The Gulf

The Gulf

As many of the Arab Gulf states make strides to reduce their dependence on oil and implement social and economic reforms, they continue to face political and security challenges from external and internal threats. The Gulf states must respond to evolving external relationships, threats from Iran, terrorism, and civil conflict spillover while also harnessing the powers of technological advances and innovative reforms to modernize their economies. A new generation of leadership must adapt to a booming, educated, and globally-connected youth population, often unemployed and increasingly raising concerns about the rule of law and their role as citizens.

Featured commentary & analysis

Religion as statecraft: What a decade of research reveals about the geopolitics of religious soft power

MENASource May 18, 2026

How Gulf investments are responding to the US-China critical minerals competition

By Chenjie Song and Jonathan Fulton

Gulf sovereign wealth funds are seeking to maximize return on investment while maintaining strategic optionality.
China Critical Minerals
Religion as statecraft: What a decade of research reveals about the geopolitics of religious soft power

MENASource Apr 20, 2026

The Iran war has forced the US-Gulf alliance out of the shadows

By Eric Alter

The Iran war is testing whether the informal strategic system the United States has assembled with its Gulf partners and Israel is strong enough to hold up amid a regional conflict.
Defense Policy Iran
Religion as statecraft: What a decade of research reveals about the geopolitics of religious soft power

MENASource Apr 20, 2026

‘They have been exposed’: The Iran war upends Gulf states’ security and business model

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

The Iran war threatens the sense of security, prosperity, and opportunity that the Gulf states have spent years cultivating as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil.
Critical Infrastructure Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

Podcast series

Listen to the latest episode of the China-MENA podcast, featuring conversations with academics, government leaders, and the policy community on China’s role in the Middle East.

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Programs

Gulf Security Task Force

The Gulf Security Task Force is revisiting the question of how to best protect US interests in this sensitive, always relevant region. Our goal is to provide US decision-makers with an updated, fact-based strategy for protecting US interests in the air and maritime domain from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, and ensuring Gulf partners’ ability to assume this responsibility, with the assistance and leadership of the United States.

EXPLORE THE GULF SECURITY TASK FORCE

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

Report

Nov 3, 2026

Religion as statecraft: What a decade of research reveals about the geopolitics of religious soft power

By Peter Mandaville

The post-Cold War assumption that international politics was converging toward a secular liberal framework in which religion would play at most a marginal role has not survived contact with the evidence. From China to Turkey to Saudi Arabia and Russia, states are integrating religion into their foreign policy in strategically significant ways.

China India

Inflection Points

Nov 3, 2026

Dispatch from Abu Dhabi: America votes—and the world holds its breath

By Frederick Kempe

The world is showing more interest than ever in the US midterm elections, and with good reason given how the results could affect Trump's foreign policy.

Conflict Elections

Dispatches

Oct 21, 2026

Washington should stop expecting the Gulf to speak with one voice

By Joze Pelayo

Gulf states are emerging from the Iran war with different conclusions about how to protect themselves and deal with Tehran.

Energy & Environment Iran

UkraineAlert

Oct 8, 2026

Russia’s jet drones pose a security threat far beyond Ukraine

By Leonid Baratz

Russian jet drones are currently terrorizing Ukraine’s civilian population and disrupting daily life for millions of people. It is only a matter of time before other countries are also confronted by this threat, writes Leonid Baratz.

Conflict Defense Technologies

In the News

Oct 7, 2026

Charai for Newsmax: Wage War on Terrorism Within: Follow the Money, Share Intelligence

By Atlantic Council

Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade Israel

MENASource

Oct 1, 2026

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.

Infrastructure Resilience

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2026

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?

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2026

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?

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2026

Three principles to guide European-Gulf defense cooperation

By Jean-Loup Samaan

How can Europe and Gulf cooperate more effectively on defense?

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Sep 29, 2026

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?

Energy Transitions Europe & Eurasia
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Experts

Fellow

Ali Faqeeh

Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

China Chinese

Fellow

Marcy Grossman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Israel

Fellow

Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Amir Hayek

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran
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