043 - Ukraine is Dividing the Gulf States from the West

043 - Ukraine is Dividing the Gulf States from the West

Author: Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast April 8, 2022 Duration: 41:00

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused global energy prices to spike, the US looked to its traditional gulf partners to increase supply. However, Mohamed bin Zayed and Mohamed bin Salman chose not to - refusing President Joe Biden's calls and even raising prices, whilst making overt gestures of support for Putin.

In this episode, Iyad El-Baghdadi and Ahmed Gatnash discuss how the war in Ukraine has pushed a wedge between the US and its traditionally-close gulf allies, and what this means for the future of the Middle East.

Episode timetags:

02:40 - The economic context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

04:40 - Alternative sources of energy & autocracies

08:00 - The gulf oil producers are acting differently

09:30 - Why Saudi's reaction is a bad idea

12:30 - Changing dictatorships through economic engagement

14:00 - Europe's reaction to war & the dictators' underestimations

18:20 - The shift in relationships from unconditional to transactional

21:00 - MBS taking political changes personally

23:55 - The Atlantic interview, disinformation, and MBS' continued self-owns

27:30 - US security guarantee isn't in doubt, but it's not enough

33:25 - The failure of dictatorship as a management system

38:10 - Is Saudi Arabia maximising profit for its national budget?


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Hosted by Iyad El-Baghdadi and Ahmed Gatnash, the Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast is a detailed examination of how power is consolidated and abused across the world. While grounded in the complex political realities of the Middle East and North Africa, the analysis extends far beyond, dissecting the universal playbook used by authoritarian regimes. Each episode breaks down a specific strategy or tactic, from propaganda and surveillance to coercion and legal manipulation, explaining not just how these mechanisms function but why they are so effective. This isn't merely an academic exercise; the conversation consistently turns toward the practical methods of resistance and resilience employed by citizens and movements pushing back against repression. Listening to this podcast provides a clearer lens through which to understand current events, framing the headlines within the deeper, often hidden, structures of control and dissent. The discussions are informed, nuanced, and directly engaged with the stakes of political freedom, offering listeners a vital toolkit for deciphering the actions of modern governments. You'll find the Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast to be an essential resource for anyone seeking to comprehend the enduring struggle between authoritarianism and the human desire for self-determination, all through candid, expert analysis that connects regional expertise to global patterns.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 45

Arab Tyrant Manual Podcast
Podcast Episodes
004 -Scholars and Tyrants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In episode 2, Ahmed and Iyad continue the discussion on Saudi Arabia. Obama's legacy, what's behind it's regional rivalry with Iran, and how can their historical differences tell us more about their wordviews. How can we…
001 – Saudi Reforms (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:25
In our first episode, Iyad and Ahmed discuss the recent events in Saudi Arabia, and what Mohammed bin Salman's reforms mean in context. Got any thoughts? Tweet us @iyad_elbaghdadi, @gatnash. #ArabTyrantManual