Conservative Monarchies in a Transforming Region

In the 21st century, the monarchies of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE – the group of countries constituting the GCC – have emerged as one of the most dynamic and fast-changing regions of the world.

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The Sectarian Gulf vs. the Arab Spring

Barring that, the sectarian civil war that is now effectively stretching from Beirut to Basra may come back to haunt the Gulf states and their Western supporters.

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Essay for Monocle Magazine

In Syria the West is effectively fighting a proxy war alongside the Gulf States – particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar – against the Assad regime and its allies Iran and Russia. But is it wise to team up with one dictatorship to topple another one?

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