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.

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Featured commentary & analysis

Charai in Gatestone Institute: What the Saudi Prince’s Visit Really Means

MENASource Jun 24, 2025

Dispatch from the Gulf: Finding middle ground amid Israel-Iran war

By Allison Minor

Congressional delegation visit coincided with Israel and Iran squaring off in a direct military confrontation.
Iran Israel
Charai in Gatestone Institute: What the Saudi Prince’s Visit Really Means

MENASource May 28, 2025

Mickey goes to the Gulf: The UAE’s wish upon a soft power star

By Amit Yarom

In a region often defined by hard power rivalries, Abu Dhabi has chosen to compete through visibility, credibility and imagination.
Media Middle East
Charai in Gatestone Institute: What the Saudi Prince’s Visit Really Means

MENASource May 23, 2025

The Gulf is emerging as Washington’s new strategic anchor

By Joze Pelayo

The so-called US “Golden Age for the Gulf” is one rooted in strategic utility, equal footing, high-stake deals, and fewer strings.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Counterterrorism Study Group

The Counterterrorism Study Group is a forum for former counterterrorism officials to review the latest threats, to understand emerging trends and future predictions, and to explore creative new proposals for improving the effectiveness of current policies and operations.

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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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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.

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Content

In the News

Mar 21, 2018

Charai in Gatestone Institute: What the Saudi Prince’s Visit Really Means

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Middle East

In the News

Mar 20, 2018

Khoury Joins Bloomberg to Discuss the Meeting Between Saudi Arabian Prince and Donald Trump

By Nabeel Khoury

Watch the full discussion here

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 20, 2018

Seznec Quoted in TIME on Energy Reform in Saudi Arabia

By Jean-François Seznec

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 20, 2018

LeBaron in AXIOS: Hailed For Bold Reforms, Saudi Crown Prince May Still Fall Short

By Richard LeBaron

Read the full article here

Saudi Arabia

EnergySource

Mar 20, 2018

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Key electric power decisions ahead

By Robert F. Ichord

Bilateral and global energy issues are front and center as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, arrives in the United States. While the biggest focus might be on Saudi Arabia’s vital role as the world’s largest crude oil exporter and the impact that growing US oil production and market influence are having […]

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Mar 20, 2018

Go big or go home: The right diversification strategy for Saudi Arabia?

By Bina Hussein

Rarely a day goes by without a headline about Saudi Arabia and the reforms underway as part of Vision 2030, the plan intended to help Saudi Arabia pivot from an oil-based to a knowledge-based economy. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) is making his rounds internationally, including a much-heralded visit to the United States this […]

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

In the News

Mar 20, 2018

Daniels in AXIOS: What to Expect From Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit

By Owen Daniels

Read the full article here

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 19, 2018

Khoury Quoted in PBS on Saudi Crown Prince’s U.S. Visit

By Nabeel Khoury

Read the full article here

Saudi Arabia

EnergySource

Mar 19, 2018

Saudi Aramco’s downstream push will increase its value

By Jean-Francois Seznec

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the United States Monday to much fanfare. One of the hot topics during the crown prince’s visit is the long-expected, much-anticipated privatization of Saudi Aramco. One major unanswered question surrounding the plan for privatization is where Saudi leadership wants to locate the initial public offering (IPO) for […]

Energy Markets & Governance Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2018

What Not to Expect from the Saudi Crown Prince

By Richard LeBaron

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States has energized the commentariat in Washington. Rarely have I seen more Middle East experts opining excitedly on the personality of and prospects for an Arab leader, on the significant change he has already brought to Saudi Arabia, and on the need to support his […]

International Organizations Iran
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Sharif Abdelrazeq

Sustainability and Innovation Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Perrihan Al-Riffai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Eric Alter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic French
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Events

Online Event Fri, March 27, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East