Specialized economic and foreign policy advisory.
Azal Advisors provides specialized foreign policy and economic advisory to Center of Government decision-makers in GCC countries. Our advice is fact-based, discrete, pragmatic and frank. We combine our structured problem solving approach with the expert insights of our affiliated advisors, who are globally recognized subject matter experts in areas of critical relevance to GCC decision-makers.
How We Can Help
POLICY ADVICE
SINO-GULF COOPERATION
Sample of advisors
Sean Carroll
International developmentRaiman Al-Hamdani
Yemen stabilisation and developmentBruce Mann
National risk & resilienceDr Giacomo Luciani
Global energy governanceDr Izak Atiyas
Economics & industrial policyDr Eckart Woertz
Food & energy securityMichael Stephens
Europe-Gulf relationsDr Jonathan Fulton
Sino-Gulf relationsDr Omar Al-Ubaydli
GCC countries' economics expertAdel Bakawan
EU - Turkey / Iraq relationsDr Paul J. Sullivan
Energy and Environmental SecurityDr Steffen Hertog
GCC economics and political economyDr Mohammed Al-Sudairi
Sino-Gulf relationsDr Jean Francois Seznec
Economic & Industrial PolicyJohn Tesh
National risk & resilienceMohamed Elbashir
Global internet governanceDavid Rundell
Saudi - US relationsDr Bernard Haykel
Arab identity, Islam and social history of the GCCStephen A. Seche
Yemen and Yemen – US relationsAbdulrahman Eryani
Water & environmentKate Dourian
Energy marketsJoshua Meltzer
Digital trade and international trade lawDr Martin Keulertz
Food & water securityInsights
A multilateral collateralized digital currency as an instrument of influence for oil-exporting states
Gulf States are in the front line of the strategic competition between China and the United States. The former seeks to secure a steady supply of oil while extending its economic and technology influence. The latter continues to play a dominant role in enabling the defence of Gulf States while leveraging this position to keep them from embracing China. This situation is also reflected in the recurring topic of the dedollarization of global oil-trade and China’s desire to settle oil-purchases in its own currency, the Renminbi, which for a variety of reasons does not yet serve the interests of Gulf-based oil-exporters. This report argues that a multilateral and oil-collateralized digital currency (MCDC) could provide like-minded Gulf oil-exporters with a tool of partial monetary policy independence and enhanced global influence, ultimately enabling them to carve a more independent policy that serves their own interest rather than the one of either of the two super-powers.
How can GCC countries achieve equilibrium in the China-India competition?
The competition between China and India continues to grow, driven by territorial disputes and China’s growing strategic dominance and assertiveness. Both countries are also increasing their demand for energy and raw materials to fuel their economic growth. In our latest report, Dr Naranayappa Janardhan (Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy) and Nicolas Dunais (Azal Advisors) argue that Gulf policymakers should pursue a balanced relationship with China and India, avoid “picking sides”, and where possible, encourage them to cooperate rather than compete in the commercial and security realms.
Nudging GCC citizens to sustainability: the imperatives of cultural awareness & local knowledge
Many GCC governments have established or are in the process of establishing behavioural economics (“nudge”) units as an additional instrument of policymaking, with the support of Western experts. With sustainability considerations becoming more central in the policy development process, nudging has a key role to play in effectively changing citizen behaviour. Yet local specificities mean that replicating models which have worked abroad is fraught with risk: social habits among GCC citizens can result in nudge campaigns having the opposite effects to the ones intended. In this context, it is essential to leverage local expertise to ensure campaigns are effectively delivered and government efficiency is maximized.