exporters as new members.

Philipp Dienstbier
August 30, 2023
Country Reports
Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

Binding the Ties that Bind

Commercial Banks and Political-Economic Links between Saudi Arabia and Jordan

The policy report examines the economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, focusing on the role of commercial banks as crucial intermediaries. It discusses how Saudi investments, ownership stakes, and loans through Jordanian banks facilitate the flow of Saudi capital into various sectors in Jordan, including real estate. The report emphasises that these financial connections extend beyond governments, involving businesses and citizens, and strengthen the political relationship between the two countries. This intricate web of financial interactions demonstrates the significance of Saudi Arabia's influence on Jordan's economy and society, reaching into everyday life.

Nicolas Reeves
August 9, 2023
Policy Reports
Adobe Stock / Vitalii Vodolazskyi

Saudi Arabia: After Iran, now Israel?

New Conditions for a Saudi-Israeli Rapprochement

It would be the deal of the century - but so far it is still a long way off. An agreement between Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States on the recognition of the Jewish state by the guardian of Islam's holiest sites would be a political earthquake in the region and beyond. Not only could it transform the already existing unofficial cooperation between Israel and Saudi Arabia into a new regional political alliance while also complicating the recent rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It might also cement the decades-old alliance between Riyadh and Washington and counter current trends in international geopolitics, particularly the Gulf states' strategic orientation toward China. But while U.S. policymakers are already dreaming of a foreign policy coup, major hurdles to rapprochement remain: Riyadh wants advanced weapons, a civilian nuclear program and security guarantees from the United States. And last but not least, concessions from Israel in the conflict with the Palestinians.

Philipp Dienstbier
August 9, 2023
Country Reports
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Country Reports

Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.

Event Reports

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, its educational institutions, centres and foreign offices, offer several thousand events on various subjects each year. We provide up to date and exclusive reports on selected conferences, events and symposia at www.kas.de. In addition to a summary of the contents, you can also find additional material such as pictures, speeches, videos or audio clips.

Policy Reports

Analyses of current topics in the Gulf region

The Policy Reports of the Regional Programme Gulf States offer insights and analyses on current developments in the Gulf States and the Gulf region at large. They contribute to a better understanding of the region and serve as a platform for German, European and the Gulf scholars to exchange and disseminate ideas and knowledge about the region for the broader policy community.

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