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

Sullivan in Syndication Bureau: Circular economies can help us reach climate goals

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
Sullivan in Syndication Bureau: Circular economies can help us reach climate goals

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
Sullivan in Syndication Bureau: Circular economies can help us reach climate goals

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

Feb 14, 2022

Sullivan in Syndication Bureau: Circular economies can help us reach climate goals
Energy Transitions Middle East

Event Recap

Feb 14, 2022

Moving the Arab population from ‘job seekers’ to ‘job creators’: How governments are promoting and supporting entrepreneurship

By Hezha Barzani

On February 7, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a virtual event on “Developing ecosystems: How Middle East governments drive entrepreneurship.”

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 14, 2022

Fulton in the Emirates Policy Center: GCC and the ‘Asianization of Asia’

By Atlantic Council

China East Asia

Insights & Impact

Feb 11, 2022

Sullivan in Arab News: Energy transition will not come without risks
Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

Insights & Impact

Feb 9, 2022

Bell in The National: A silver lining despite ambivalence about climate future
Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Feb 7, 2022

Wechsler quoted in Jewish Insider on Israel-UAE cooperation

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

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

Insights & Impact

Feb 4, 2022

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

Insights & Impact

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
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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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