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 quoted in Al Jazeera on the release of prisoners in Yemen

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 quoted in Al Jazeera on the release of prisoners in Yemen

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 quoted in Al Jazeera on the release of prisoners in Yemen

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

Oct 15, 2020

Khoury quoted in Al Jazeera on the release of prisoners in Yemen
Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Press Release

Oct 15, 2020

The Atlantic Council, Emirates Policy Center, and Institute for National Security Studies announce strategic partnership to advance UAE-Israel relations

October 15, 2020 — The August 2020 announcement of the Abraham Accords marked a historic moment for relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The agreement is a significant and exciting accomplishment. In addition to normalizing relations, the UAE and Israel have opened the door for cooperation and collaboration across economic, political, and security […]

Israel Middle East

Insights & Impact

Oct 14, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in AFP on US-MENA policy in light of the election
Elections Middle East

MENASource

Oct 1, 2020

A few memories of Kuwaiti Sheikh Sabah

By Richard LeBaron

Many will speculate about where Kuwait goes from here and whether there will be a leadership crisis.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Insights & Impact

Sep 30, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in Reuters on the passing of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Insights & Impact

Sep 29, 2020

Azodi in the National Interest: Israel’s Entry Into The Persian Gulf Won’t Bring Middle East Peace
Iran Middle East

MENASource

Sep 29, 2020

Absence of PhD programs contributes to weak research and development in the Gulf

By Omar Al-Ubaydli

The production of new knowledge is a very complex process and many factors contribute to the low levels of innovation exhibited by the Gulf countries. One factor that plays a role is the structure of tertiary education—particularly PhD programs.

Education Middle East

New Atlanticist

Sep 29, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Middle East

By Middle East Programs

In every US presidential election since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Middle East and North Africa has been a top foreign policy issue. The 2020 presidential election is no different.

Conflict Crisis Management

Insights & Impact

Sep 26, 2020

Dagres quoted in Financial Times on “Tehran”
Iran Politics & Diplomacy

Insights & Impact

Sep 24, 2020

Lipner in The Hill: Peace is great. Now, about that virus…
Israel Middle East
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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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