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:

Houthi fighters parade with their missile systems in Sanaa in September 2023 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Yemen’s “Southern Hezbollah” Celebrates Coup Anniversary in Deadly Fashion
Ending the war and facilitating other U.S.-Saudi diplomatic tracks is crucial, but neither goal will be served by turning a blind eye to the Houthis’ latest jumps in militarization.
Sep 28, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Farzin Nadimi
The flag of the IAEA
Brief Analysis
Saudi Arabia Signals It Will Accept Stricter Nuclear Inspections
Official statements at the latest IAEA meeting are effectively a concession in the kingdom’s negotiating stance on normalization with Israel.
Sep 26, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia in July 2022
Brief Analysis
Israel Normalization Negotiations and the U.S.-Saudi Defense Relationship
In discussing a potential deal with Israel, Riyadh is pressing Washington for expedited access to more advanced U.S. weaponry.
Sep 25, 2023
◆
  • Grant Rumley
Saudi flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
A Third of Saudis Want Business With Israel Now, Even Without Formal Ties; “Muslim Rights” Top List of Public’s Terms for Full Normalization
A unique new public opinion poll from Saudi Arabia sheds light on popular attitudes there toward a potential deal to “normalize” relations with Israel.
Sep 18, 2023
◆
  • David Pollock
Wang Yi, director of China's Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Minister of State and national security adviser of Saudi Arabia Musaad bin Mohammed Al Aiban shake hands in Beijing in March 2023 - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Gulf De-escalation and Hedging in the Shadow of US Retrenchment
Although any decrease in tensions is welcome, Washington should be concerned that regional rapprochement is being driven by diminished confidence in the United States.
Sep 12, 2023
◆
  • David Schenker
Ships of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet on exercise in the Persian Gulf
Brief Analysis
The Uncertain State of Deterrence in the Persian Gulf
Despite conducting military drills and maintaining a defiant tone, Iran has avoided further ship seizures, but its demonstrated willingness to take assertive action in this zone of “contested deterrence” remains intact.
Sep 13, 2023
◆
  • Farzin Nadimi
Articles & Testimony
Saudi Arabia and Lebanon: A Love-Hate Relationship
Riyadh won’t lend a helping hand in Lebanon unless Washington takes action on fully implementing the Taif Accord, curbing Captagon smugglers, and reversing Iran and Hezbollah’s takeover of the state.
Sep 12, 2023
◆
  • Hanin Ghaddar
President Joe Biden walks past flags of the member states at a G20 meeting - source: The White House
Articles & Testimony
Biden’s G20 Optimism Won’t Stave Off a Potential Oil Crisis
Because the Saudis and other oil players hold more leverage than the administration may care to admit, prices could balloon once again.
Sep 11, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
AR UAE importance
Articles & Testimony
BRICS Invites the UAE—Another Sign That the Multipolar World Is Here
The bloc’s simultaneous offer of membership to six additional countries shows that middle powers from the Middle East are emerging as key global players.
Aug 24, 2023
◆
  • Nickolay Mladenov
Brief Analysis
Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear “Asks”: What Do They Want, What Might They Get?
Riyadh’s reported price for peace with Israel includes a civil nuclear program, but any such deal will require Washington to carefully balance multiple diplomatic, legal, and proliferation concerns.
Aug 15, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
  • David Schenker
Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
How a Small Saudi City Explains China’s Role in the Saudi-Iran Agreement
China's recent mediation efforts between Riyadh and Tehran were motivated by a combination of strategic outlook and economic interest in the Middle East, signaling a gradual shift away from its traditional "free-riding" approach.
Jul 31, 2023
◆
  • Essa Nahari
Brief Analysis
Risks of Maritime Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
If the United States does not accompany its military deterrent efforts with strong diplomatic signals, the current cycle of ship seizures and Iranian retaliatory measures could spiral into something resembling the 1980s Tanker War.
Jul 21, 2023
◆
  • Farzin Nadimi
A view of the beleaguered FSO Safer oil tanker in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen's rebel-held Rass Issa port in the western Hodeidah province, during operations to remove more than a million barrels of oil from the tanker vessel - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Salvaging the Safer: The UN’s Plan to Avert Environmental Disaster in Yemen
Washington has done much to advocate and fund the crucial salvage operation, but now it needs to make sure the combatants do not turn the replacement vessel into another political tool.
Jun 22, 2023
◆
  • Noam Raydan
A view of the 18th hole of a 2022 LIV Golf tournament in Thailand - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Saudi Arabia’s Golf Game Is About a Lot More Than Golf
The headline sports deal holds wider implications for normalization with Israel, nuclear proliferation, and Saudi modernization, among other pressing bilateral issues.
Jun 18, 2023
◆
  • Dennis Ross
Brief Analysis
Bolstering Saudi Arabia’s CBRN Defenses
The kingdom has substantial gaps in its ability to handle nonconventional attacks or incidents involving the release of hazardous materials, but addressing them now could improve both its readiness at home and its interoperability with foreign forces.
Jun 14, 2023
◆
  • Faris Almaari
A view of the 18th hole of a 2022 LIV Golf tournament in Thailand - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Golf Detente: Saudi Arabia’s LIV to Merge with the PGA
The deal raises questions about Riyadh’s human rights record and media double standards, but its most important outcome may be further diversification of the Saudi economy away from oil dependence.
Jun 7, 2023
◆
  • David Schenker
Articles & Testimony
Will OPEC’s Cuts Stabilize the Oil Market—and Affect Gas Prices at the Pump?
The cartel’s idea of price stability doesn’t match Washington’s, nor will it help international efforts to isolate Russia.
Jun 5, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
Is OPEC About to Play With Oil Prices as the Summer Driving Season Starts?
With Saudi princes publicly warning oil traders and U.S.-Chinese economic factors coming to a head, the markets may be headed for further volatility.
May 26, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Gulf of Aden Migrants
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Migration from the Horn of Africa to Yemen: Not Just a Passing Phenomenon
Though Yemen struggles with economic, political, and environmental issues of its own, more and more migrants are crossing the country's borders in hopes of a better life.
May 25, 2023
◆
  • Muneer Bin Wabar
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
New Kuwait Poll Shows Little Interest in Protests Despite Deadlock, Split Views of Global Powers
In a new public opinion poll commissioned by The Washington Institute and conducted in March-April by an independent regional firm, Kuwaitis appeared averse to any disruptions at home or around the region, even as tensions grow across Kuwait’s political scene.
May 18, 2023
◆
  • Frances McDonough

Pagination

  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • First page « First
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Current 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