Interview with Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis
The women of Saudi Arabia will be allowed to vote for the first time in 2015. Why not already today in the current local elections? Abdelmoula Boukhraiss discussed this topic with the well-known Saudi Arabian civil rights activist and journalist Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis in London More »
New Line of Succession to the Saudi Throne
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has named Naif bin Abdelaziz, 77, as crown prince and deputy prime minister, a choice that raises concerns about the direction in which the conservative prince will take the kingdom. By Mai Yamani More »
Interview with the Saudi Arabian Blogger Ahmed al Omran
Ahmed al Omran is one of Saudi Arabia's most popular bloggers. In this interview with Benno Müchler, he explains why people in Saudi Arabia do not have an inclination to revolt, and assesses the prospects for political reform in the country More »
Unrest in Bahrain
Relations between the opposition and the government, which is under the control of the Sunni royal family, continue to deteriorate. There have even been some calls for the overthrow of the monarchy. Sabine Damir-Geilsdorf investigates the historical roots of the uprising More »
Political Protests in Bahrain
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa has so far dealt with the protest movement in the Gulf state with the utmost severity. Now the authoritarian monarch is increasingly coming under pressure to introduce democratic reforms. Birgit Svensson reports from Manama More »
Sultan Qaboos bin Said
As reform protests grow in the Sultanate, it's worth remembering that its ruler doesn't deserve to be mentioned among the worst of the Arabian autocrats. By Robert Kaplan More »
The Arab Uprising in the Gulf Region
Bahrain's King declares a state of emergency, the Sultan of Oman sacks ministers following demonstrations: Protests in the Arab world are also unsettling the remaining four oil monarchies on the Gulf. Just how secure is the situation there? Christoph Dreyer investigates More »
Unrest in the Arab World
The uprising in Manama differs from the recent mass protests that toppled long-time rulers in North Africa. In his essay, Barak Barfi expresses the opinion that sectarianism and the security forces' complete loyalty to the monarchy seriously diminishes the likelihood of peaceful regime change in Bahrain More »
Interview with Lebanese Political Scientist Khattar Abou Diab
Relations between Iran and its Arab neighbours have reached an all time low following the military intervention by the Arab Gulf states in Bahrain. But, warns Lebanese political scientist Khattar Abou Diab, it is unlikely that tensions can be contained at the diplomatic level should any further escalation occur. He talks here to Tarek Anegay More »
The anger of the Tunisians and the Egyptians towards the autocratic regimes in their countries has triggered an unprecedented revolt in several states in the Arab world. Our dossier provides an insight into the factors that led to the unrest and an overview of current developments
