Gulf States

Policy Analysis on Gulf States

Assessing CENTCOM’s Posture in 2023

To meet ambitious goals with reduced resources, the U.S. military and its regional partners will need to continue expanding their focus on unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, agile combat employment, and integrated air defense.

Jan 24, 2023

◆

Nathan P. Olsen

Israeli and Arab foreign ministers, along with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken, at the Negev Summit - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Forty Percent of Saudis and Emiratis Still Accept Israeli Contacts, Even Under Netanyahu

Approval for contacts with Israelis remained steady through 2022, even as hesitancy on Abraham Accords continued.

Jan 19, 2023

◆

David Pollock

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

◆

Laila Lutf Al-Thawr

Israeli prime minister Natanyahu and U.S. president Biden in Jerusalem in 2021 - Source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu’s Potential Friction Points with Biden (Part 2): Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and Domestic Issues

The prime minister will need a great deal of U.S. military and diplomatic assistance to achieve his foreign policy imperatives—a fact he should not forget when mulling potentially divisive moves at home.

Jan 10, 2023

◆

David Makovsky

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

◆

Simon Henderson

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

Articles & Testimony

How I Got the Inside Story of the UAE’s Liberation of Aden

By conversing and embedding with Emirati soldiers over the course of several years, a Washington Institute military expert was able to capture the history and stakes of an unsung operation to save Yemen’s strategically crucial port city.

Jan 6, 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

◆

Grant Rumley
Carol Silber
Eric Feely
Sarah Cahn
Sude Akgundogdu
Lauren von Thaden
Faris Almaari

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

◆

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

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

◆

Catherine Cleveland

Leaders assemble for the France-sponsored Baghdad Conference in August 2021 - source: Government of Iraq

Brief Analysis

A Baghdad Summit in Amman: Implications for Regional Stability

The French-sponsored event could be a welcome starting point for wider cooperation between Iraq’s new government and its Arab neighbors—particularly Jordan—but only time will tell whether agreements made there come to fruition.

Dec 19, 2022

◆

Louis Dugit-Gros
Ghaith al-Omari
Bilal Wahab

Fikra Forum

New Saudi Poll: Some Surprises on the U.S., Iran, Israel, Oil, and More

Saudis voiced their thoughts on global partners, internal dynamics, and regional issues, including opinions on the Iranian protests and nuclear dilemma.

Dec 16, 2022

◆

David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Are the Saudis Reconsidering Their Nuclear Posture?

Various historical and recent factors suggest that the nuclear dimension of Gulf politics is again in flux amid a deepening world energy crisis.

Dec 12, 2022

◆

Simon Henderson

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Beijing - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Middle East in a Multipolar Era: Why America’s Allies Are Flirting With Russia and China

Because many states are eschewing both alignment with a single great power and nonalignment, the best U.S. response to this “omni-alignment” is creating more tailored opportunities for high-value cooperation with Washington.

Dec 7, 2022

◆

Michael Singh

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh

Brief Analysis

What Saudi Arabia Wants from President Xi’s Visit

China is already one of the kingdom’s major commercial partners and a significant supplier of military and nuclear technology, but Riyadh wants more of each.

Dec 6, 2022

◆

Simon Henderson
Carol Silber

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani receives President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Doha, Qatar - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

UAE Leader Visits Qatar: An Advance, Not a Breakthrough

Sandwiched between meetings with a Taliban leader and Israel’s president, the Doha trip reflects the scope and versatility of Emirati diplomacy.

Dec 5, 2022

◆

Simon Henderson

Fikra Forum

Iran Team’s Ambivalent Approach to Protests During the World Cup

Iran's loss at the World Cup coincides with controversy and tensions both back home and around the globe.

Dec 2, 2022

◆

S. Houseini

Articles & Testimony

Inflation, Soccer, Russia’s Mischief—Will Anyone Pay Attention to OPEC+?

Whether or not the cartel tweaks production quotas at its next meeting, ongoing global crises and the approach of a dark, cold winter in Europe may yet cause economic shudders.

Dec 1, 2022

◆

Simon Henderson

An Iranian soccer fan protests at a World Cup game in Qatar - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Team Melli vs. Team USA: Iran’s Game of Contradictions

The regime’s often-hypocritical handling of this year’s World Cup comes to a head with a matchup against the United States, and a political victory seems unattainable regardless of the results on the field.

Nov 29, 2022

◆

Mehdi Khalaji

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.

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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Gulf States

Policy Analysis on Gulf States

Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute