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 joins BBC to discuss the future of US-Saudi relations

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 joins BBC to discuss the future of US-Saudi relations

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 joins BBC to discuss the future of US-Saudi relations

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 5, 2021

Fontenrose joins BBC to discuss the future of US-Saudi relations
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 1, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Vox on Biden’s handling of Saudi Arabia and Iran
Iran Middle East

In the News

Mar 1, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Guardian on US actions after the release of Khashoggi report
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 28, 2021

Khoury quoted in Al Jazeera on the fight for Marib in Yemen
Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Feb 26, 2021

After the Khashoggi report: How the US can respond and avoid blowback

By Kirsten Fontenrose

There is a wide array of options available to the United States as a response to the Khashoggi report. But some carry more potential for blowback than others. When assessing the range of options, the Biden administration should choose those that mitigate the negative impact on long-term US interests.

Middle East Saudi Arabia

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in Tasnim News Agency on possible US actions following release of Khashoggi report
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Middle East

In the News

Feb 26, 2021

Khoury quoted in TRT World on the Houthis’ fight for Marib
Conflict Middle East

MENASource

Feb 26, 2021

Senior State Department official says US is committed to supporting entrepreneurship in the Middle East

By Allison Holle

The Biden Administration is committed to supporting entrepreneurship in the Middle East and deepening economic cooperation between the United States and the region

Economy & Business Middle East

In the News

Feb 24, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in the Guardian on involvement of MBS in Khashoggi murder
Intelligence Saudi Arabia

IranSource

Feb 23, 2021

With the boycott over, Qatar tries to reclaim top regional mediator role

By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Cinzia Bianco

Qatar is trying to use its connections to both Turkey and Iran to re-position itself as the key regional mediator it was before the 2011 Arab Spring.

Middle East The Gulf
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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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