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

The sultan of Oman’s new cabinet combines continuity and change

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
The sultan of Oman’s new cabinet combines continuity and change

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
The sultan of Oman’s new cabinet combines continuity and change

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

Blog Post

Aug 19, 2020

The sultan of Oman’s new cabinet combines continuity and change

By Marc J. Sievers

The most notable changes involve the replacement of several long-serving ministers by well-known and well-respected senior officials.

Middle East The Gulf

In the News

Aug 15, 2020

Ferziger in Foreign Policy: How 9/11 and the Coronavirus Pushed the UAE and Israel Together
Civil Society Coronavirus

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Wechsler quoted in Newsweek on Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Warrick quoted in CNBC on UAE-Israel normalization
Israel Middle East

In the News

Aug 14, 2020

Handler in Lawfare: Normalizing Arab-Israeli Relations Through Cybersecurity Cooperation

By Atlantic Council

This diplomatic rekindling between Israel and the Arab world offers an opportunity for the United States to establish a regional cybersecurity cooperation center dedicated to the protection of critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity Iran

In the News

Aug 13, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in the Wall Street Journal on UAE-Israel normalization
Israel Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

In the News

Aug 13, 2020

Wechsler joins Voice of America to discuss Israel-UAE normalization
Israel Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

In the News

Aug 13, 2020

Slavin quoted in The Hill on UAE and Israel normalization
Israel Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

In the News

Aug 13, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in Politico on Israel and UAE normalization
Israel Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

In the News

Aug 13, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in the Wall Street Journal on UAE/Israel normalization
Israel Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
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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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Events

Online Event Tue, July 28, 2026 • 11:30 am ET

Transforming IMEC in response to the Iran war
Critical Infrastructure Policy Europe & Eurasia India Iran