A presentation by
Richard LeBaron
Senior Fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East
Atlantic Council

Commentary from
Bilal Saab
Executive Director, Head of Research and Public Affairs
Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) North America

Ali Tulbah
Managing Director
McClarty Associates

Moderated by
Barry Pavel
Vice President and Director, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security  
Atlantic Council

Please join the Atlantic Council’s Hariri Center for the Middle East for a roundtable discussion about how the United States and its Gulf partners can develop a more effective relationship to confront the challenges ahead and advance shared interests. The preliminary P5+1 agreement with Iran on nuclear issues, tepid US response to the Syria crisis, and unclear American position toward the transitional Egyptian government has prompted renewed concerns in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states about the strength of the US commitment to the Gulf.

In a new Atlantic Council issue brief, Richard LeBaron advocates two–prong approach toward a more effective US relationship with its Gulf allies: first, achieving more productive cooperation to support Egypt's economic development, and second, developing a more mature security relationship with Gulf partners that recognizes US limitations, greater Gulf capabilities, and possible roles for new actors such as China.