Episode 45: Bridging the Gulf: Reputation and the Gulf States

This episode considers the reputation of the Gulf and its most prominent actors including not only the nation states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE but city state actors like Dubai. First, Simon makes the case that the Gulf is a case of a region's pre-existing negative image dominating perception of constituent parts. He doubts the efficacy of most responses in the circumstance. The conversation includes the perception of Saudi Arabia intimidating and the unlikelihood that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar will help that country's image. Nick raises the positive case of the Abraham Accords as an example of realities changing behind the image. The pair agree that initiatives from the region are frequently impressive but are undermined by a lack of connectivity. Nick suggests that the problem may be the lack of interest of regional royal families in genuine change. He points to particular cases of human rights abuse and royals placing themselves above the law as flaws. Simon argues that there is a fundamental failure of people in the region to understand the values of others and vice versa. The gulf remains unbridged.