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

GCC Balks at Move Towards a Union

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

GCC Balks at Move Towards a Union

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

GCC Balks at Move Towards a Union

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

May 25, 2012

GCC Balks at Move Towards a Union

By Richard LeBaron and Noora AlSindi

In mid-May, leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met in Riyadh to discuss a vaguely-defined Saudi proposal for a “union” of GCC states. The Saudi proposal seems to have been prompted by heightened concerns over Arab Spring aftershocks (particularly in Bahrain) and perceived Iranian ambitions in the region.

Iran Saudi Arabia

Event Recap

May 14, 2012

Roundtable Discussion with Mr. Munir Daair: Yemen in Transition

By Jason Harmala

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and the Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG), hosted prominent Yemeni businessman and founding member of the Democratic Awakening Movement (TAWQ) Mr. Munir Daair for a discussion on May 14 on Yemen’s challenges as it moves forward in its transition process. Download a PDF of the […]

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Apr 6, 2012

Saudi Arabia and Qatar’s Role in the Regional Efforts to Oust Assad

By Benedetta Berti and Yoel Guzansky

Since the beginning of the protests against the Assad regime in March 2011, the international community’s response to the Syrian crisis has been characterized by disunity. This collective vacuum has boosted the role of regional actors, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who have been extremely active with the support of virtually all GCC countries. 

Saudi Arabia Syria

Event Recap

Mar 9, 2012

Yemen Policy Initiative Roundtable Discussion

By Jason Harmala

Recognizing a dearth of policy-oriented dialogue on Yemen in Washington, the Hariri Center for the Middle East and the Project on Middle East Democracy are launching a Yemen policy initiative to provide a platform for dialogue and opportunities for advocacy to advance a more coherent and comprehensive US policy toward Yemen.

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Feb 21, 2012

Yemen’s Election Might Matter

By Danya Greenfield

With daily massacres in Homs and prosecution of U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Cairo, the simmering conflict in Sanaa has faded into the background. Yet on February 21 attention will turn again to Yemen on the occasion of its presidential election.

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2012

With Syria, Don’t Repeat Yemen Mistake

By Danya Greenfield

Efforts to halt the killing in Syria shifted to the UN Security Council yesterday, where its members debated a draft resolution proposed by Morocco to end Bashar Al Assad’s reign of terror.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and foreign ministers from Britain, France, and other nations urged passage of the resolution, with Clinton pleading that […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2011

Saudi Arabia Nuclear Hedging

By Yoel Guzansky

Saudi Arabia’s announcement last week that it plans to build 16 nuclear reactors with a budget of more than $100 billion raises doubts about its nuclear ambitions.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

New Atlanticist

Nov 14, 2011

The US Can’t Afford to Pass on Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

In the wake of the winds of change that swept from Tunis to Cairo and beyond, frustrated Yemenis took to the streets to demand an end to corruption, responsive government, and respect for their basic political and social rights. For more than nine months, mass protests have spread through the country and millions have repeatedly […]

Yemen

Event Recap

Sep 23, 2011

From North Korea to South Sudan: The Path of Crisis and the European Response

By Jason Harmala

On September 23, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Relations Program hosted a conversation with Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. The Commissioner discussed the EU’s role in disaster response and the current challenges faced by her office. As Commissioner, she has overseen the EU response to humanitarian crises such as […]

East Africa European Union

NATOSource

Jul 5, 2011

Somali pirates use Yemen island as fuel base

By Jonathan Saul, Reuters

From Jonathan Saul, Reuters:  Somali pirates have been using Yemen’s remote Horn of Africa island of Socotra as a refueling hub enabling their attack craft to stay restocked for longer periods at sea and pose a greater hazard to shipping, maritime sources say.

Yemen
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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