The Gulf

Middle East

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

Bakir quoted in AI-Monitor on Turkey and Italy’s interest in Qatar

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

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

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.

By Atlantic Council

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business

Experts

Fellow

Yerevan Saeed

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Fellow

Miroslav M. Zafirov

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

English International Organizations

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Issue briefs and reports

Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

The Gulf

Featured commentary & analysis

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

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

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

Podcast series

Programs

Gulf Security Task Force

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Content

Bakir quoted in AI-Monitor on Turkey and Italy’s interest in Qatar

Bakir quoted in the Christian Science Monitor on Qatar’s role in the Middle East

Samaan for Bustan: The Gulf states’ decade

Citrinowicz in The Institute for National Security Studies: The solution to the Houthi problem Is not in Iran

Samaan quoted in L’Orient-Le Jour on Israel now targeting the Houthis

Citrinowicz quoted in AP News on Israel’s challenges with deterring attacks from Houthi rebels

Bakir joins Al Jazeera to discuss Turkey’s initiative and its potential of bringing together the UAE and Sudan

Fulton in Arabian Gulf Business Insight: Gulf-China relations are strictly business

Samaan in Institut Montaigne: AI: United Arab Emirates, key partner of France or risk for its digital sovereignty?

WIn Fellowship mentioned in Arab News on its event discussing AI’s role in driving economic growth in Saudi Arabia