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

A US-Saudi deal without Israel? Here’s what the US should ask for.

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
A US-Saudi deal without Israel? Here’s what the US should ask for.

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
A US-Saudi deal without Israel? Here’s what the US should ask for.

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

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2025

A US-Saudi deal without Israel? Here’s what the US should ask for.

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Trump could deliver a stronger security agreement with Saudi Arabia that includes the hefty asks from the kingdom without normalization with Israel. But should he?

Defense Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 24, 2025

Donovan and Nikoladze cited by Modern Diplomacy on US sanctions on Iranian oil

Read the full article here

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2025

Trump’s Middle East strategy is all about striking an Iran deal. Gaza could get in the way.

By Alan Pino

Recent US actions in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon fit together in supporting the central objective of a deal with Iran.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Mar 19, 2025

Trump’s military cudgel in Yemen will not achieve US regional objectives

By Jacob Ware and Amir Asmar

Donald Trump risks falling into US pattern of short-sighted military action at the expense of constructing a sustainable plan for Yemen.

Defense Policy Middle East

New Atlanticist

Mar 18, 2025

Beyond the Houthis: The US needs a comprehensive Yemen policy

By Osamah Al Rawhani

Recent air strikes mark a new chapter in the US approach toward the Houthis. But to be successful in reducing threats in the region, Washington will need policies that address Yemen as a whole.

Conflict Middle East

In the News

Mar 18, 2025

Dijkstal quoted in Middle East Eye on the treatment of Ahmed al-Doush

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Middle East

New Atlanticist

Mar 15, 2025

Experts react: Trump just ordered major strikes against the Houthis. What does this mean for Yemen, Iran, and beyond?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts break down the biggest military campaign of the second Trump administration.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Mar 14, 2025

The United States’ Houthi terrorist designation unmasks Russia’s Yemen strategy

By Fatima Abo Alasrar

Yemen's Houthi rebels have become a tool of foreign powers, shifting from an Iran proxy to a Russian asset.

English Maritime Security

In the News

Mar 11, 2025

Warrick joins Al-Araby to discuss the Trump-Putin summit meeting propose for Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 11, 2025

Milliken joins i24 News to discuss the UN staff member who died in Houthi custody

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Middle East
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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

Yesar Al-Maleki

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

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
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