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

Shapiro quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the Saudi oil boost

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
Shapiro quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the Saudi oil boost

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
Shapiro quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the Saudi oil boost

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

In the News

Jun 2, 2022

Shapiro quoted in The Wall Street Journal on the Saudi oil boost

By Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jun 2, 2022

Shapiro quoted in The Arab Weekly on the future of US-Saudi relations in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Russia

In the News

Jun 2, 2022

Shapiro quoted in The Washington Post on how Saudi Arabia must firmly align with the US internationally to ensure Saudi oil fields remain protected

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Mezran in Newlines: Gulf Influence in Maghreb

By Atlantic Council

North Africa Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jun 1, 2022

Ashford publishes book Oil, the State and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates

By Atlantic Council

On June 1, Emma Ashford’s book Oil, the State and War: The Foreign Policies of Petrostates was published by Georgetown University Press. The book challenges prevailing understandings of the international implications of oil wealth and shows why it can create bad actors. In a world where oil-rich states are more likely to start war than their oil-dependent counterparts, […]

Corruption Defense Policy

Insights & Impact

May 26, 2022

Shapiro quoted in All Arab News on how the US can improve relations with Riyadh and lay the groundwork for US-Saudi peace

By Atlantic Council

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

Insights & Impact

May 25, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Haaretz on the how the Red Sea islands could normalize Israel-Saudi relations

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Israel

In the News

May 19, 2022

Katz quoted in Arab News on overlapping interests between Russia and authoritarian leaders in the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Corruption

MENASource

May 19, 2022

The Gulf is lagging behind on gender equality. Here’s how it can catch up. 

By Salwa Balla and Iman Mohamed

The dialogue for gender parity in the workforce is still ongoing, but GCC nations have the advantage of prioritizing female employment in tandem with economic diversification.

Education Middle East

China-MENA Podcast

May 19, 2022

Chinese Multilateralism in MENA

By Atlantic Council

Dawn Murphy joins us to discuss China's approach to drawing Middle East and North African countries into Chinese-led cooperative forums for political support and influence.

China Economy & Business
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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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