ORIENT III / 2008

  Focus: Islamic Banking

Ph.D. Paul Rivlin
TheDevelopment of IslamicBanking

This paper examines the principles on which Islamic banking is based. It then looks at how these principles have been implemented by banks in the last 25 years. Some critiques of Islamic banking are then outlined and the paper concludes with an estimate of the scale of Islamic banking and its growth in recent years, with special attention to developments in Germany, the UK and the USA.

Islamic Banking, Historical Development, Riba, Mudarabah, Murabahah, Musharakah, Critique, UK, Germany, USA

Weiterlesen: ORIENT III / 2008

Orient II / 2008

Social Change in Saudi Arabia: Regime, Religion, and the People

Politically and socially, Saudi Arabia appears to be a country frozen in time. Although leaders and citizens alike now sing to the common tune of reform, the Saudi regime's authoritarianism seems to remain firmly in place. Nevertheless, this paper argues that the royal family may be more favourably disposed to social change than previously assumed, because Wahhabism's exclusivist message has in fact become less of an asset and more of a liability to the regime. However, this social change will have to come through a slow-pace, bottom-up process.

Saudi Arabia, Wahhabism, Reform, Social Change, Authoritarianism, Social Pluralism

Weiterlesen: Orient II / 2008

ORIENT I / 2008

 Foucs: Nuclear Proliferation and the Near and Middle East

Dr. Gawdat Bahgat

Nuclear Arms Race in the Middle East: A Myth or a Reality?

The essay seeks to address the concern over whether a possible Iranian nuclear program will trigger a regional nuclear arms race. At first the author briefly discusses some theoretical perspectives on nuclear proliferation and how they apply to the Middle East. This is followed by a close examination of two case studies – Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In the final section, the conclusion is drawn that an Iran with nuclear weapons capability is likely to further destabilize the Middle East but is not likely to ignite a regional nuclear arms race.

Iran, Nuclear Weapons, Balance of Power, Regional Powers, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Nuclear Proliferation

Weiterlesen: ORIENT I / 2008

ORIENT IV / 2007

Dr. Christian Koch

The Changing International Relations of the Gulf Region

This paper provides an analysis of the security situation in the Gulf region and particular the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It argues that the region is about to face an era of strategic insecurity and that the regional security architecture that had been constructed by the British in the 20^th century and then embellished by the United States will come to an end. Instead the author forecasts a broader international involvement in the Gulf region, i.e. an inclusion of European and Asian powers as relevant external actors in terms of the security arrangements of the region.

Gulf Region, GCC, Security, Strategic Studies, International Relations, USA, Energy Security, Oil, Iran, Conflict

Weiterlesen: ORIENT IV / 2007