Gulf States

Policy Analysis on Gulf States

One Small Handshake for the United States, One Giant Leap for U.S.-Saudi Relations

President Biden has a powerful moral imperative for ending his feud with the crown prince: to ensure that the kingdom’s gradual pivot away from extremism doesn’t falter.

Jun 29, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia

Articles & Testimony

Can Biden Convince Saudis to See the Western Position on Russia?

Improving U.S. relations with Riyadh is the only way to shift the Saudi stance toward Russia—failing that, Biden’s trip is unlikely to yield a strategic success.

Jun 28, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Articles & Testimony

The Facts on What’s Behind Our Energy Crunch and High Gas Prices

An expert untangles the many factors driving energy costs amid complications such as the Ukraine crisis, U.S.-Saudi diplomacy, and the green debate.

Jun 24, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Engaging the Saudis Does Not Require Biden to Forego Our Concern for Human Rights

The president will still be able to set boundaries with Riyadh—while also addressing other major issues such as national security, rampant energy costs, and normalization with Israel.

Jun 22, 2022

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Dennis Ross

Ships of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet on exercise in the Persian Gulf

Articles & Testimony

Fixing Washington’s Gulf Rift

From Abu Dhabi and Riyadh’s perspective, there is no substitute for an American partner with the will to militarily deter or answer Iran’s regional aggression.

Jun 21, 2022

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David Schenker

Israeli and UAE flags flying together in Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Abraham Accords and the Changing Shape of the Middle East

A veteran U.S. diplomat reflects on the decades of direct engagement that paved the way to the accords, which have since opened a new avenue for curbing Iran and reanimating Israeli-Palestinian progress.

Jun 21, 2022

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Dennis Ross

President Joe Biden speaks on the phone in the Oval Office of the White House

Articles & Testimony

A Month Out, the Spin Begins on Expectations of Biden’s Saudi Arabia Trip

Despite the recent emphasis on Washington’s “oil vs. human rights” dilemma, the visit’s greatest impact may wind up falling in the Arab-Israel arena.

Jun 15, 2022

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Simon Henderson

High Oil Prices, Middle East Politics Cast Shadow Over Summer’s Start

The Biden administration is seeking to break a stalemate with MbS in Riyadh, but moves by Russia and Iran will also affect the trajectory of energy markets.

May 31, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in 2022 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Return of Old Leader Presents New Opportunities in Somalia

The Biden administration should be encouraged by the incoming president’s ties to the UAE and apparent openness to bolstering the counterterrorism fight and normalizing with Israel.

May 26, 2022

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Ido Levy

UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

De Facto Becomes De Jure as MbZ Is Named UAE President

The succession of one of the most energetic emerging Arab leaders suggests an even more active regional role.

May 16, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Israeli Prime Minister Bennett meets with the UAE's foreign minister in December 2021 - Source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

Building an Arab-Israel Bloc: Can It Compensate for a Reluctant Washington?

Arab, European, and Israeli experts assess the possibilities and limits of normalization, discussing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. retrenchment, and the Palestinian issue.

May 12, 2022

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Nickolay Mladenov
Zohar Palti
Ebtesam al-Ketbi
Karim Haggag

Qatari leader Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Qatari Visit to Iran Suggests Possible Policy Breakthroughs

The emir will likely seek a role in reviving the nuclear agreement, as well as Iranian help with accommodating World Cup fans later this year.

May 11, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Dethroning Lebanon’s “King of Captagon”

A major international drug smuggler with close ties to Hezbollah has continued threatening Lebanese residents and helping the Assad regime next door, giving Washington ample cause to intervene.

May 9, 2022

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Lauren Fredericks

Articles & Testimony

We Can’t Face Down Putin Alone

Some potential allies in the Middle East may not be democracies, but they're not revisionist states either, so the United States cannot afford to write them off.

May 6, 2022

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Dennis Ross

Arab Approval of UAE, Bahrain Peace with Israel

Video

Brief Analysis

New Arab Polls on Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and China: Analysis and Implications

Three public opinion experts discuss what March and April surveys in key states reveal about local attitudes toward U.S. policy.

May 3, 2022

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David Pollock
Catherine Cleveland
Munqith Dagher

Ukrainian soldiers pose with a captured Russian military vehicle - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Russia’s Move on Ukraine Polls Poorly in Arab Gulf

Most Saudi, Emirati, and Kuwaiti citizens appear to oppose Putin’s invasion, but their dim views of Washington’s reliability may limit the region’s willingness to counter Moscow.

Apr 30, 2022

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David Pollock

A Ghauri nuclear-capable missile on parade in Pakistan

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Renewed Saudi-Pakistan Contacts Revive Nuclear Fears

Deadlock in the Iran nuclear talks may prompt action by Riyadh, with Pakistani support.

Apr 27, 2022

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Simon Henderson

An Israeli security officer stands guard at the scene of a terrorist shooting in Tel Aviv, March 2022.

Articles & Testimony

A Badly Needed New Approach to Quelling the Violence

A U.S.-Israel attempt to compel Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas to end terrorist attacks against Israelis could ultimately help reset dynamics, even if such a move generates a costly short-term backlash.

Apr 25, 2022

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Ehud Yaari

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 2): Attributing Attacks to Militia Platforms

Sabereen News has seemingly broadened its capabilities to include simple hacking tactics like DDoS attacks, and it might quickly proceed to more complex exploits.

Apr 25, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 1): Chronology of Recent Attacks

Sabereen News appears to have added cyberattacks to its normal activities of spreading militia propaganda and disinformation, claiming operations against Israeli, Turkish, and Saudi targets.

Apr 25, 2022

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Crispin Smith
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

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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Policy Analysis on Gulf States

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