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

YemenSource | “Our Revolution Continues”: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Across Yemen

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

YemenSource | “Our Revolution Continues”: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Across Yemen

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

YemenSource | “Our Revolution Continues”: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Across Yemen

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.

Listen

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

MENASource

Feb 25, 2014

YemenSource | “Our Revolution Continues”: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Across Yemen

By YemenSource

On Friday, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of most governorates across Yemen, making clear their discontent and frustration.

Yemen

In the News

Feb 25, 2014

Itani on New Syria Point Person in Saudi Arabia

By Faysal Itani

The National quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the replacement of Saudi Arabia’s chief Syria advisor:

Saudi Arabia Syria

MENASource

Feb 20, 2014

To Confront Yemen’s Security Dilemmas, Start With Security Forces

By Adam Simpson

Despite the conclusion of Yemen’s National Dialogue, violence continues to plague the country, most notably with clashes between tribesman and separatists pressing for greater autonomy and government forces that have lost their confidence.

Yemen

Uncategorized

Feb 20, 2014

Al Akhali on Yemen’s Transition

By Rafat Al Akhali

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Rafat Al Akhali joins Al Jazeera English’s The Stream to discuss the transition in Yemen:

Yemen

In the News

Feb 19, 2014

Slavin on Obama Trip to Saudi Arabia

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes on US President Barack Obama’s trip to Saudi Arabia next month for Al Monitor:

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Feb 19, 2014

YemenSource | Houthis, Socialists, Herak, Voice Opposition to Six-region Plan

By YemenSource

After last Monday’s decision to build a six-region state, several groups across Yemen have voiced their opposition to the federal model.

Yemen

MENASource

Feb 18, 2014

Why Egypt Matters to the UAE

By EgyptSource

With the fall of former president Mohamed Morsi in early July, several Gulf countries have propped up Egypt’s failing economy with a stream of cash pledged to the North African country. Mere days after Morsi’s fall, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Kuwait together had already pledged $8 billion to Egypt. Of the […]

North Africa The Gulf

MENASource

Feb 18, 2014

Egypt, not Syria, the Main Game for the United Arab Emirates

By Richard LeBaron

When Secretary Kerry met with leaders in Abu Dhabi the evening of February 17, he surely briefed them on the latest US thinking on Syria and Iran. It is also likely that his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) briefed him on their activities in Egypt, which they consider their most important foreign policy […]

North Africa The Gulf

Issue Brief

Feb 13, 2014

The economic consequences of the Arab Spring

By Mohsin Khan

In a new issue brief, Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Mohsin Khan contends that although political turmoil has dominated economic decision-making in the Arab transition countries and Jordan and Morocco during the last three years, there is some encouraging evidence that these economies will turn around in 2014. Analyzing economic developments in the Arab transition […]

Libya Morocco

Report

Feb 12, 2014

The state of Arab transitions: Hope resilient despite many unmet demands

By Mirette F. Mabrouk and Stefanie A. Hausheer

Report authors Mirette F. Mabrouk, deputy director for regional programs, and Stefanie A. Hausheer, assistant director, examine the progress in achieving the original demands of protestors and contend that local actors would embrace greater international support to help facilitate genuine transitions. By examining six key themes—political polarization, constitution-drafting processes, transitional justice, economic progress, civil society […]

Civil Society Democratic Transitions
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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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Events

Online Event Tue, July 28, 2026 • 11:30 am ET

Transforming IMEC in response to the Iran war
Critical Infrastructure Policy Europe & Eurasia India Iran