خلیج و سیاست حوزه انرژی

Policy Analysis on خلیج و سیاست حوزه انرژی

The Houthi Takeover of Yemen Is 10 Years Old. It Must Not Reach 20

The Gulf states were right about the Houthi threat and the West was wrong, so another large-scale confrontation is inevitable.

۲۱ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Michael Knights

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed walks with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House in September 2024 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

UAE President’s White House Visit Is About Much More Than Mere Formalities

Besides strengthening both countries’ economies, the visit represents a new model of international partnership where traditional alliances intersect with cutting-edge innovation.

۲۱ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Nickolay Mladenov

UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

MbZ Visits Washington: Meeting Agendas and Regional Implications

The Emirati leader will likely focus on the future of bilateral economic and technological integration, but discussions will also cover sensitive matters such as great-power concerns over China and Russia, regional nuclear proliferation, and a potential role for his country in postwar Gaza.

۲۰ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Simon Henderson
Elizabeth Dent

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa in Riffa, Bahrain - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

U.S.-Bahrain Ties One Year After the Strategic Partnership Agreement

Two veteran ambassadors discuss bilateral efforts in the security, economic, and technology sectors, noting the agreement’s potential as a template for other countries in the region.

۱۱ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Steven C. Bondy
Sheikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa

President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia in July 2022

Brief Analysis

U.S.-Saudi Defense Cooperation: Next Steps

Even if an Israeli-Saudi normalization deal proves unattainable for now, Washington and Riyadh should still seek ways to enhance military and defense cooperation in order to advance common interests and prepare for future security challenges.

۱۰ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Andrew G. Clemmensen
Abdullah Hayek

Articles & Testimony

How the U.S. Used Arms Sales to Shift Saudi Behavior

Weapons bans have proven to be a fickle tool historically, so why did they work in Riyadh’s case?

۴ سپتامبر ۲۰۲۴

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Elizabeth Dent
Grant Rumley

The crude oil tanker Sounion burns in the Red Sea after an attack by Houthi forces in Yemen - source: EUNAVFOR

Brief Analysis

Five Lessons from the Sounion Salvage Crisis in the Red Sea

The United States and its partners should take several immediate steps to avoid an environmental disaster, counter the Houthi spin about the incident, and prevent the group from creating other hazmat emergencies in the Red Sea.

۲۹ اوت ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Even After Houthi Attacks, Russia-Linked Tankers Return to Red Sea

The operators are either accepting risk on a vital transport route or else no longer concerned about perceptions about their vessels’ past links to Britain.

۲۲ اوت ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan

◆ Maritime Spotlight

Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with Bahraini crown prince and prime minister Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa - source: Department of State

Brief Analysis

One Year of the U.S.-Bahrain C-SIPA: Signs of Progress, Regional Potential

The progress the two partners have made through C-SIPA offers a fresh model for future U.S. cooperation with other Middle East countries in the security, economic, and technology sectors.

۲۱ اوت ۲۰۲۴

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Elizabeth Dent

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia Increases Its Cooperation with World’s Nuclear Watchdog

The small but significant step could facilitate U.S. technology transfers to the kingdom, said to be a key element in any potential Israeli-Saudi normalization deal—but proliferation concerns persist.

۸ اوت ۲۰۲۴

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Simon Henderson

Houthi missile hits Chios Lion tanker, Red Sea, July 2024.

Maps & Graphics

Houthi Attacks on Russia-Linked Tankers

Available data suggests the Yemeni group has been going after vessels carrying Russian cargo, particularly if an operator's ships have visited Israeli ports.

۲۶ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

A screenshot from MarineTraffic shows the past tracks of the livestock carrier Shorthorn Express (IMO 9167318), which as of July 2, 2024, was sailing toward the British Isles.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Are the Houthis Attacking Ships in the Mediterranean?

Direct strikes from the Yemeni group are unlikely at the moment, but a more aggressive Hezbollah could alter the threat picture.

۳ ژوئیهٔ ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

The U.S. Navy aircraft carriers Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower on joint operations in the CENTCOM region - source: Department of Defense

Brief Analysis

Carrier Gap Increases the Red Sea’s Vulnerability to Houthi Attacks

To fill the capabilities gap between carrier groups and prepare for potential Houthi escalation in the next few weeks, the United States and its partners need to implement stopgap measures and, ideally, surge more military assets into the region temporarily.

۲۸ ژوئن ۲۰۲۴

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Elizabeth Dent

An explosion hits the civilian cargo vessel MV Tutor in the Red Sea - source: Houthi Media Center

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Houthi Ship Attacks Pose a Longer-Term Challenge to Regional Security and Trade Plans

The immediate effects of the Houthi antishipping campaign are measurably serious, but the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other partners also need to prepare for the emboldened group to exert its newfound leverage in other ways beyond the Gaza war.

۲۶ ژوئن ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan

Brief Analysis

Energy Watchdog Predicts Big Oil Surplus by 2030

Implied lower prices would weaken economic forecasts for major Middle East oil producers.

۱۴ ژوئن ۲۰۲۴

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

A Kuwaiti Reset?

The new emir’s suspension of parliament, followed by the appointment of a prime minister and crown prince, suggests a different direction for the oil-rich Gulf state.

۷ ژوئن ۲۰۲۴

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Simon Henderson
David Schenker

Marshall Islands–flagged bulk carrier Laax (IMO 9512355), which was attacked in the southern Red Sea on May 28, 2024. photo obtained via the X/Twitter account of French forces stationed in the UAE and deployed in the Indian Ocean, https://x.com/FFEAU_ALINDIEN/status/1795837694960189920.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Behind Houthi Attacks on Ships Operated by Greece-Based Companies

Links to Israel-linked companies, especially in light of the Rafah invasion, are again the culprit.

۳۱ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

U.S. and Saudi air force officers greet one another during a joint exercise - source: Department of Defense

Brief Analysis

Security Cooperation in a Changed Region: How to Advance the U.S.-GCC Defense Working Groups

From aligning weapons acquisition strategies and improving intelligence sharing to getting the diplomatic framing right, U.S. officials can do more to advance regional air defense and maritime security through this week’s working groups and beyond.

۲۱ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

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Dana Stroul

◆ Risks and Opportunities in the Post-April 13 Middle East

A Houthi propaganda image published by the group's al-Masirah TV network.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Assessing the Latest Houthi Maritime Threats

Even increased aggressive activity in the Indian Ocean will be unlikely to seriously disrupt maritime traffic and global trade—but vessels calling on Israeli ports will need to take extra precautions.

۱۶ مهٔ ۲۰۲۴

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Noam Raydan
Farzin Nadimi

◆ Maritime Spotlight

Flags of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Turkey on display in Riyadh

Articles & Testimony

The Arab Approach to Mediation—Reshaping Diplomacy in a Multipolar World

Given their unique cultural concepts and major economic and political clout, the Gulf states are poised to play an even more significant role in future peace and security initiatives.

Spring 2024

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Nickolay Mladenov

Supported by the

Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy

The Washington Institute's Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy embodies the Institute's long-term research focus on the conservative Arab Gulf states -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman -- and the key role these countries play collectively as a primary source of the world's oil and natural gas.

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