Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia seminar

15 January, Chatham House, London

GSN’s new special report Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia was launched to great acclaim at a 15 January seminar in London hosted and co-organised by Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme. Senior figures from the banking, insurance and risk sectors joined industry and governmental political risk analysts for a frank roundtable discussion of the issues raised by a report that was recognised by discussants – who included Exeter University Professor Gerd Nonneman, political scientist Neil Partrick, Saudi academic Dr Mai Yamani and Chatham House’s Maha Azzam and Claire Spencer – as a significant piece of research and analysis, which “raised the bar” for those researching the Kingdom.

The event was chaired by GSN editorial director Jon Marks and Chatham House Middle East and North Africa Programme head Claire Spencer, with the participation of speakers from GSN and other regional specialists including Dr Neil Partrick; Professor Gerd Nonneman, Al-Qasimi Professor of Gulf Studies, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, Exeter University, Mai Yamani, and Stephen Timewell, Editor Emeritus, The Banker.

Programme

The discussion - held under the Chatham House Rule - took the following form:

9.00       Coffee and Registration

9.30       Session One: Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia

Short introduction by Dr Claire Spencer, Head, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House

Unveiling the report:

Jon Marks, Associate Fellow, Menap, Chatham House; Editorial Director, Gulf States Newsletter (GSN)

Eleanor Gillespie, News Editor, Gulf States Newsletter (GSN); Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia main author

Paul Melly, Contributing Editor, Gulf States Newsletter (GSN)

The report's principle authors discussed its main findings including; a discussion of developments in the Saudi succession process and understanding of Al-Saud genealogy, and an analysis of the shape of King Abdullah's rule.

Initial comments from:

Gerd Nonneman, Al-Qasimi Professor of Arab Gulf Studies, Exeter University; Associate Fellow, Menap, Chatham House

Dr Neil Partrick, independent consultant and former political science lecturer, American University of Sharjah.

 

11.00       Coffee

11.15       Session Two: Discussion

This session used the report to launch a debate and analysis of current developments in Saudi Arabia.

Topics covered included:

Reform – King Abdullah’s efforts to reshape Al-Saud rule and a new Saudi society

Succession – a critical issue in a system based on age and genealogy. Speakers will look at possible future scenarios and their potential impact on business and the wider region

Human rights and opposition – asking whether Saudi Arabia is becoming a more tolerant society, and analysing the social forces at work

Regional relations – Saudi Arabia’s voice within the GCC, its relationship with neighbours including Qatar, the UAE and Yemen, and its role in the Middle East peace process

Defence and security – Saudi security policy, border issues and the evolving jihadist threat, with the implications for companies operating in the Kingdom

Energy policy – analysing the role of Aramco, institutions and individuals that shape policy

Transparency – what this summer’s financial scandals say about systemic concerns and the role of the regulators

Moderated by Jon Marks, discussants included:

Steve Timewell, Editor Emeritus, The Banker

James Gavin, Contributing Editor, Gulf States Newsletter (GSN) ,

Dr Mai Yamani

Gerd Nonneman

Neil Partrick

Eleanor Gillespie

Paul Melly

All delegates received a complimentary copy of the full GSN Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia report. 

Providing rare insights into the structure and workings of the Saudi elite, this extensively researched report analyses Saudi policy on issues including succession, domestic and regional politics, defence, energy and financial trends, and features widely researched biographical entries on 1,200 Al-Sauds from the ruling family’s main branch, together with profiles of leading cadet branch businessmen, and a range of maps and graphics. Read more

Venue:

The Royal Institute of International Affairs
Chatham House
10 St James's Square
London, SW1Y 4LE
Web: www.chathamhouse.org.uk

 

 

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