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

Fulton quoted in Defense Romania on growing economic relations between China and Saudi Arabia

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
Fulton quoted in Defense Romania on growing economic relations between China and Saudi Arabia

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
Fulton quoted in Defense Romania on growing economic relations between China and Saudi Arabia

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

In the News

Feb 6, 2022

Fulton quoted in Defense Romania on growing economic relations between China and Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

Wald in AFP: US or Russia? Ukraine Crisis Poses Dilemma for Wealthy Gulf
Geopolitics & Energy Security Russia

In the News

Feb 4, 2022

Sullivan in Arab News: The future of energy is exciting, and it is time to grow up
Energy Transitions Middle East

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Alyemany joins Yemen Today to discuss the economic and political importance of the Red Sea in regional conflicts

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Conflict

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Fulton quoted in L’indro on China’s growing relations with Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Feb 3, 2022

China may now feel confident to challenge the US in the Gulf. Here’s why it won’t succeed.

By Ahmed Aboudouh

Despite China’s growing aggressive approach towards the United States in the region, it has no detailed plan to execute it successfully.

China East Asia

In the News

Feb 1, 2022

Fulton quoted in S&P Global on the evolving role of the Persian Gulf and the geopolitics of oil

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

Econographics

Jan 31, 2022

Strengthening ties: China and the GCC

By Inbar Pe'er, Niels Graham and Mrugank Bhusari

As China continues expanding its trade ties across the world while the US focuses on its domestic economy, the US will find itself without a seat at the table when the norms for the multilateral trading system are set.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Jan 27, 2022

China is trying to create a wedge between the US and Gulf allies. Washington should take note.

By Jonathan Fulton

Recent events indicate that leaders in Beijing are no longer satisfied with the logic of strategic hedging and are pursuing a more muscular approach to the Gulf.

China Middle East

In the News

Jan 24, 2022

Fontenrose quoted in Bloomberg on regional security implications of recent Houthi attacks on the UAE

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Defense Policy
Load More

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
Load More