EPC | 22 Sep 2021
The UAE has witnessed foreign policy steps recently that many consider as turning points in its approaches to the outside world. The UAE National Security Advisor, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visits to Turkey and Qatar in August has highlighted such a change. These visits represented a sudden breakthrough in the UAE’s relations with both countries, considered tense in recent years. So, what has led to this turning point?
Ebtesam Al Ketbi, Noura Al Breiki, Yoel Guzansky, Shalom Lipner, Jonathan H. Ferziger, Sarah Feuer, Tomer Fadlon, and Ari Heistein | 30 Aug 2021
In the past year, many have written on the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, focusing on economic interests and emphasizing shared security interests in the region. Case studies, however, indicate that relations between countries are improved when they encompass aspects related to the lives of citizens. Incorporating an element of cultural affinity between countries, a dimension that is far less susceptible to abrupt transformation, can serve as a means to stabilize bilateral relations in the face of unforeseen challenges, shifts in regional dynamics, or changes in leadership.
Dr. Ebtesam al-Ketbi | 19 May 2021
The current round of conflict in Gaza Strip and Israel affirms the urgent need to find a just solution to the Palestinian issue. The fruits of the Abraham Accords will not be complete without finding a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue; a solution that gives Palestinians their legitimate national rights in a state with East Jerusalem as its capital. In exchange, this solution should provide Israelis with security and stability so that they can live in peace and prosperity in their state and in the region.
Kirsten Fontenrose, Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, and Udi Dekel | 01 Feb 2021
Nine joint recommendations from leading think tanks in the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Israel.
EPC | 12 Jan 2021
Israel is heading towards holding early elections, the fourth in less than two years, after the failure of the Likud and Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) parties to reach a settlement on the state’s budget, which would prevent the Israeli Knesset (parliament) from dissolving itself. Meanwhile, Gideon Saar’s split from Likud reversed the political balance in Israel, constituting a threat to Netanyahu’s renewed rise to power, especially after Water Resources Minister Zeev Elkin, who is close to Netanyahu, resigned and joined Saar.
Dr. Ebtesam al-Ketbi | 24 Sep 2020
It is safe to say that the new peace agreement between the UAE and Israel, officially signed at the White House on September 15, 2020, represents an important strategic shift, and a fundamental turning point for the long-running conflict between Arabs and Israel.
EPC | 31 Aug 2020
The falling levels of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers warn of an impending water crisis in Syria and Iraq, two countries engulfed in war and economic and political crises with no end in sight. The rivers – once the lifeblood of the two countries – have been reduced to swamps since Turkey and Iran constructed hydropower facilities that have considerably reduced the flow of the rivers. The situation has repercussions as dire as those of the wars in Syria and Iraq, in particular for demographic change and the destruction of the economy, since agriculture remains a major contributor to the GDP of both countries.
EPC | 21 Aug 2020
The peace treaty announced on 13 August 2020 between the UAE and Israel is expected to establish strong relations between the two sides in qualitative areas such as the economy, trade, medicine, health, and technology in general, and communications technology in particular, as well as cooperation in other technical fields. This will constitute a starting point and an opportunity to expand the horizons of cooperation in this regard and to strengthen the rapprochement between the countries of the region and the peace-loving powers therein.