Skip to main content
TWI logo The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
logo
wordmark
Homepage

Main navigation

  • Analysis
  • Experts
  • About
  • Support
  • Maps & Multimedia
Trending:
  • Democracy & Reform
  • Terrorism
/
  • Lebanon
  • Iran
  • Israel
  • Syria

Regions & Countries

  • Egypt
  • Gulf States
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Middle East
  • North Africa
  • Palestinians
  • Syria
  • Turkey

Issues

  • Arab & Islamic Politics
  • Arab-Israeli Relations
  • Democracy & Reform
  • Energy & Economics
  • Great Power Competition
  • Gulf & Energy Policy
  • Military & Security
  • Peace Process
  • Proliferation
  • Terrorism
  • U.S. Policy
TWI English
TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية Fikra Forum

Breadcrumb

  • Policy Analysis

Gulf & Energy Policy

Policy Analysis on Gulf & Energy Policy

Filter by:

A worker monitors panels in a Saudi solar energy field - source: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Articles & Testimony
A New Energy Order in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
The two Gulf states are combining fossil fuel production with ambitions to become low-carbon leaders, and Washington risks getting left behind if it ignores the trend.
May 19, 2025
◆
  • Noam Raydan
Flight deck crew issues commands to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet prior to launch from the carrier USS Harry S. Truman - source: Department of Defense
Articles & Testimony
What the End of the Houthi Campaign Means for U.S. Power
Despite the embarrassing PR, “mowing the grass” by targeting Houthi capabilities and personnel has value if repeated periodically—perhaps by an Israeli-Arab “Red Sea security group” if Washington is no longer willing to take the lead.
May 19, 2025
◆
  • Michael Knights
President Trump arrives in Doha during his May 2025 Gulf trip - source: White House
Video
Articles & Testimony
President Trump's Gulf Trip: A Whirlwind Three Days in the Region
In this final of several daily videos from Washington Institute scholars, Robert Satloff summarizes the economic, diplomatic, and cultural implications of President Trump's May 2025 trip to the Gulf region.
May 16, 2025
◆
  • Robert Satloff
◆ President Trump's 2025 Gulf Trip
Children wave US and UAE flags during President Trump's May 2025 visit to Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters
Video
Articles & Testimony
President Trump's Gulf Trip: Investment, AI, and Semiconductors in the UAE on Day Three
In this fifth of several daily videos from Washington Institute scholars, Elizabeth Dent shares details of deals reached or announced in Abu Dhabi on the third day of President Trump's May 2025 trip to the Gulf region.
May 15, 2025
◆
  • Elizabeth Dent
◆ President Trump's 2025 Gulf Trip
Articles & Testimony
Trump in His Happy Place: Purple Carpets and Big Deals in Saudi Arabia
Maintaining the trip’s momentum and atmosphere could prove challenging as he travels to other stops and then returns to Washington.
May 14, 2025
◆
  • Simon Henderson
President Trump meets with Qatari leader Tamim al-Thani in Qatar in May 2025 - source: Reuters
Video
Articles & Testimony
President Trump's Gulf Trip: Economics and Diplomacy in Qatar on Day Two
In this fourth of several daily videos from Washington Institute scholars, Simon Henderson presents details of economic and diplomatic initiatives involving Qatar on the second day of President Trump's May 2025 trip to the Gulf region.
May 14, 2025
◆
  • Simon Henderson
◆ President Trump's 2025 Gulf Trip
Video
Brief Analysis
President Trump's Gulf Visit: Setting the Stage for Strategic Wins
Experts and former diplomats discuss what Gulf leaders are expecting from the trip, including which regional issues they are most keen on adding to the planned slate of business talks.
May 12, 2025
◆
  • Dennis Ross
  • Emile Hokayem
  • Joyce Karam
President Donald Trump meeting with King Salman in Saudi Arabia in 2017 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
President Trump’s High-Stakes Gulf Trip Requires More Than Good Business
The president is expected to focus on big investment deals and arms sales during his Gulf tour, but he also needs to address some urgent security issues if he wants to come home with a win.
May 8, 2025
◆
  • Elizabeth Dent
  • Simon Henderson
Flight deck crew issues commands to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet prior to launch from the carrier USS Harry S. Truman - source: Department of Defense
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Is the Houthi Threat a Checkmate for U.S. Military Logistics?
The Iran-backed militia’s disruption of Red Sea shipping is threatening America’s ability to rapidly deploy and supply its forces in the Middle East and beyond, but a combination of logistical workarounds, military measures, and diplomatic efforts may be the answer.
Apr 21, 2025
◆
  • James E. Shepard
Brief Analysis
What a U.S.-Saudi Nuclear “Pathway” Might Mean for the Iran Talks
Rather than clearing a route to normalization with Israel, a Saudi nuclear agreement with Washington may be key to addressing Iran’s military nuclear potential and wider proliferation concerns in the region.
Apr 16, 2025
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Photo of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.
Brief Analysis
Setting Up the Next Phase of U.S.-UAE Nuclear Cooperation
With the U.S. point man on energy development touring the Gulf and Chinese and Russian nuclear initiatives on the rise, the Trump administration should consider how best to replicate the responsible Emirati model elsewhere in the region.
Apr 11, 2025
◆
  • Noam Raydan
Articles & Testimony
Trump’s Gulf Trip Will Test Regional Nerves and Alliances
With oil prices sliding and Iran talks ahead, the Gulf states are bracing for a high-stakes presidential visit.
Apr 9, 2025
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salma meet in Jeddah in March 2025 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Saudi Arabia’s Emergence as a Diplomatic Broker
Riyadh has demonstrated the desire and ability to play a bigger diplomatic role in the Middle East and beyond, so Washington should support these aspirations—while taking care to balance relations with other Gulf states and ensure that Riyadh contributes constructively.
Mar 12, 2025
◆
  • Elizabeth Dent
A Houthi helicopter approaches a civilian cargo ship in the Red Sea in 2023 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Despite the Houthi Pledge to Limit Attacks, the Red Sea Remains Highly Volatile
The Houthis have shown little willingness or ability to accurately distinguish between the ships they target, leaving Washington and its partners with no choice but to doubt the group’s supposed “ceasefire” and keep up the pressure.
Jan 27, 2025
◆
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi
President Donald Trump meeting with King Salman in Saudi Arabia in 2017 - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Expect the Unexpected with Trump and the Gulf
Whatever the new administration decides on major regional issues—from Gulf involvement in postwar Gaza to next steps on Iran—local leaders should be prepared to wait awhile and brace for surprises.
Jan 24, 2025
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Djibouti-flagged Lahar oil tanker
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
What Does the Red Sea Crisis Reveal About Sanctioned Ships?
Two sanctioned Russia-linked oil tankers, which were attacked by the Houthis in 2023 and 2024, recently changed their names and are flying the Djiboutian flag amid stricter Western sanctions.
Jan 17, 2025
◆
  • Noam Raydan
◆ Maritime Spotlight
Articles & Testimony
The Current and Future Houthi Threat to the Middle East
An effective response to the group's persistent aggression should include strengthening the United Nations verification and inspection mechanism, preparing sanctions against actors who violate UN resolutions, and taking steps to interdict arms transfers.
Dec 29, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
Expanding C-SIPA to Britain Signals Continued Commitment to Integration
By adding Britain ahead of Trump’s inauguration, the parties hope to sustain the agreement’s vision of building an integrated defense structure and forming a network of trusted partners for economic and technological development.
Dec 9, 2024
◆
  • Elizabeth Dent
Semiconductor image over map of UAE with U.S. Capitol dome
Maps & Graphics
In-Depth Reports
Semiconductors, AI, and the Gulf:
Policy Considerations for the United States
In seeking to bolster partnerships and simultaneously protect U.S. technology, officials will need to navigate export options ranging from permissive to restrictive.
Nov 18, 2024
◆
  • Elizabeth Dent
  • Grant Rumley
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Gulf Energy Transition: Assessing Saudi and Emirati Goals
The energy transition in both countries includes a continued need for fossil fuels while reducing emissions—though Riyadh hopes to export “all forms of energy” down the road, and Abu Dhabi seeks nuclear advances to meet power demand.
Nov 8, 2024
◆
  • Noam Raydan

Pagination

  • Current page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • …
  • Last page Last »
  • Next page Next ›
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.

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

Sign up

Featured experts

Patrick Clawson
Patrick Clawson
Patrick Clawson is the Morningstar Senior Fellow and Research Counselor at The Washington Institute.
Simon Henderson
Simon Henderson
Simon Henderson is the Baker Senior 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.
Background image with TWI branding
logo
wordmark
Homepage

1111 19th Street NW - Suite 500
Washington D.C. 20036
Tel: 202-452-0650
Fax: 202-223-5364

Footer contact links

  • Contact
  • Press Room
  • Subscribe

The Washington Institute seeks to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them.

The Institute is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax-deductible.

Footer quick links

  • About TWI
  • Support the Institute
  • Alumni

Social media

  • The Washington Institute on Facebook facebook
  • The Washington Institute on X x
  • The Washington Institute on YouTube youtube
  • The Washington Institute on LinkedIn linkedin

© 2025 All rights reserved.

Footer

  • Employment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rights & Permissions