Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi is a commentator on Arab affairs. On Twitter: @SultanAlQassemi

Lebanon Pulse | Mar 3, 2015

Beirut re-brushed

Despite Lebanon's political and security challenges, Beirut is witnessing an upsurge in the art scene with established and new museums exhibiting Arab artworks.

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY RIMA ABUSHAKRA A general view shows the Sursock Museum in Beirut on June 27, 2008. Gemmayzeh boasts some of Beirut's most magnificent mansions owned by the Sursock family. The Sursock Museum was once a private home built in 1912 and now is host to an impressive permanent art collection. The house had a splendid garden that kept it apart from its closest neighbour, also another Sursock mansion. But recently the garden was razed to allow for the construction of a 25-storey apartment bl

Saudi Arabia | Nov 20, 2014

Why should Qatar reconcile with Egypt?

To improve ties with its Gulf neighbors, Qatar should re-evaluate its ties with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and restore its relations with the current Egyptian government.

Qatar's Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah (front) attends an extraordinary session of the Arab League at the league's headquarters in Cairo July 14, 2014. Egypt launched an initiative on Monday to halt fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants, proposing a ceasefire to be followed by talks in Cairo on settling the conflict in which Gaza authorities say more than 170 people have died. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR3YNM0

Syria Pulse | Nov 3, 2014

Marwan's exhibition reminder of Syria's cultural destruction

The Syrian-born artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi, known simply as Marwan, is preparing for his first solo exhibition in the Arabian Gulf, highlighting the endangered cultural history of his homeland.

Qatar | Jun 26, 2014

Qatar's annus horribilis

Qatar has taken a sharp turn in fortune in the past year, going from influential regional power to almost complete isolation.

Secretary-General Hassan Al-Thawadi (C) of Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the nation's 2022 World Cup organising committee, speaks during a news conference to announce the start of work on the Al-Khor Stadium in Al-Khor June 21, 2014. REUTERS/Mohammed Dabbous (QATAR - Tags: SPORT BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION SOCCER) - RTR3UZO5

Saudi Arabia | Mar 3, 2014

Gulf atheism in the age of social media

The Arabian Peninsula is widely known for its strict observance of Islam, but a rising number of Gulf nationals are starting to distance themselves from religious practice.

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY ASAAD ABBOUD
A Saudi man prepares to login into his Twitter account on his laptop on October 6, 2013 at his office in Riyadh. Despite sitting on the world's largest wealth of oil, Saudis complain their salaries are not enough to make ends meet, and have taken to Twitter demanding better income. AFP PHOTO/FAYEZ NURELDINE (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)

Egypt Pulse | Jan 25, 2014

Regional strife destroying historical Arab treasures

Constant wars and instability are wreaking havoc on ancient relics across the Arab world, from Syria and Iraq to Egypt and North Africa.

United Arab Emirates | Nov 22, 2013

Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf’s modern art movement

Contrary to what some may believe, a vibrant indigenous visual arts tradition does exist in the Gulf.

United Arab Emirates | Oct 8, 2013

Gulf Cities Emerge As New Centers of Arab World

While historic Arab capitals such as Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus are embroiled in civil strife, Gulf cities are powering ahead as new centers for Arab culture, education and business.

A general view shows Dubai's cityscape September 24, 2013. Dubai's government is working on new rules to protect its real estate market and prevent any excessive rise of property prices that could end in a crash, a senior official said on Tuesday. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS CITYSCAPE) - RTX13Y0C

United Arab Emirates | Sep 23, 2013

Abu Dhabi’s Foreign Assistance Steals Spotlight

While Abu Dhabi has developed a reputation for its generous foreign aid, little attention is paid its significant internal aid, which keeps the other emirates afloat.

An employee walks past a screen displaying the worldwide locations of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, at the bank's headquarters in Abu Dhabi, April 3, 2013. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi named the banker who led Australia and New Zealand Banking Group's push into Asia as its chief executive on Wednesday, as it expands abroad from its saturated local market. REUTERS/Ben Job (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: BUSINESS) - RTXY6VB

Gulf Pulse | Jul 10, 2013

Gulf States Embrace Post-Brotherhood Egypt

Gulf states are lining up to support Egypt after President Mohammed Morsi's ouster, including more than $8 billion in financial assistance, but should do more to ensure the country does not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi

Beirut re-brushed

Why should Qatar reconcile with Egypt?

Marwan's exhibition reminder of Syria's cultural destruction

Qatar's annus horribilis

Gulf atheism in the age of social media

Regional strife destroying historical Arab treasures

Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf’s modern art movement

Gulf Cities Emerge As New Centers of Arab World

Abu Dhabi’s Foreign Assistance Steals Spotlight

Gulf States Embrace Post-Brotherhood Egypt

Podcasts

Kurdish academic Mashuq Kurt says Erdogan's electoral alliance with Turkish Hizbullah offshoot a risky step

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi

Beirut re-brushed

Why should Qatar reconcile with Egypt?

Marwan's exhibition reminder of Syria's cultural destruction

Qatar's annus horribilis

Gulf atheism in the age of social media

Regional strife destroying historical Arab treasures

Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf’s modern art movement

Gulf Cities Emerge As New Centers of Arab World

Abu Dhabi’s Foreign Assistance Steals Spotlight

Gulf States Embrace Post-Brotherhood Egypt

Latest News

Gaza fisherman tests waters in legal fight over Israeli blockade

Once banned, now back: Iran sees timid return of neckties

Erdogan pledges to ease Iraq's water shortage

Podcasts

Kurdish academic Mashuq Kurt says Erdogan's electoral alliance with Turkish Hizbullah offshoot a risky step