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 the Arab Center Washington DC: Yemen: The Failure of International Diplomacy

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 the Arab Center Washington DC: Yemen: The Failure of International Diplomacy

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 the Arab Center Washington DC: Yemen: The Failure of International Diplomacy

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

Mar 3, 2022

Khoury in the Arab Center Washington DC: Yemen: The Failure of International Diplomacy

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Corruption

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

empowerME’s event on fintech’s influence in MENA was featured in Al-Monitor

By Atlantic Council

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

The Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative joins the Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss political and security development in the region

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Mar 3, 2022

As Qatar becomes a non-NATO ally, greater responsibility conveys with the status

By R. Clarke Cooper

Although Qatar’s eligibility for MNNA status doesn’t automatically include a mutual defense pact with the United States, being designated a MNNA state is very much a declaration that the United States wants a deeper and stronger security-cooperation relationship with Qatar and expects the country to play a greater role in regional security.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 1, 2022

Fulton quoted in Inside Arabia China’s growing relations in the Gulf and it’s implications towards Yemen

By Atlantic Council

China Conflict

Insights & Impact

Feb 25, 2022

Zarazinski quoted in POLITICO: Russia’s hidden tool to undermine sanctions
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia

In the News

Feb 23, 2022

Aboudouh quoted in Inside Arabia on US-China rivalry in the Gulf region

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Feb 23, 2022

Kadhim joins Alhurra Iraq to discuss Iraq’s economy and developing foreign policy in the region

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Defense Policy

In the News

Feb 22, 2022

empowerME event covered by Egypt Today

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

In the News

Feb 19, 2022

Fontenrose joins Bahrain Banter to discuss the benefits and challenges of drone technology

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Security & Defense
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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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