SEPADPod With Clemens Chay

Richardson Institute

On this episode of SEPADPod Simon speaks with Clemens Chay, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. Clemens' research focuses on the history and politics of the Gulf states, with a particular emphasis on Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. At MEI he spearheads a public education series entitled “Bridging the Gulf”. He is currently working on a book project related to Kuwait’s diwaniyas (affectionately known as diwawin, and more widely known as majalis outside Kuwait), the reception rooms for informal meetings that have implications for society, politics and diplomacy. He is on twitter at @sinGulfura. On this episode, Simon and Clemens talk about studying the Middle East in France and the UK, the role of the diwaniya in Kuwait, the spatial and normative aspects of the diwaniya, and recent developments in Kuwait.