Addressing the Water Crisis in the MENA Region: Insights from The Young Leaders Academy
In June 2024, I had the privilege of representing MENA2050 as a speaker at The Young Leaders Summer Academy held at Bonn University. My presentation focused specifically on the water crisis in the MENA region, a pressing challenge that exacerbates food insecurity and drives human migration, particularly in conflict zones.
The MENA2050 Regional Vision Team Opinion Note : Integrating the EU and MENA Power Systems
The MENA2050 Regional Vision Team Opinion Note Integrating the EU and MENA Power Systems Authors: Omar Al-Ubaydli, Layal Alghoozi, Noora Alozaibi, Arnon Bersson, Noor Elgallal, Ben Grischeff, and Munya Yusuf; with support from ChatGPT in writing certain passages and conducting background research. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this note are those of the authors and […]
Leveraging OPEC to Enhance MENA Cooperation
The MENA2050 Regional Vision Team Opinion Note Leveraging OPEC to Enhance MENA Cooperation November 2024 Authors: Omar Al-Ubaydli, Layal Alghoozi, Noora Alozaibi, Arnon Bersson, Noor Elgallal, Ben Grischeff, and Munya Yusuf; with support from ChatGPT in writing certain passages and conducting background research. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this note are those of the authors […]
Ariel Ezrahi, Head of the MENA2050 Energy Transition Committee, Publishes an Article on Energy and Sustainability in the MENA Region
Ariel Ezrahi, Head of the MENA2050 Energy Transition Committee, has written an insightful and thought-provoking article for the Atlantic Council titled “An Energy and Sustainability Roadmap for the Middle East.” In this engaging piece, Ezrahi leverages his extensive expertise in energy diplomacy and sustainability, offering a comprehensive analysis of the region’s energy challenges and opportunities. […]
Sovereignty Vacuums and the Revival of International Trusteeship: Toward a GlobalMechanism for Managing Chronic State Failure
By Dr. Najwa AlSaeed As the crises of failed states intensify and cross-border threats proliferate, the notion of international trusteeship has resurfaced in political and strategic discourse—albeit in a modernized form distinct from the post–World War II model. Historically, trusteeship emerged under the United Nations system to manage the decolonization process in a structured and […]
Strategic AI Diplomacy: How Sheikh Tahnoon’s Washington Visit Signals a UAE-US Tech Alliance and Eases Tariff Pressures
By Dr. Najwa AlSaeed In the shifting landscape of global power, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to Washington D.C. from March 18 to 24, 2025, marked more than just a diplomatic occasion; it signaled a deliberate repositioning of the UAE at the intersection of technological transformation and geopolitical realignment. Welcomed by President Donald […]
New Paper on the Future of The India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
As global dynamics continue to evolve, the concept of “reglobalization” is reshaping conversations around connectivity, trade, and diplomacy. In a new publication by the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, a group of leading scholars explore the strategic potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, with a particular focus on digital infrastructure and regional integration. Co-authored by: […]
Gaming: A Catalyst for Transformation in the MENA Region
Gaming: A Catalyst for Transformation in the MENA Region The MENA region is rapidly emerging as a global gaming powerhouse, with the industry poised to revolutionize the region’s economy, culture, and technological landscape. As we look towards the future, it’s clear that gaming is not just a form of entertainment but a driving force for […]
The Simple Regional Picture moved to a Complex Regional Sculpture
Between 2002 and 2022, the geostrategic picture of the Middle East region was relatively clear. There were clear colors of “camps” and “parties”: Iran as the enemy of almost all; American presence in Iraq (based on regional interests); the Arab Peace Initiative as a game changer of Israeli-Arab diplomacy, the Arab Spring and the Abraham Accords – all created a two-dimensional picture of potential alliances, with shared interests and logical drivers for cooperation.
Middle Eastern Perspectives 2: Regional Cooperation and Development
Israeli author Kobe Huberman wrote an article simultaneously published with my previous article under the same title. Huberman’s article was published on our Middle Eastern initiative’s website, MENA2050. Both articles discuss two key aspects: the transformation of the Middle East’s political landscape from 2002 to 2022 and the need to reshape perspectives into a three-dimensional framework to address challenges bravely. This includes reframing the peace process in the Middle East from a perspective of regional cooperation and solidarity, for the benefit of all people in the region.
While acknowledging the security challenges faced by the region, it is essential not to overemphasize them at the expense of supporting developmental initiatives that contribute to stability. Several examples demonstrate this point, such as the electricity-for-water initiatives involving the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Israel. The establishment of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s direct investment initiative in Iraq with its various sectors, as well as the regional multi-party cooperation in electricity transmission to Lebanon and the connection of Iraq to the Gulf electrical grid, highlight the potential for regional collaboration and its positive impact on development.