CIRS Event Explores Causes and Prospects of Gulf Crisis

Experts from across the region gathered to share their insights about the Gulf crisis at an event hosted by Georgetown University in Qatar’s premier research institute, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS).

The event, titled ‘Crisis in the GCC: Causes, Consequences, and Prospects’ was held on Sunday, 17 September at the University’s Education City campus. The public event aimed to explore the impact of the blockade of Qatar by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which began on June 5.

The panelists who offered their insights are Dr. Abdullah Baabood, director of the Gulf Studies Program at Qatar University; Dr. Shafeeq Ghabra, professor of political science at Kuwait University; and Dr. Gerd Nonneman, professor of international relations and Gulf studies at Georgetown University in Qatar. The importance of the topic was reflected in the high turnout, with more than 350 people in attendance and an additional 100 people watching the livestream of the event.

“The on-going crisis in the GCC is by far the most significant episode of internal discord within the organization since its inception in 1981,” said CIRS Director Dr. Mehran Kamrava. “The panel discussion hosted by CIRS gave the audience an opportunity to hear the analysis of three renowned experts on the causes and consequences of the crisis, what prompted Saudi Arabia and the UAE to launch the comprehensive blockade of Qatar, and what measures Qatar has taken in response politically, economically, and diplomatically.”

The audience also had the opportunity to ask the panelists their own questions regarding the crisis.

Established in 2005, CIRS is a research institute devoted to the academic study of regional and international issues through dialogue and exchange of ideas, research and scholarship, and engagement with national and international scholars, opinion-makers, practitioners, and activists.