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Gulf States

Policy Analysis on Gulf States

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Israeli Prime Minister meets Bahraini foreign minister al-Zayan in Manama - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Bennett’s Bahrain Visit Further Invigorates Israel-Gulf Diplomacy
The trip reflects the diplomatic competition between Manama and Abu Dhabi, and also suggests that a breakthrough with the Saudis could be close.
Feb 14, 2022
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  • Simon Henderson
Muslim man praying at al-Aqsa Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Brief Analysis
Saudi Arabia Adjusts Its History, Diminishing the Role of Wahhabism
The first celebration of Founding Day, on February 22, could be accompanied by other changes.
Feb 11, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan watches the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in Beijing - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Middle East at the Olympics: Six Countries Compete While Great Power Politics on Display
Because regional leaders are treating the games as another stage for balancing historic partnerships with current economic and security interests, Washington should keep drawing clear lines regarding their ties with Beijing.
Feb 9, 2022
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  • Carol Silber
A sign identifying the NordStream 2 pipeline - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Energy Markets Take a Costly Turn with the Drama of World Tensions
In the current act, Russia enjoys advantages over its Western rivals, including high revenues and the gas that keeps Ukrainians and Germans warm.
Feb 7, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz is greeted by a Bahraini defense official upon his arrival in Manama - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Israeli Defense Minister’s Visit to Bahrain Marks Major Advance
Iran is the dominant issue as top officials meet to finalize security pacts.
Feb 2, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
KH fundraising
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Behind "Grassroots" Iraqi Fundraising for Yemen
The Iran-backed militia tried to make its solo effort to boost the Houthi drone arsenal look like a widely coordinated and highly popular campaign, whereas it was anything but.
Feb 1, 2022
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  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Qatari leader Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Gas Likely to Top Agenda of Qatar’s White House Visit
Originally planned as a thank-you for crucial assistance in last summer’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, the meeting will probably focus on Doha’s potential role in addressing the Ukraine crisis instead.
Jan 31, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Turkish President Erdogan meets Ukrainian President Zelenskiy in Kyiv - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
The Ukraine Crisis: East Meets Mideast?
In theory, Iran, Turkey, the Gulf, and other regional players offer potential leverage of various kinds over Moscow, but closer examination suggests that most of these links are of limited utility at best.
Jan 28, 2022
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  • David Pollock
Robert Satloff
Brief Analysis
“The Holocaust Was an Arab Story Too”: Holocaust Remembrance in the Arab World
المحرقة كانت قصة عربية أيضاً: إحياء ذكرى "الهولوكوست" في العالم العربي
The Washington Institute’s executive director reflects on this year’s wave of remembrance events in the region, including his remarks at two landmark programs in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Jan 28, 2022
◆
  • Robert Satloff
A sign identifying the NordStream 2 pipeline - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
The Russia-Ukraine Crisis Is Creating an Energy Predicament
For once, an emerging energy crisis isn’t Middle East-focused, but it will still have implications for that region, including countries that missed out on hydrocarbon wealth.
Jan 24, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
A Needed Warning for Yemen’s Rebels—and for Our Allies and Enemies Alike
Rarely has it been more important for Washington to show it will stand by a friend in response to an attack that could have resulted in many civilian casualties, including Americans.
Jan 24, 2022
◆
  • Dennis Ross
Pro-government tribal fighters advance in Marib Province, Yeman - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Breaking Point: Consolidating Houthi Military Setbacks in Yemen
Washington can help preserve the recent coalition gains by categorizing the campaign as defensive, deterring further Houthi attacks abroad, and leveraging the next military deadlock to reinvigorate peace talks.
Jan 19, 2022
◆
  • Alex Almeida
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
Houthi Strikes on UAE Open Another Front in Yemen War
As Emirati-aligned forces gain ground on the battlefield in Yemen, the Houthis are trying to raise the costs of Abu Dhabi’s involvement.
Jan 18, 2022
◆
  • Elana DeLozier
A professional golfer at a tournament in the UAE - Source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
The Golf War on the Arabian Peninsula
The Emirates are the region’s leading destination for the sport, but Saudi Arabia is coming on strong as part of their broader economic competition.
Dec 26, 2021
◆
  • David Schenker
Brief Analysis
IRGC Conducts “Hybrid” Military Drills as Nuclear Talks Teeter
The timing of the exercise and the types of systems and tactics on display reveal much about Iran’s likely response to any uptick in foreign pressure.
Dec 22, 2021
◆
  • Farzin Nadimi
Israeli Prime Minister Bennett meets with the UAE's foreign minister in December 2021 - Source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Bennett Visit Shows the UAE Balancing Between Israeli Ties and Regional De-escalation
The meeting confirmed how eager both countries are to keep their economic progress humming along, but such cooperation could become complicated if concerns about Iran’s nuclear program come to a head.
Dec 16, 2021
◆
  • David Makovsky
Brief Analysis
Gulf Arab Summit Could Be Overshadowed by Israel-UAE Meeting
Normalization with Israel will be the elephant in the room at the Riyadh summit, though Iran diplomacy and persistent internal rifts bear close watching as well.
Dec 13, 2021
◆
  • Simon Henderson
  • Elana DeLozier
President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken host the Summit for Democracy. Source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Summit for Democracy Skips the Arab World
To address the region’s democracy gap, Washington needs to develop consistent messaging on reform objectives and help its partners focus on achievable goals such as protecting free speech, dissidents, and civil society.
Dec 8, 2021
◆
  • Ben Fishman
Articles & Testimony
Will an Apparent Saudi Concession on Oil Production Drop US Prices at the Pump?
It is unclear how long any price effects might last, and Riyadh may yet expect a diplomatic quid pro quo from Washington.
Dec 3, 2021
◆
  • Simon Henderson
An Emirati family relaxes on the shore in Dubai
Articles & Testimony
The UAE’s Second Half-Century: Building Forward to What?
The country is well-positioned to further the progress it has made on multiple fronts, from balancing relations with competing regional and global powers, to diversifying its economy and addressing long-term environmental concerns.
Dec 2, 2021
◆
  • David Pollock

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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

Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Eisenstadt is the Kahn Senior Fellow and director of The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program.
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.
Michael Knights
Michael Knights
Michael Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and cofounder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias.
Elizabeth Dent - source: The Washington Institute
Elizabeth Dent
Elizabeth Dent is a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where she focuses on U.S. foreign and defense policy toward the Gulf states, Iraq, and Syria.
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