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

Fontenrose and Arbit quoted in Asharq Al-Awsat on US treatment of the Yemeni Houthis

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
Fontenrose and Arbit quoted in Asharq Al-Awsat on US treatment of the Yemeni Houthis

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
Fontenrose and Arbit quoted in Asharq Al-Awsat on US treatment of the Yemeni Houthis

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 15, 2021

Fontenrose and Arbit quoted in Asharq Al-Awsat on US treatment of the Yemeni Houthis
Conflict Middle East

EnergySource

Mar 14, 2021

The United Nations Security Council needs to authorize military action to prevent the spill of the FSO SAFER

By Dr. Ian Ralby, Rohini Ralby, and Dr. David Soud

The FSO SAFER and the five miles of subsea pipeline to which it is attached threaten to pour 2.14 million barrels of oil into the Red Sea. Between Yemen’s reliance on food shipments to stem a widespread famine, and the wider region’s reliance on desalination plants for drinking water, realistic estimates put the potential death toll from the spill in the millions.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

Insights & Impact

Mar 14, 2021

Lipner and Ferziger in The National: President Biden must engage with the Abraham Accords
Israel Middle East

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

Al Arabiya covered the Atlantic Council’s event on Tim Lenderking’s peace plan for Yemen
Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

AP covered the Atlantic Council’s event on US aid to Yemen
Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

PressTV covered the Atlantic Council’s event on Tim Lenderking’s peace plan for Yemen
Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

Arab News covered the Atlantic Council’s event on Tim Lenderking’s peace plan for Yemen
Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

Arab News covered the Atlantic Council’s event with Tim Lenderking and Sarah Charles
Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

Asharq Al-Awsat covered the Atlantic Council’s event with Tim Lenderking and Sarah Charles
Conflict Human Rights

In the News

Mar 12, 2021

Middle East Eye covered the Atlantic Council’s event with Tim Lenderking and Sarah Charles
Conflict 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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