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

Khoury in Reuters: Time is running out to avert yet further catastrophic famine in 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
Khoury in Reuters: Time is running out to avert yet further catastrophic famine in 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
Khoury in Reuters: Time is running out to avert yet further catastrophic famine in 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.

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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

Insights & Impact

May 18, 2022

Khoury in Reuters: Time is running out to avert yet further catastrophic famine in Yemen

By Atlantic Council

Crisis Management Middle East

Insights & Impact

May 16, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Jewish Insider on establishing high-level delegation between Israel and the Gulf countries

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

MENASource

May 14, 2022

Memorializing Sheikh Khalifa, transition, and restoring US-UAE relations

By R. Clarke Cooper

The death of Sheikh Khalifa and the designation of his successor occurs during the fiftieth anniversary year of formal diplomatic relations with the US, marking decades of increasing security cooperation vital to supporting US interests in the Middle East. 

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 13, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Jewish Insider on the impacts of President Biden’s nomination of US-Saudi ambassador

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Israel

MENASource

May 11, 2022

Emerging market investments are shrinking. How will MENA countries hit FDI targets? 

By Amjad Ahmad

A US economic slowdown or a recession couldn’t come at a worse time for emerging markets, particularly those in MENA, where most are fighting chronic unemployment, slowing growth, and higher debt levels.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

May 6, 2022

Can soccer plead ignorance? A World Cup of politics is brewing for Qatar 2022.  

By Joze Pelayo, Hamad Abbas

The integration of politics with the World Cup goes beyond the Russian invasion, as the choice of Qatar as the host nation invited significant backlash.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 4, 2022

Iran-linked missile and maritime threats continue. Here’s how the US and its regional partners can bolster deterrence.

By Simon Handler

A shift in US strategy is needed to reestablish credible deterrence that denies potential attacks and punishes violations in order for the US and its partners in the Middle East to counter Iranian naval aggression and missile launches. 

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 3, 2022

Fontenrose quoted in the Wall Street Journal on the CIA’s attempts to improve US-Saudi relations

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

May 3, 2022

Fontenrose quoted in the Daily Mail on recent efforts to revive US-Saudi relations

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

May 1, 2022

Khoury quoted in Politics Today on Emirati-Israeli relations amidst aggression in Jerusalem and Arab public opinion on normalization

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Human Rights
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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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