China’s Economic Ties to the Gulf

Comparisons with EU and US Economic Relations

The policy report examines China's increasing economic engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries compared to the EU and the United States. It highlights China's pursuit of energy resources and the GCC's reliance on importing industrial goods, leading to significant trade imbalances. China aims to deepen its ties with the GCC for energy security, while the GCC seeks to diversify its economic partners. The report also explores the foreign direct investments (FDI) of China, the EU, and the US in the GCC and Iran. Overall, the competition for energy imports and exports of goods underscores the global importance of these economic relations and their implications on global stability.

Emirati Women on the Rise

The Impact of Globalisation and Higher Education on the Key Social Institutions of Marriage and Family in the UAE

This policy report examines the influence of globalisation and higher education on Emirati society, particularly on marriage and family dynamics. The report highlights the rise of mixed marriages between Emirati citizens and foreign nationals and explores the implications on national identity, fertility rates, and divorce rates. It discusses the UAE government's efforts to support Emirati women's empowerment, challenges faced by women in mixed marriages, and the evolving role of women in society. The report concludes that the UAE is making strides in promoting gender equality and emphasises the critical role Emirati women will play in shaping the nation's future.

Global Energy Markets and a Strategic Shift in the Gulf

Global energy shortages as an instrument of power

Since Russia's attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the oil- and gas-rich Gulf states have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the global energy shortages caused by the halt in Russian oil and gas supplies to most Western countries. In the absence of alternative producers, the Gulf states have come back into focus as strategically important energy exporters. This has not only increased the geopolitical relevance of the oil and gas suppliers of the Arabian Peninsula, it has also provided them with considerable profits due to exploding energy prices and thus strengthened the financial influence of the Gulf states.

Old partners, new alliances?

The "German-Arab Gulf Dialogue" for the first time at the KAS

Amidst geostrategic shifts, economic upheavals and looming challenges of global climate and energy policy, high-ranking politicians from the Gulf states and Germany met for the fifth "German-Arab Gulf Dialogue on Security and Cooperation", the flagship event of KAS, the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS) and the German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG). During two days of open and honest discussions, one question was dominating the agenda: How can the partnership between Germany and the Gulf States be strengthened?

Diplomatic Thaw in the Gulf?

The Iranian-Saudi rapprochement, implications for the region, and China's newfound role as a Middle East mediator

After more than seven years without diplomatic relations, Iran and Saudi Arabia surprisingly announced a foreign policy rapprochement in Beijing. Is this a turning point in the Iranian-Saudi rivalry, which has broad repercussions in the region from Iraq to Lebanon to Yemen? The agreement between the two Gulf adversaries is an attempt by Iran to break its international isolation and the result of a changing Saudi foreign policy. Meanwhile, China is challenging the U.S. for its influence as the traditional dominant power in the Gulf.

GADR and KAS Cooperate in Hadhramaut, Yemen

The Global Aid for Development and Rights (GADR) organized with KAS’s support a workshop on food security and a capacity building training program for a number of CSOs in Hadhramaut, Yemen on fund raising.

KAS and SIG Launched the Gulf States Economic Diversification Barometer Portal

The “Gulf States Economic Diversification Barometer” was launched on November 13th, 2022 in Muscat, Oman. The launching event, held by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the Smart Investment Gateway (SIG) highlighted the importance of the barometer, not only in terms of tracking the level of diversification in the region, but also as a benchmarking tool between Gulf states and a reliable source of data and information for researchers and policy makers, as highlighted by Dr. Yousuf Al-Baloushi, founder and CEO of SIG. The barometer also adheres with KAS’s work in the Gulf regions and its commitment to supporting economic development within the framework of the social market, as emphasized by Dr. Canan Atilgan, Head of the Department of Middle East and North Africa at KAS.

Community building in the Kuwaiti desert

As part of the AWAKEN project, the closing event was held in Kuwait on 25 November 2022.

With the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), en.v - a civil society organization that aims to strengthen communities and empower youth in Kuwait - together with several other civil society organizations such as Trashtag, organized the final event of the AWAKEN project on 25 November 2022.

Omani Women Political Participation: Elections’ Challenges and Electors’ Confidence

This study sheds light on the challenges hindering Omani female political participation. In fact, even though Omani women have been enjoying the right to vote and run for parliament since 1994, female representation remains weak, never exceeding 2%. Relying on open-ended interviews and focus groups, the study establishes that above all, cultural and societal norms continue to hinder female political participation. A holistic approach is recommended to support female political participation, pertaining not only to electoral systems and national policymaking, but also to training and development as well as awareness-raising.

“Die Golfküste ist ein Wattenmeer“, ein Interview mit Hans-Jörg Barth

Geograf Hans-Jörg Barth über Ölkatastrophen, fleißige Krustentiere – und wie der Naturraum Persischer Golf zu retten ist.