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.

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Featured commentary & analysis

The impact of coronavirus on Gulf economies

MENASource Jun 24, 2025

Dispatch from the Gulf: Finding middle ground amid Israel-Iran war

By Allison Minor

Congressional delegation visit coincided with Israel and Iran squaring off in a direct military confrontation.
Iran Israel
The impact of coronavirus on Gulf economies

MENASource May 28, 2025

Mickey goes to the Gulf: The UAE’s wish upon a soft power star

By Amit Yarom

In a region often defined by hard power rivalries, Abu Dhabi has chosen to compete through visibility, credibility and imagination.
Media Middle East
The impact of coronavirus on Gulf economies

MENASource May 23, 2025

The Gulf is emerging as Washington’s new strategic anchor

By Joze Pelayo

The so-called US “Golden Age for the Gulf” is one rooted in strategic utility, equal footing, high-stake deals, and fewer strings.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Counterterrorism Study Group

The Counterterrorism Study Group is a forum for former counterterrorism officials to review the latest threats, to understand emerging trends and future predictions, and to explore creative new proposals for improving the effectiveness of current policies and operations.

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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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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.

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Content

MENASource

Mar 5, 2020

The impact of coronavirus on Gulf economies

By Jonathan Fulton

Beyond the obvious public health crisis, the coronavirus has had a significant impact on Gulf economies, as it has with other countries around the world. What sets the GCC states apart is the damage that can be done by a Chinese slowdown.

Coronavirus Middle East

In the News

Feb 24, 2020

Frandrup quoted in the National on naval operations in the Gulf area

By Atlantic Council

Maritime Security Security & Defense

MENASource

Feb 20, 2020

To deter Iran, the Gulf states need stronger navies

By Daniel J. Samet

The Gulf states should follow Washington’s lead in restoring deterrence in the face of the desperate regime in Tehran.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2020

US targets al-Qaeda leader: What it means for Yemen and the US counterterrorism mission

By Masoud Mostajabi

"When the United States is able to identify a terrorist abroad who threatens Americans, in the vast majority of cases the solution is relatively simple," William Wechsler says. "Simply reach out through law enforcement or intelligence channels and ask the local government to arrest them. Unfortunately, there remain a few places in the world in which the host governments have no practical ability to do so—indeed, in some of these places legitimate government authorities face a high risk of being killed if they tried. Yemen is one of these places."

Conflict Terrorism

In the News

Jan 31, 2020

Fontenrose joins VOA (Farsi) to talk about the deployment of additional US troops and aircraft to the Gulf

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Persian

IranSource

Jan 27, 2020

Why mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran keeps failing

By Banafsheh Keynoush

Mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran means changing the balance of power in a way that pleases both countries.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Jan 24, 2020

China’s Persian Gulf strategy: Keep Tehran and Riyadh content

By Julia Gurol and Jacopo Scita

The current tensions between Washington and Tehran have been a major stress test for China’s Persian Gulf strategy.

China Iran

In the News

Jan 14, 2020

Bell quoted in Petroleum Economist on Aramco IPO

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

Energy markets underestimate Middle East supply vulnerability

By Adal Mirza

Buoyed by ample supply, global energy markets continue to underestimate risks to output from the Middle East, despite the recent escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

Global Energy Forum

Jan 11, 2020

Pathways to Net Zero

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council 2020 Global Energy Forum Pathways to Net Zero Speaker: Shaikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, Chief Executive Officer, Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company Ahmed Ali Attiga, Chief Executive Officer, APICORP Meg Gentle, President and CEO, Tellurian, Inc. Adam Sieminski, President, King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center Moderated By: David Livingston, Deputy Director, Climate and Advanced […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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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

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

Fellow

Eric Alter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic French
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Events

Online Event Fri, March 27, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East