About Trends

Foreseeing the future through knowledge

TRENDS Research & Advisory is an independent research institution that aims to contribute to the shaping of the future. It analyzes the geopolitical, economic, and social aspects of regional and global developments in order to better understand the various dimensions of prevailing trends and the opportunities and challenges they present, while adhering to international standards in research.

TRENDS seeks to build a network of strong partnerships with global research centers and think tanks as well as with governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions. The Center aims to benefit from international cooperation and research initiatives to further enhance its reach and impact at both the regional and global level. TRENDS produces a broad range of publications on subjects of global interest and regularly organizes lectures, conferences, and symposiums to facilitate the exchange of research experiences and expertise.

The CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali

TRENDS Research and Advisory Center was established in 2014, in Abu Dhabi. It is an independent research institution that aims to make positive contributions to scholarly research. It seeks to provide a better understanding and deeper analysis of various issues and developments impacting the Arabian Gulf and Middle East in particular, and the world at large. It operates in accordance with internationally recognized research standards employed by the most prestigious think tanks and research institutions.

TRENDS focuses on identifying and following up on issues of significance in the realms of politics, economy, security, and knowledge. It takes up the task of analyzing these issues and employs a strategic perspective while conducting research, with a view to supporting decision-makers at both national and regional levels.

The Center analyzes opportunities and challenges that emerge from regional and global developments and seeks to find innovative ideas and solutions that contribute to sustainable development and stability in the region and the world. TRENDS strives to become a bridge of communication and knowledge exchange between wider groups of specialists, while developing a network of strong partnerships and high level of cooperation with Arab and international academics, researchers and university professors.

The focus of research and study centers has shifted over the past few years in face of the knowledge and technology revolution unfolding around us, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital warfare, sustainable blue economy, and renewable energy. At TRENDS, we are keen to keep abreast of these developments and study them in depth so as to reap the opportunities they present in enhancing sustainable development in the countries of the region.

Advisory Board

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali

The CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory

Dr. Arif Sultan Al-Hammadi

Executive Vice President, Khalifa University of Science Technology

Prof. Akhmed K. Kaleel Kaleel

Media professional, interpreter for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, media consultant, holds a golden residency from the Dubai government.

Dr. Khalid Salem Al-Yabhouni Al-Dhaheri

Dr. Serhat Suha Cubukcuoglu

Dr. Faisal Obaid Al-Ayyan

Dr. Abdullatif Mohamed Al Shamsi

Dr. Pascal Boniface

Dr. Kristian Patrick Alexander

Dr. Ateeq Jakah Al-Mansoori

Trends Scientific and Academic Council

Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali

Chairman, Founder and CEO

Abdul-Hadi Al-Hammadi

Rapporteur: Director of the CEO Office Sector

H.E. Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al-Dhaheri

Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities

H.E. Ambassador (Ret.) Marcelle M. Wahba

Former Ambassador of USA to UAE, President Emeritus, The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSM), USA

Dr. Khadija Farhan Al-Humaid

Director of Student Affairs, Rabdan Academy

Dr. Radwan Al-Sayed

Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, MBZUH

Prof. Mark Tessier

Co-founder and a co-principal investigator of Arab Barometer

Hamad Al-Kaabi

Editor-in-Chief, Al-Ittihad newspaper

Anthony H. Cordesman

Emeritus Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Dr. Yossi Mekelberg

Professor of International Relations and Senior Consulting at Chatham House UK, and Professor International Relations at Regent’s University

Dr. Fatima Al-Shamsi

The former Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Affairs at Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi (SUAD)

Sector Heads

Fahad Essa Al-Mahri

Head of Dubai Office

Awadh Al-Breiki

Head of Trends Global Sector

Mohammed Salem Alsalmi

Head of Research & Advisory Sector

Abdulhadi Salman Al-Hammadi

CEO Office Manager

Resident Researchers

Hamad Al Hosani

Researcher in Political Islam

Salem Ali Alfalasi

Director of Research Initiatives

Dr. Mohammad Abu Ghazleh

Political Affairs Expert, TRENDS Research & Advisory

Dr. Stephen Blackwell

Scientific Advisor - Director of Strategic Studies

Sara Alneyadi

Senior Researcher

Noor Al Mazrouei

Researcher/ Head of AI and Future Studies Department

Gina Bou Serhal

Researcher

Mohamed Aldhuhoori

Head of Strategic Studies Section

Serhat S. Çubukçuoğlu

Senior Fellow, Department of Strategic Studies

Ayesha AlRemeithi

Director of Research & Advisory Department

Stephen Scalet

Scientific Advisor, Global Sector

Nouf Yaqoob Al-Saadi

Researcher

Reem Ebrahim Alhosani

Assistant Researcher - Global Barometer Department

Mouza Almarzooqi

Head of Economic Studies section

Rawda Al Marzouqi

Director of Distribution and Exhibitions Department

Shawq Al Marzouqi

Shamma Al Kaabi

Director of Trends Smart Lab

Salama Al Ali

Marketing and Exhibitions Specialist

Reem Mohsen Al Kindi

Researcher, Head of Developing Section

Dr. Wael Saleh

Political Islam Expert

Rahaf Al Khazraji

Head of Publication Section

Noura AlHabsi

Director of Scientific Publication Department

Sharifa AlRaeesi

Head of Organizational Training Section

Aysha Al-Blooshi

Researcher - Conference Coordinator

Sultan AlRubaei

Deputy Head of Research and Advisory Sector

Sultan Majed AlAli

Director of Global Barometer Department

Khalid Abd Al-Hamid

Head of Political Islam studies section

Dr. Mohammed Farid Azzi

Senior Fellow

Dr. Kristian Alexander

Senior Fellow and the Director of the International Security & Terrorism Program

Dr.Fatouh Heykel

CEO Office Scientific Advisor

Vision Mission & Strategy

Vision

To foresee and participate in building the future.

Mission

To conduct objective, cutting-edge research that helps decision-makers better prepare for future challenges.

Strategy

Applying rigorous academic research and effective partnerships to assist in, and contribute to, the formulation of policies and decisions of governments and international organizations relating to all aspects of global and strategic issues.

Our Research Programs

1. Middle East Security

2. International Security & Terrorism

The International Security & Terrorism Program aims to provide evidence-based analysis on the causes and dynamics of various global/transnational security threats. The program addresses the linkages between international, societal, and individual level threats and examines the means of preventing and mitigating them. It mainly explores the political context of radicalization and terrorist violence. It analyzes public safety and national security challenges by studying counterterrorism approaches, WMD proliferation, strategic futures, and security alliances/cooperation. A TRENDS team of experts and non-resident associate fellows produce innovative and policy-relevant publications that tackle our times most critical security issues.

3. Foreign Policy and International Relations

This program covers the most significant global diplomatic and geostrategic trends by analyzing the principal international institutions and major powers and how they impact different regions worldwide. In addition to examining the principal actors’ policies in international affairs, the program also identifies and explains the main themes that will shape tomorrow’s world. These include monitoring the key global governance forums, multilateral institutions, and legal regimes through which states cooperate and address common challenges. Some of the programs principal policy themes include energy security, climate change, maritime disputes, and space.

4. Humanitarian Security

This program is based on a broad understanding of human security that seeks to protect people worldwide from the entire spectrum of threats that arise from human activity, environmental degradation, or unexpected natural disasters. This program focuses on the contingency and preventative measures that governments and international organizations can take to protect their citizens, along with effective interventions in other countries and regions to secure those made vulnerable by instability and weak governance. The issues tackled as part of this program include migration, food security, pandemics/epidemics, emergency management, and international relief mechanisms.

5. Stabilization and Post-Conflict Reconstruction

This research program seeks to provide in-depth coverage of the current thinking and practices related to stabilization and reconstruction activities in conflict-hit countries. It brings together recognized scholars and practitioners in the field. It explores topics ranging from how to engage with non-state armed groups in hostile and insecure environments to the role of diplomacy in new stabilization missions and the challenges of fostering practical cooperation between military and civilian actors. In doing so, the program aims to enhance understanding of various aspects of stabilization and post-conflict reconstruction and adding value to the broader debate on peace, stability, and conflict resolution in fragile settings.

6. Military and the Future of Warfare

What will the future conflicts look like? How will wars unfold? This Military and the Future of Warfare Program covers some of the most significant factors shaping military trends and the future of warfare. It examines how technological advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, data processing, quantum computing, and other enabling technologies have the potential to transform the character of future wars and conflicts. Issues covered by the program include:

The use of new and emerging technologies by non-state actors.
The impact of autonomy on strategic stability.
Military transformation and modernization.

7. Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Technology Research

This program investigates the impact of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and advanced technologies – such as blockchain, quantum computing, and data science – on the civilian sphere, including the labor market, healthcare sector, transportation, and military sphere. Strategic and policy implications, issues related to cybersecurity, and the shifting nature of inter-state warfare are also part of this program. A team of in-house researchers and non-resident fellows collaborate to produce policy insights related to the subjects.

8. Political Islam

This program focuses on studying political Islam movements, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, and their various domestic, regional, and international affiliates. The program seeks to understand their ideological, organizational, and operational frameworks and explore their prospects regarding the region’s developments in recent decades. It also analyses these movements’ ideological focal points and how they have formed the basis from which transborder extremist and terrorist organizations have branched out.
The program examines these movements’ approach toward various issues, including the nation-state, human rights, women’s and minorities’ rights, and relations with others, especially when it clashes with many societies and states’ cultural and social peculiarities. It further seeks to highlight these movements’ global dimensions by analyzing their expansion strategy across many countries and the international responses to their different moves, which often violate the sovereignty and threaten states’ security.

9. Tolerance and Coexistence

This program keeps up with the rising global attention to the values of tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity as central to international peace and security. It focuses on analyzing challenges and risks threatening these values and how to tackle them at political, economic, cultural, and intellectual levels. The program takes a particular interest in interfaith and intercultural dialogue, an urgent necessity to enhance global human fraternity and counter the forces of extremism and terrorism, which reject coexistence. The program also seeks to establish an international system to promote tolerance, coexistence, and human fraternity. It provides a platform for dialogue between researchers, experts, and clerics from different religions to strengthen human values and thwart attempts to politicize religions and embroil them in conflicts.

10. Economic Development

The Economic Development Program covers topics related to economic growth and development across all regions. Under this program, TRENDS experts and researchers analyze macro and sector-specific government policies and their impact on economic output and development targets. The program looks into government and private sectors’ role in stimulating economic development, the government’s different approaches, and the use of fiscal and monetary stimulus packages to revive economies faced with recessions. The program also looks at the global economic governance and institutions and international organizations’ role in promoting policies that support development.

11. Energy and Natural Resources

The Energy and Natural Resources Program provides insights and analysis of the energy and natural resources and their current and future challenges and developments. The objective of this program is to analyze supply and demand drivers, policies, and technologies impacting the markets for traditional sources of energy (oil, gas, coal, nuclear), renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro), new non-traditional sources of energy enabled by advancement in technologies and natural resources. This program also provides analysis and recommendations on the energy transition and how countries can benefit from a balanced approach that considers the need for access to cheap, clean, and sustainable energy to drive economic growth.

12. International Political Economy

This program analyzes economic interdependence and power relations between countries and regions and the economic competition drivers between countries driven by conflicting interests and political philosophies. The program takes a particular interest in how policies influence markets and how politics is driven by the desire to protect domestic markets and access to international markets. It studies the impact of a country’s policies on bilateral and multilateral economic coalitions, the flow of international trade, and the future shift in economic powers. The program also studies the drivers for market globalization and the forces working against it.

13. Global Trade and Investment

The Global Trade and Investment Research Program focuses on international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). This program analyzes trade policies, their design based on individual country’s development needs, and their impact on economic growth, especially for developing countries. The program also explores FDI as a critical component of international finance and its role in host countries’ economic growth. Current and future trends in trade and FDI and global institutions’ role in promoting them are also a key focus for this program.

14. Environment and Sustainable Development

The Environment and Sustainable Development Program’s primary focus is on the intersection of sustainable economic growth and protecting the environment. The program analyses the best sustainable development approach, which balances the needs for equitable and inclusive economic development, sustainable natural resources management, and environmental protection. It analyses progress in sustainable development policies, their impact across all countries, and new technologies that provide solutions and address the challenges by striking a balance between development and sustainability. The program also looks at global collaboration and international institutions’ role in achieving sustainable development goals.

Goals

1. Contributing effectively to research and studies identifying international risks and challenges.

2. Training and empowering future leaders to deepen their insights and equipping them with the appropriate tools.

3. Providing advisory for different sectors to generate financial resources for the center.

4. Establishing a large network of relations and building strategic partnerships with global decision-making support centers, international government, and non-government organizations.

5. Reinforcing awareness regarding Middle East issues and influencing international public opinion.

Academic Standards

Core Values

Objectivity: in raising and discussing issues

Accuracy and credibility: in providing information

Transparency: in analyzing and presenting facts and results

Professionalism: in producing authentic, high-quality research

Core Standards

Production of high-quality research adhering to strict academic standards, internationally recognized among research centers. The most important core standards are:.

Commitment

Academic honesty and integrity

Creativity and innovation

Excellence

TRENDS Services

1.Opinion Polls (Barometer):

Measuring public opinion on economic, social, political, and cultural issues, both domestic and external.

2.Evaluation and Refereeing of Studies:

Evaluation and refereeing of academic studies conducted by other academic and research institutions.

3.Studies and Research:

Preparing research and studies in all disciplines of interest.

4.Consultancy

Providing a wide range of consultancy services in political, economic, media, and research fields.

5.Training Services and Learning Programs:

Offering customized training programs in administration, personal skills, self-development, information technology, and artificial intelligence.

6.Joint Studies

Enhancing cooperation and partnerships to produce joint research studies, statistics, and data.

7.TRENDS’ Experts in Symposiums, Lectures and Events:

Managing and coordinating internal and external events and participating in seminars, symposiums, and other events.