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New Narratives of the Nation

History-telling and national identity formation in Saudi Arabia

Nowadays, national history and identity are being thought and written anew in Saudi Arabia, particularly as the influence accorded to Mohammad bin Abd al-Wahhab and the Wahhabi movement in the founding and expansion of the state is curtailed. This reduction of Wahhabism’s role and the associated exclusive focus on the Al Saud family are not as black and white as often described, however. The policy report explains how, why, and under which circumstances the Saudi historical narrative is changing under Vision 2030. The contribution argues that the new Saudi Arabia does not seek to establish a top-down, comprehensive founding myth for the nation. This new politics of history thus opens space for a variety of bottom-up historical narratives to exist alongside the Al Saud story.

Nicolas Reeves
February 22, 2026
Policy Reports
IMAGO / Depositphotos

From Vision 2030 to Zeitenwende

A blueprint for Saudi-German security cooperation

In today’s multipolar world, where shifting U.S. priorities mean Washington is no longer the sole global hegemon, middle powers with advanced technological capabilities now have greater space to lead. Saudi Arabia and Germany share an orientation toward technological innovation and seek to build strategic agency. Accordingly, natural potentials for partnership between the two countries exist in the defence and security space. This policy report outlines concrete steps for Saudi Arabia and Germany to deepen their defence cooperation. In doing so, the two countries can offer a blueprint for strengthening EU–GCC relations in security and defence, demonstrating how targeted bilateral initiatives can inspire more ambitious frameworks at the regional level.

Faris Almaari, Daniel Sidiqie
February 8, 2026
Policy Reports
IMAGO / Bashir Daher

New Yemen, New Gulf

The war in Yemen and the rift between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi

In the wake of the dramatic events in the Yemeni civil war at the turn of the year, the cards have been reshuffled between the regional powers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The military offensive by Emirati-backed separatists and the counterattack by the Yemeni government allied with Saudi Arabia are more than just another chapter in the war – they have caused tensions between the two Gulf monarchies to boil over. Not only has the long-simmering animosity between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi fully come to surface, but the conflict also makes another round of confrontations in the Gulf more likely. Moreover, it raises fundamental questions about stability in the Middle East, for which the Gulf states were in fact considered guarantors. In the Gulf, a new phase of politics could be dawning, with two opposing poles of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pursuing conflicting regional visions with the help of different coalition partners. Likewise, the breakdown of the former Saudi-UAE alliance is not without consequences for Europe's foreign policy in the Middle East, which so far relied on both protagonists as anchors of stability.

Philipp Dienstbier, Nicolas Reeves
February 5, 2026
Country reports

Drivers of Grassroots Social and Political Transformation: Enhancing Saudi-German underground art spheres

Enhancing Saudi-German underground art spheres

Underground cultures in art, politics, and philosophy play a pivotal role in shaping societal debates. Germany and Saudi Arabia both host vibrant underground communities comprised mainly of youth from diverse backgrounds. These communities have witnessed and accompanied entire social and political transformations in the past and can thus be considered drivers of grassroots societal progress and creative problem-solving through artistic collaborations. Given these similarities between the Saudi and German underground scenes, this policy report analyses opportunities and obstacles for closer cooperation between representatives of the countries’ respective underground scenes.

Antonia Thies
February 1, 2026
Policy Reports
APAimages, Imago

The First Year of Trump’s Second Term from the Gulf Perspective

Honeymoon and Black Eyes

After a promising start to US-Gulf relations under President Trump, security setbacks soon followed. Military escalations and diverging strategic priorities raise questions about the resilience of personal networks. What consequences will this have for the region’s stability?

Philipp Dienstbier
December 18, 2025
International Reports

State of Play: Strategic Competition and Regional Agency in the Gulf

Roundtable on great-power dynamics and middle-power manoeuvring in Qatar

As the global order shifts and rivalries intensify, the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have become a key arena where great-power dynamics intersect with a growing desire for regional agency and multi-alignment.

Nicolas Reeves
December 8, 2025
Event reports

Shared Interests, Shared Actions in Maritime Security

Securing the waterways around the Arabian Peninsula

Headlined by the Houthis and the Islamic Republic of Iran, threats to the waterways surrounding the Arabian Peninsula are more acute than ever. As these risks multiply, the traditional guarantor of maritime security the world over – the United States – preoccupies itself more and more with its own hemisphere, leaving the task of reliably safeguarding passage through Bab Al Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz increasingly in the hands of regional powers. How can Europe, the Gulf states, and other impacted countries work together to address this challenge?

Nicolas Reeves
November 10, 2025
Event reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

The UAE – (not) just another BRICS member?

Admission to BRICS strengthens the Emirates’ economic and foreign policy ambitions

Although the UAE seem like an unusual member of BRICS, the Emirates have embraced their admission to join the group in 2024. Being a BRICS-member furthers Abu Dhabi’s agenda to become an economic hub and is part and parcel of its diversified foreign relations. For Europe this should be a wake-up call.

Philipp Dienstbier
July 2, 2025
Country reports
DAFG

German Arab Gulf Dialogue on Security and Cooperation in Berlin

Dialogue even in times of crisis

Amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, leading representatives from the Gulf states and Germany gathered for the 7th German-Arab Gulf Dialogue organised by the KAS and DAFG. Although the conference focused on overcoming current challenges in the Middle East and Europe, it also highlighted opportunities and potential for closer cooperation: Especially in times of crisis, stronger cooperation between Germany and the Gulf states is necessary.

June 30, 2025
Event reports
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

US-Iran Talks at a Crossroads

Tehran’s Red Lines, Trumpian Maximum Pressure, and Regime Survival

Negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have reached a turning point. While Washington's position is continuously evolving, the regime in Teheran is hardly willing to make meaningful concessions. Shortly before the next round of talks, a resolution remains elusive.

Ali Fathollah-Nejad
May 22, 2025
Policy 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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