Arab Gulf Research Articles

Beyond vulnerability: contextualizing migrant worker views on rights and wellbeing in the Gulf Arab states

This paper examines migrant workers’ subjective views of their rights and wellbeing in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar. Since the announcement of the World Cup, Qatar has been roundly criticized for the living and working conditions of the low-wage migrant workers responsible for building the country’s social and economic infrastructure. These critiques, however, either emphasize individual migrant experiences of mistreatment or the kafala migration regime that regulates migration and employment. Few quantitative and representative studies ask migrants how they understand and experience their rights and wellbeing, or how these views have changed as the country has embarked on key labor law reforms in response to international pressure. Therefore, we present results from a large-scale, nationally representative survey of low-wage migrant workers conducted in labor accommodations over four years, supplemented by a separate phone survey. The analysis emphasizes the views of migrants—including satisfaction with rights, awareness of rights, fulfillment of contracts, and quality of life—which are critical to successful policy implementation. We examine the objective factors that best explain these views and study the interaction between subjective and objective wellbeing dimensions. The results inform scholarly understandings of the living and working conditions of migrants and provide essential context for questions surrounding migrant rights and global justice in temporary labor migration regimes.

Are the Arab Gulf States Ready for HIV/AIDS Discussions? A Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Abstract Introduction There is a lack of awareness of HIV/AIDS nature, mode of transmission, and prevention amongst Muslims, with socio-cultural and religious factors contributing to the lack of awareness. This research was aimed at examining people’s perceptions and views of HIV/AIDS awareness content in the Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) region. Methods We performed a qualitative thematic analysis of comments posted on an HIV/AIDS educational video by “Salamatak” programme in the GCC region on three social media platforms (YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram). Results A total of 486 comments were included in the analysis. Public responses to HIV/AIDS awareness content varied depending on perceived commonality of HIV and religiosity in the GCC community. Some comments were against the video, and public outrage towards the video content prevailed. The main reasons for this outrage were the absence of the moral/religious message and lack of cultural sensitivity. However, some comments supported a harm reduction approach, emphasising that the promotion of abstinence only is unrealistic and ineffective for HIV prevention. It was apparent from the public’s response to the video that stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS are highly prevalent in the community. Conclusions Religiously and culturally sensitive sexual health content is lacking in the region, and the need for tailored intervention was highlighted in our findings. Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV are common in the GCC countries. Policy Implications A collaborative effort between policymakers, public health practitioners, opinion makers, and researchers is needed to tackle the HIV epidemic and reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in the region.

Trade in the Ports of Bushire, Khorramshahr, Bandar Abbas, Bahrain, Kuwait and Muscat in 1936 A Study Based on Frank Todd’s Report

This article deals with the commercial conditions in the Arab Gulf region in 1936 based on the report prepared by Frank Todd, the British Vice Consul in Bushire. This paper studied only six Gulf ports included in the report, three of which were on the eastern bank of the Arabian Gulf, namely Bushire, Khorramshahr, Bandar Abbas, and three Arab ports, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat. The study provides a clear and integrated picture of their commercial conditions, especially in terms of trade movement, participating countries, exchanged commodities, and financial statements related to exports and imports in terms of increase or decrease. The most prominent finding of this paper was the continuation of British trade in those ports, but not at the level desired by the British government, as its trade witnessed a decline in some ports due to international competition, especially from Japan.

A systematic review on factors influencing learning management system usage in Arab gulf countries.

Although the successful implementation of the Learning Management System (LMS) in most of the universities in the Arab Gulf Countries (AGC), little consideration has been paid to exploring LMS usage. This paper provides a systematic review of the current literature focusing on the most critical factors influencing LMS usage in AGC. The extant literature was identified through six electronic databases from 2013 to 2023. Academic articles were reviewed if they contained a relevant discussion of the factors influencing LMS acceptance and adoption conducted in AGC. Results from a systematic review of 34 studies showed that 15 studies were centred in Saudi Arabia. The results also, revealed that Technology Acceptance Model was the dominant model employed, and students were the main subject of studies. Moreover, the quantitative approach was the preferred design. Overall, forty-one factors were identified, and the results show that the following eight factors appear most frequently: Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Social Influence, Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Facilitating Conditions, Self-efficacy, and Attitude. This review will be valuable for future research and helpful for higher education decision-makers who intend to use eLearning to overcome the challenges they face in using LMS effectively.

Regional Hegemony over the Security of the Arab Gulf States: A Case Study of Iran and Turkey (2003-2020)

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the role of regional powers, specifically Iran and Turkey, in exerting dominance over the security of the Arab Gulf states. It also seeks to identify the geographical extensions, drivers, and determinants of this role during the period from 2003 to 2020. Methods: The study utilizes the theory of Regional Hegemony, as it is a crucial framework for explaining international relations, interactions, and phenomena within a specific regional context. Results: Significant developments since 2003, such as the change of the Iraqi regime, the rise of non-state actors like the Houthis in Yemen, the Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Arab Spring events in 2010, and the emergence of terrorist organizations like (ISIS), have contributed to a fragile and tense regional environment. These factors have led to chaos, conflicts, and alliances among major regional powers, namely Iran and Turkey, as well as international actors like Russia and the United States. These powers have intervened in the region, claiming to establish international peace and security while combating terrorism. It highlights the significance of examining the theory of hegemony and its implications for the security of the Arab Gulf states. Conclusions: The expansion of Iran and Turkey in the region, accompanied by a shift from defensive realism to offensive realism, suggests an attempt to dominate and pose a threat to other Gulf countries. It is supported by an analysis of their positions and the arguments presented to justify their interventions as peaceful

The Future of Security in the Middle East

Middle East PolicyEarly View SYMPOSIUM The Future of Security in the Middle East Douglas A. Silliman, Douglas A. SillimanSearch for more papers by this authorMary Beth Long, Mary Beth LongSearch for more papers by this authorDavid B. Des Roches, David B. Des RochesSearch for more papers by this authorAsha Castleberry-Hernandez, Asha Castleberry-HernandezSearch for more papers by this authorBassima Alghussein, Bassima AlghusseinSearch for more papers by this author Douglas A. Silliman, Douglas A. SillimanSearch for more papers by this authorMary Beth Long, Mary Beth LongSearch for more papers by this authorDavid B. Des Roches, David B. Des RochesSearch for more papers by this authorAsha Castleberry-Hernandez, Asha Castleberry-HernandezSearch for more papers by this authorBassima Alghussein, Bassima AlghusseinSearch for more papers by this author First published: 28 May 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12692 The following is an edited transcript of the 112th in a series of Capitol Hill conferences convened by the Middle East Policy Council. The event, co-hosted by the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, took place on April 21, 2023, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington. Council President Richard J. Schmierer provided opening remarks. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

A Migrant Experience of Gulf Malayalees in Deepak Unnikrishnan’s Temporary People

Abu Dhabi-based writer Unnikrishnan, originally from Kerala, explores the precarity and transience of migrant groups in his Gulf immigrant tales. Research was done to determine the issues that Indian migrant workers encounter in the Gulf states. In 2015, the UAE surpassed Saudi Arabia as India's most important Gulf destination market. C. (Chanda & Gupta) Although laws and programs have prioritized and safeguarded the well-being of Indian migrants, they are not limited to this group and are available to Gulf migrants as well. The sponsorship system, also known as Nizam al Kafala, governs and keeps tabs on the dynamic between migrants and their employers. The kafeel, or sponsor, is legally responsible for the worker in this kind of international contract migration. Humanitarian concerns inspired an initial trial of the system, which had a tight coupling of the work permit and the resident permit. The Kafala has eased several restrictions on foreign employees, including the need that they get exit visas from the Kafeel. The stories and experiences of Gulf Malayalee migrants were the focus of ethnographic and literary research into the lives of Arab Gulf migrants. However, the use of fiction to better comprehend migrant experiences is a relatively uncharted territory in the field of migration studies. This essay uses Deepak Unnikrishnan's Temporary People to examine the plight of emigrant Gulf Malayalees.

Previously Undiagnosed Anemia and Iron Deficiency Anemia among Preschool Children at Taif City

Introduction: In the Arab Gulf countries, anemia, including iron deficiency anemia )IDA(, considered one of the main public health problems. Although, the World Health Organization reported that IDA as the most common type of anemia, which made up half of all anemic cases all over the world, there were limited research performed among preschool children about anemia in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed anemia and IDA among children between 2 to 6 years old. In this study, several risk factors that might contribute to the high prevalence of anemia were assessed. Methods: The study was carried out in Taif city during the period from January 2023 to April 2023. Blood samples were collected from 200 preschool children and analyzed for hematological parameters as well as related biochemistry tests to investigate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed anemia and IDA. Results: The majority of the study participants were Saudi 99% and aged 4 to 6 years 72.5%. Most of children participants, 92.5% had normal haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and normal levels of red blood cells (RBCs) and normal hematocrit indicating their non-anemia health status. In this study, previously undiagnosed anemia were reported within 6% of children indicated by low Hb concentration, low RBC count and abnormal low hematocrit level. Out of these undiagnosed anemic children, there were 25% diagnosed with IDA. Conclusions: Since, anemia and IDA are still a public health problem among preschool children in Saudi Arabia this study suggested that the hematological blood examination should be done to students as a requirement before school which may reveal the presence of previously undiagnosed anemia and might associated with low mantle and functional performance among children. Moreover, further studies are recommended at all regions of the Kingdome to investigate the underlying related risk factors, which will provide more insight ....

Phishing Attacks on Cryptocurrency Investors in the Arab States of the Gulf

With the rapid development of technology in all fields, including the financial field, people have flocked to invest in cryptocurrencies, sometimes without prior knowledge or experience. This has prompted hackers to prey on inexperienced investors through many types of fraud and attacks, especially phishing attacks. Cryptocurrency investment transactions take place without intermediaries such as banks and monetary institutions. Investing in cryptocurrencies is a form of peer-to-peer transaction and takes place without the involvement of physical wallets. This study addresses cases where people may become victims of phishing attacks due to the nature of cryptocurrency investments. The aim of this study was to understand the concepts of various phishing attacks on cryptocurrencies and to measure the awareness of cryptocurrency investors in the Arab Gulf countries regarding the security risks associated with cryptocurrency investments. This research was conducted by distributing a questionnaire among cryptocurrency investors and collecting and analyzing all the survey responses. The results reveal a lack of awareness about how to deal with the security risks associated with cryptocurrency investments. The research concludes that the majority of cryptocurrency investors are unaware of how to deal with phishing attacks. Finally, we address future research directions and recommend actions that can be taken to increase investors’ awareness of this issue.

Global hidden factors predicting financial distress in Gulf Arab states: a quantile–time–frequency analysis

PurposeThis study aims to uncover the main predictors of financial distress in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries using a wide range of global factors and asset classes.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses novel approaches that take into account extreme events as well as the nonlinear behavior of time series over various time intervals (i.e. short, medium and long term) and during boom and bust episodes. This study primarily uses the conditional value at risk (CoVaR), the quantile multivariate causality test and the partial wavelet coherence method. The data collection period ranges from March 2014 to September 2022.FindingsUS T-bills and gold are the primary factors that can increase financial stability in the GCC region, according to VaRs and CoVaRs. More proof of the predictive value of the oil, gold and wheat markets, as well as geopolitical tensions, uncertainty over US policy and volatility in the oil and US equities markets, is provided by the multivariate causality test. When low extreme quantiles or cross extreme quantiles are taken into account, these results are substantial and sturdy. Lastly, after adjusting for the effect of crude oil prices, this study’s wavelet coherence results indicate diminished long-run connections between the GCC stock market and the chosen global determinants.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the implications of the author’s research for decision makers, there are some limitations mainly related to the selection of Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) GCC ex-Saudi Arabia. Considering the economic importance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the region, the author believes that it would be better to include this country in the data to obtain more robust results. In addition, there is evidence in the literature of the existence of heterogeneous responses to global shocks; some markets are more vulnerable than others. This is another limitation of this study, as this study considers the GCC as a bloc rather than each country individually. These limitations could open up further research opportunities.Originality/valueThese findings are important for investors seeking to manage their portfolios under extreme market conditions. They are also important for government policies aimed at mitigating the impact of external shocks.

A SURVEY OF EMI AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE ARAB GULF: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES

While an abundance of fossil fuels has helped Gulf Arab countries develop rapidly over the past several decades, governments in the region have invested heavily in education, science, and technology relatively recently as a means to diversify their economies in order to ensure their continued growth. In the process, English, as the perceived language of science and technology, has been adopted as the medium of instruction (EMI) in most tertiary institutions. This paper describes how EMI has developed in these countries and the achievements and challenges to date. Recommendations to address these challenges are also given.

Religious tolerance in the Arab Gulf states: Christian organizations, soft power, and the politics of sustaining the “family–state” beyond the rentier model

Abstract The states of the Arabian Gulf present a novel case for the examination of relations between authoritarian governance and Christian organizations. The economic clout of the Gulf states has been central to political stability and legitimacy but they are increasingly seeking to expand and consolidate the soft power and resilience through political and diplomatic initiatives. This article examines how the Christian organizations established in recent decades by large migrant communities are incorporated into this strategy and how they are responding. It argues that religious tolerance has formed a central discourse in governmental policies and narratives that construct the Gulf states as modern progressive nations, despite their unique political systems based mainly on constitutional monarchies with limited political participation. This constructs local Christian communities as a source of soft power, despite their position as a religious minority.

The impact of COVID-19 on the Persian Gulf: the realist perspective

This article aims to show the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on international relations and state policy in the Persian Gulf through the prism of realism theory. COVID-19 became a game changer for the domestic politics of the Persian Gulf countries and for the balance of power in that subregion. The application of realism reveals the statecraft of the Arab Persian Gulf during the pandemic to be a struggle for power and its consolidation. Therefore the hypothesis of the article holds that the authoritarian Arab Gulf states used the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis to consolidate and strengthen regime power and conduct humanitarian/mask/COVID-19 diplomacy toward the regimes most affected by the pandemic, shifting the geopolitical landscape. The first part of the article presents the general assumption of the analysis and the theoretical framework. The second and the third respectively discuss domestic and foreign policies of the Arab Persian Gulf states in the face of the pandemic, highlighting strengthening authoritarian tendencies and authoritarian bilateral cooperation. The fourth part relate to the Gulf Cooperation Council and its reaction on COVID-19. The last part draws on the theoretical framework adopted in the article offer conclusions that answer research questions.

The Geopolitics of The Global Energy Transition and its Implications on The Arab Gulf Region: A Review

The Geopolitics of The Global Energy Transition and its Implications on The Arab Gulf Region: A Review

The International Energy Agency and its Role in the Global Oil Market

The energy is very essential way to fulfill man various need. It is the main nerve for economical and industrial development. Since the beginning of the world and most war that man made through history is to invade the new energy and develop it. Coal is the oldest source of energy and was exploit in economic way during industrial evolution since the beginning of eighteenth century in Britain. The share of coal was dominated the total world consumption of energy so nineteenth century was called coal century.However, the second half of nineteenth century witnessed emerge a new source of energy was called oil. Which that mean begin a new age of capitalism conflict of obsession on oil field that concentrated in the middle east especially Arab Gulf countries. Each of it want to secure their need of crude oil and fighting with each other to control oil sources.Great capitalism countries especially Britain, United States of America, and France managed to dominate international oil industry by utilize oil and getting their oil companies enormous income. Since the beginning of second half of twentieth century large company oil was emerged especially (seven sister) in the international oil market and middle East region as the largest monopolistic organization on international level.

The Nexus of State Recognition Issue in the Context of the UAE-Israel Deal and Pakistan Dilemma

This study tries to investigate the obstacles in the ongoing disputes between Pakistan and UAE over whether or not to recognize Israel as a state. What elements would cause Pakistan to recognize Israel? Considering the significance of the UAE and its agreements with Pakistan skewed the national interests of Pakistan. To explore the bottlenecks in the hurdles of the Middle East spectrum and to evaluate the stance, I used explorative methods to obtain unique and perfect data through thematic techniques. The study's goal is to draw attention to the persistent questions surrounding Pakistan's foreign policy, whether Pakistan should have recognized Israel or not due to some internal biases. The first Gulf Arab nation to agree to normalize ties with Israel was the United Arab Emirates, putting an end to years of clandestine trade and investment between the two nations. For this study, secondary data was acquired from secondary sources like newspapers, periodicals, and reports while primary data was gathered through semi-structured interviews.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS FOR EGYPT COMPARED WITH ARAB COUNTRIES

The research problem is the low levels of sustainable development in Egypt compared to some of the Arab Gulf countries in some such as education and health sector problems, as well as the problems of unemployment and disguised unemployment within institutions, and consistent with the research problem, the research aims to identify the current situation of sustainable development in Egypt compared to the Arab countries, whether African or Asian. By studying sustainable development and poverty eradication in the Arab countries during 2019, it was found that the minimum percentage of the current poor with an income of $1.9/day was about 0% in the UAE, Lebanon, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, and Yemen, while the maximum was about 49.2% in Somalia. With a general average of 5.38%, while in Egypt it reached about 0.5%. And that the minimum percentage of the current poor with an income of $3.2/day was about 0% in the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, and Yemen, while the maximum was about 76.99% in Somalia. with an average of 12.63%, while in Egypt it reached about 9.5%. And that the minimum percentage of the current poor, with an income of $3.1/day, was about 0% in Qatar, Bahrain, and Djibouti, while the maximum was about 81.2% in Yemen. with an average of 9.23%, while in Egypt it reached about 42.74%.

An analytical study of the work environment in industrial companies: Evidence from Arab countries

This study investigated the features of the work environment in Arab industrial companies. This study was conducted by using a quantitative survey with 108 items that correspond to their views and opinions on their work environment and identify their individual stress and productivity levels based on a combination of four preexisting surveys; “Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)”, “Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS)”, “Work Environment Survey (WES)” and “World Health Organisation—Workplace Health and Productivity Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ)”. A total of 434 responses were received on May 2022 from seven Arab countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia). The study found a difference in the characteristics of the work environment in Arab industrial companies, where there is a difference in the attitudes of workers in those companies towards “Perceived Stress”, “Work Productivity”, “Work Environment”, and “Workplace Health and productivity” between Arab industrial companies according to the country. The study can explain this result according to the difference in financial and technology resources between manufacturing companies in the Arab Gulf versus Egypt and Jordan. Finally, there are two evidences that can be implemented immediately. A significant percentage of unsatisfied work environments are derived from a lack of relationships between supervisors and subordinates. It is therefore advisable for companies to devise a training programme to achieve a healthy work environment on the other hand.

The Rebellious Game: The Power of Football in the Middle East and North Africa between the Global and the Local

ABSTRACT By the end of the 19th century, British colonisers, in particular, not only played football as a pastime, they also made use of it to consolidate the political, economic and military interests of the motherland. But while the so-called ‘beautiful game’ served as an instrument of colonial control, both ‘civilising’ and ‘disciplining’ the colonial subjects, it also evolved into a transnational beacon for independence movements, with stadiums becoming important social spaces on the local and national levels. Overall, from a longue durée perspective, the interplay of local and global factors relating to football has triggered both emancipatory and repressive dynamics throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Indeed, the emancipatory power of football has been a consistent feature across the region since the colonial age. However, more recently, the massive wealth of the Arab Gulf States and their decision to invest in football’s ‘soft power’ has again changed the equation.

Al sabah and Al Zaman Journals Attitudes Towards the Crisis between Turkey and kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the period (1\10\2018 until 31\1\2019)

Al sabah and Al Zaman Journals Attitudes Towards the Crisis between Turkey and kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the period (1102018 until 3112019) 0mar chiad AIi Asst. Prof. Dr. University of Anbar College of Arts dept. of Media Abstract: The research tackles the crisis between Turkey and kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the absence of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi after entering Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul. This issue occupied the public opinion at the beginning of November 2018 and was the main case of national, Arabic and Iraqi media. From this perspective, we come across this issue to identify the attitudes of Iraqi media represented by Al sabah and Al zaman journals towards this case. The research sheds the light on the political crisis that emerged between Turkey and Saudi Arabia by tracing news and journalistic articles concerning this case in Al sabah and Al zaman journals during the period (1102018 – 3112019). Methodology adopted is descriptive one by depending on discourse analysis of the content. Analytic form is used as basic analysis means. The research reached some main conclusions: regarding Al sabah journal , the most prominent one is the wars of the returns of the crisis on the countries of thr region politically and economically. Also the crisis danger on Saudi Arabia kingdom and Arab gulf state. While in Al-zaman journal, the main warns are about the importance of shedding the light on the assassination of Jamal khashoggi. This assures that both journals used most of.