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Gulf & Energy Policy

Policy Analysis on Gulf & Energy Policy

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Saudi Deputy Prime Minister Prince Abdullah greets Iranian President Khatami in Jeddah in May 1999 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Clarifying the Status of Previous Iran-Saudi Agreements
The steps taken to actually implement Riyadh and Tehran’s new normalization accord bear close watching given the uncertainties surrounding their 1998 and 2001 agreements.
Mar 16, 2023
◆
  • Faris Almaari
Newspapers at a shop in Tehran display headlines about the China-brokered Iran-Saudi deal in March 2023 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
What Beijing’s Iran-Saudi Deal Means—and What It Doesn’t
China brokered the agreement, but this does not signal a new Beijing-led order in the Middle East—in fact, it could make regional tensions worse.
Mar 15, 2023
◆
  • Henry Rome
  • Grant Rumley
Brief Analysis
China’s Track Record on Middle East Diplomacy
Beijing has responded to regional conflicts with a bevy of multilateral forums, peace plans, and envoys, but without the deeper commitments and follow-through required to resolve them.
Mar 15, 2023
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  • Carol Silber
Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.
Articles & Testimony
With Saudi-Iran Diplomacy, Is China Pushing the US Aside in the Middle East?
The surprise development may have more to do with resolving the Yemen war than rebuking the Biden administration, but the full implications will take time to register.
Mar 13, 2023
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  • Simon Henderson
Russian President Vladimi Putin tours an exhibit of Tsarist weapons on display in the UAE in 2007 - source: Reuteurs
Articles & Testimony
Russia Uses Middle Eastern Ties to Mitigate Isolation
By taking largely ambivalent stances on the Ukraine war, states in the region have helped ease the effects of international sanctions against Moscow.
Mar 7, 2023
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  • Anna Borshchevskaya
Brief Analysis
Yemen Peace Accord Appears Increasingly Possible
A deal would leave the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in control but allow the Saudis to disengage from a costly and intractable war, potentially opening up further diplomatic possibilities.
Feb 28, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Gulf Navigates a Multipolar World
Amid global uncertainty, Gulf states are seeking to strike a delicate balance between old and new partners.
Feb 24, 2023
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  • Fawzi al-Zubaidi
Brief Analysis
China’s Growing Naval Influence in the Middle East
​​​​​​​Current Chinese basing capacity and force commitment in the region seem insufficient to support the level of economic and diplomatic engagement that appears to be Beijing’s new normal, so Washington should prepare for further expansion.
Feb 17, 2023
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  • Blake Herzinger
  • Ben Lefkowitz
Dalia Adel
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Saudi Arabia’s Sports Promotion is a Win-Win for the Kingdom
Saudi Arabia's increased investment in sports represents an effort to empower youth and expand the economy, rather than "sportswashing."
Feb 16, 2023
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  • Fahad Nazer
An Iranian state-media photo of the Aghab-44 underground air base - source: Iran state media
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iran Unveils New Underground Air Base
The facility is seemingly intended for launching surprise maritime interdiction missions in the Persian Gulf region, mainly aimed at U.S. Fifth Fleet assets—though it probably won’t be able to accommodate Iran’s potential future fleet of Russian jets.
Feb 13, 2023
◆
  • Farzin Nadimi
Brief Analysis
Bahrain Reveals Visit by Israel’s Top General
The meeting highlights the continuing U.S.-led focus on the Iranian threat and the underlying strength of the Abraham Accords.
Feb 10, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
We’ll Need Oil for Decades to Come—and OPEC Needs the High Price
As the cartel’s top players discuss their future production goals, Western leaders are becoming increasingly concerned that oil policy will be warped by Moscow’s desire to grind out a victory in Ukraine and punish Kyiv’s backers.
Jan 31, 2023
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  • Simon Henderson
Flags of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Turkey on display in Riyadh
Brief Analysis
Arab Gulf States Shift Toward More Harmonious Relations
After years of simmering tension, the recent evidence of positive change cannot be ignored.
Jan 30, 2023
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  • Simon Henderson
Houthi code of conduct paper
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Between the Lines: Understanding the Houthi Employment Code of Conduct
Since the failure of international efforts to renew the ceasefire in Yemen this past November, the Houthi movement has—with increasing speed—spread its influence and dominance over the men and women living under its control.
Jan 15, 2023
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  • Laila Lutf Al-Thawr
Brief Analysis
Secretive Agenda for Pakistani Military Visit to Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Official mentions of “military and defense cooperation” could include sharing of nuclear and missile technology.
Jan 9, 2023
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  • Simon Henderson
Composite image showing the cover of the book "25 Days to Aden" and a UAE tank.
In-Depth Reports
25 Days to Aden
The Unknown Story of Arabian Elite Forces at War
An in-depth look at the dramatic campaign by Arab special forces and Yemeni tribesmen to liberate a crucial port city.
January 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.
Brief Analysis
Assessing Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip
His discussions on nuclear proliferation, energy markets, defense cooperation, and other issues offered numerous contrasts with President Biden’s summer meetings in Saudi Arabia—as well as some unexpected criticism of Iran.
Dec 22, 2022
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  • Grant Rumley
  • Carol Silber
  • Eric Feely
  • Sarah Cahn
  • Sude Akgundogdu
  • Lauren von Thaden
  • Faris Almaari
Muscat
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
A Stabilizing Factor: Oman’s Quiet Influence amid Mounting Uncertainty in the Gulf
Based on its sound reputation as a conflict mediator and talks facilitator, Oman is well-positioned to tone down flaring rivalries in the Gulf and prevent tensions from spiraling out of control.
Dec 22, 2022
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  • Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon durnig a meeting with Russian President Vladimor Putin in Rihady - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Saudi Prisoner Diplomacy During the Ukraine War
Washington and Riyadh once again seem unable to keep their misunderstandings private, but the Saudi crown prince has proven his ability to mediate certain U.S.-Russian disputes if called on.
Dec 20, 2022
◆
  • Bennett Neuhoff
UAE Flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
New UAE Poll Shows Nuance on Domestic Issues; Growing Public Uncertainty over U.S. Relations; Split Views of Iran & Israel
Although many results are consistent with past polling, the most recent Emirati survey reveals interesting perspectives on Iran, the economy, and other issues.
Dec 20, 2022
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  • Catherine Cleveland

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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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Featured experts

Patrick Clawson
Patrick Clawson
Patrick Clawson is Morningstar senior fellow and director of research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
Simon Henderson
Simon Henderson
Simon Henderson is the Baker fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at The Washington Institute, specializing in energy matters and the conservative Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
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