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

MENASource Discussions: Moving Beyond Yemen’s Political Paralysis [Video]

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 Discussions: Moving Beyond Yemen’s Political Paralysis [Video]

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 Discussions: Moving Beyond Yemen’s Political Paralysis [Video]

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

Dec 13, 2013

MENASource Discussions: Moving Beyond Yemen’s Political Paralysis [Video]

By MENASource

On the sidelines of an Atlantic Council symposium on Yemen’s economic challenges, which discussed the findings of a new report on the topic, Yemen’s Economic Agenda: Beyond Short-Term, Danya Greenfield interviewed three Yemeni experts

Yemen
Officer in Armed Forces of Qatar

NATOSource

Dec 13, 2013

Gulf Nations Announce Joint Military Command

By KUNA and Defense News

In a big step forward to consolidate Gulf joint security, Arab Gulf leaders agreed Wednesday on the establishment of a joint military command and police.

Missile Defense Saudi Arabia
Image Credit: US Dept. of State

Issue Brief

Dec 12, 2013

Building a better US-Gulf partnership

By Richard LeBaron

A new Atlantic Council issue brief, “Building a Better US-Gulf Partnership,” contends that the United States and its Gulf partners must prioritize and build on their shared interests in light of ongoing erosion of ties, and a fundamental gap in expectations about the US role in the region and its commitment to security for the […]

The Gulf

Press Release

Dec 12, 2013

Former US Ambassador Highlights Eroding US-Gulf Ties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Samia Yakub 202.769.0724, press@AtlanticCouncil.org A new Atlantic Council issue brief, “Building a Better US-Gulf Partnership,” contends that the United States and its Gulf partners must prioritize and build on their shared interests in light of ongoing erosion of ties, and a fundamental gap in expectations about the US role in the […]

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Dec 11, 2013

Yemen’s Economy Needs Action Now

By Danya Greenfield & Stefanie A. Hausheer

On the heels of a major attack against Yemen’s defense ministry last Thursday, it is easy to focus on the dire security situation and the connection between the current political stalemate in the National Dialogue with the uptick in violence and attacks on government officials and institutions.

Yemen

MENASource

Dec 4, 2013

An Economic Response to Yemen’s Political Paralysis

By Danya Greenfield

Yemeni and international stakeholders need to turn their attention to the economic sphere—even while continuing to usher the National Dialogue through to completion—if the political transition has any hope of success.

Yemen

MENASource

Dec 4, 2013

YemenSource Headlines – December 2, 2013

By MENASource

Follow the week’s top news headlines and analysis from Yemen and regional press.

Yemen

Report

Dec 4, 2013

Yemen’s economic agenda: Beyond short-term survival

By Danya Greenfield

A new Atlantic Council report, Yemen’s Economic Agenda: Beyond Short-Term Survival, argues that if the Yemeni government fails to prioritize progress on the economic front, the country’s democratic transition risks derailment and may witness renewed conflict. Prioritizing the economy has been postponed because of political uncertainty and security problems, but the status quo can no […]

Democratic Transitions Economy & Business

Press Release

Dec 4, 2013

Yemen’s Political Transition at Risk without Progress on Economic Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2013 CONTACT:                                                                                                         Samia Yakub                                                                                        202.769.0724, press@AtlanticCouncil.org A new Atlantic Council report, Yemen’s Economic Agenda: Beyond Short-Term Survival, argues that if the Yemeni government fails to prioritize progress on the economic front, the country’s democratic transition risks derailment and may witness renewed conflict. Prioritizing […]

Yemen

MENASource

Nov 26, 2013

How the Gulf States Will and Won’t Respond to the Iran Agreement

By Richard LeBaron

Gulf states have cautiously greeted the interim nuclear agreement between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the EU and Iran. The Saudi statement on Monday treads lightly—”The government of the kingdom sees that if there was goodwill, this agreement could represent a preliminary step towards a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear program.” In […]

Iran Saudi Arabia
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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