Middle East

Survey results: How Iraqis view al-Zaidi’s government, one hundred days in

Months of political deadlock after Iraq’s November 2025 parliamentary elections ended in May 2026 when coalition talks among the Shia Coordination Framework (CF), Kurdish, and Sunni leaders led to the nomination of Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister. During the first hundred days of the al-Zaidi government, the Independent Institute for Administration and Civil Society Studies (IIACSS) […]

The risks of the strategic petroleum reserve’s four-decade low

By Jamie Webster and Morgan D. Bazilian

The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve has reached a historic low. As oil markets continue to tighten, refilling the reserve will become increasingly difficult.

Resilience has a cost. So does complacency.

By Khalid Azim

Gulf countries need to work together to build resilience, as they face new stresses from the Iran War.

The strategic rationale for closer investment ties between Europe and the Gulf

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

Europe and the Gulf both stand to benefit from investing more in each region. Which projects make the most sense?

Trade and connectivity in the Europe-Gulf strategic partnership

By Valbona Zeneli

Boosting trade between European and Gulf states requires progress on two key projects planned to connect the regions: the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and a free trade agreement. Can the disruption caused by the Iran war provide an impetus to move these stalled projects forward?

Three principles to guide European-Gulf defense cooperation

By Jean-Loup Samaan

How can Europe and Gulf cooperate more effectively on defense?

How Europe and the Gulf can unite behind an energy-transition agenda

By Ariel Ezrahi

European and Gulf states share a strong interest in restoring the free flow of energy cut off by the Iran war, and in reducing their economies' exposure to chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. What's their best path forward?

What’s behind the Algeria-UAE rupture

By Karim Mezran

Algeria's severing of diplomatic ties with the UAE reflects a broader struggle over regional influence and sovereignty.

Technology and the Global South: A US strategy for competitiveness

By Conrad Tucker, Peter Engelke

The United States and China are engaged in a strategic competition for scientific and technological leadership. To prevail, the United States must strengthen its tech-centric engagement with countries across the Global South.

The Saudi economy can hold out through year’s end—even if oil exports drop to zero

By Khalid Azim

First the Strait of Hormuz closed, so Saudi Arabia started sending more oil over land through its East-West Pipeline. Then drone strikes damaged the pipeline, and the Iran-backed Houthis fired missiles near the pipeline’s Red Sea terminus. Does Saudi Arabia need to plan for a near term without meaningful oil exports?