In France 24: Saudi Debates First Alcohol Shop
As Saudi Arabia introduces policy that will allow its first alcohol shop and says its goal is “to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions,” Coates Ulrichsen said the framing of this news “is likely intended to send a subtle message that change may be on the way, but that the process will be incremental and tightly controlled.”
Norman Quoted on Upcoming NASPAA Student Simulation Competition
On March 2, Rice University’s School of Social Sciences Master of Global Affairs Program will host the 2024 NASPAA Student Simulation Competition. “I am very glad to see that this year’s topic is forced displacement, which is both a politically difficult subject and one that greatly affects real people’s lives,” Norman said.
In Texas Observer: Tense elections in U.S. and Mex. endanger democracy
In this year's presidential elections, the U.S. and Mexico are both anticipating complaints of election fraud and potential violence at the polls. "This will likely be a year of high political violence in Mexico," said Payan. "Candidates have already been killed and others are being intimidated by organized crime."
On Arab Digest Podcasts: Red Sea Reckoning
Coates Ulrichsen speaks with Arab Digest on the cycle of violence in the Red Sea shipping lanes, a result of the spreading violence stemming from the Gaza war.
In Explainer: Why Bahrain Supported US Strikes on Yemen’s Houthis
Bahrain was the only Arab country that supported the American and British strikes on Yemen’s Houthis. Bahrain “likely sees any action against Iran-aligned groups in the region through the prism of its close security and defense ties with Washington and its tense relationship with Tehran,” said Coates Ulrichsen.