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Gulf States

Policy Analysis on Gulf States

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Brief Analysis
Riyadh Agreement Delivers Political Gains in Yemen, But Implementation Less Certain
The new agreement will score a win if it brings the most important players to the table for wider talks, but implementing its often-vague provisions so quickly will prove challenging.
Nov 5, 2019
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  • Elana DeLozier
Brief Analysis
Understanding the Saudi Aramco IPO
The long-anticipated stock selloff has finally been green-lit, but doubts remain about just how much it will help to economically transform the kingdom.
Nov 4, 2019
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  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
The U.S.: Between Being the World’s Policeman and Trusting Regional Partners
Despite long-documented public weariness with Middle East conflicts, Trump’s successor could well recognize the value of reestablishing American credibility in the region.
Oct 28, 2019
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  • Dennis Ross
A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Bahrain Hosts Regional Maritime Security Meeting
The first such gathering since the recent spate of Iranian attacks, the multinational meeting could help Washington build a coalition capable of preventing future flare-ups.
Oct 21, 2019
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  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
Attack on Iranian Tanker Could Be Tensions Flowing to Red Sea
The Persian Gulf is more crucial in oil terms, but if hostilities expand to the Red Sea, Iran could gain extra leverage against its adversaries on energy and trade matters.
Oct 15, 2019
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  • Simon Henderson
Kuwait City at sunset.
Maps & Graphics
In-Depth Reports
Kuwait: A Changing System Under Stress
Sudden Succession Essay Series
In a Gulf region experiencing sharp tensions, how might a leadership transition in Kuwait affect a much-needed node of stability?
Oct 4, 2019
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  • Kristian Coates Ulrichsen
  • Simon Henderson
◆ Sudden Succession Essay Series
Articles & Testimony
U.S.-Saudi Ties, a Year After Khashoggi’s Death
The crown prince’s televised apologies and welcome domestic reforms are overshadowed by his government’s ongoing litany of human rights abuses.
Oct 3, 2019
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  • Simon Henderson
Saudi ARAMCO oil storage facility
Video
Brief Analysis
Responding to the Saudi Oil Attack: A Challenge for U.S. Policy
Three experts discuss Washington’s potential reaction, which will have powerful implications not only in the Gulf states, but everywhere that America and its allies face off against Iran and its proxies, from Iraq to Lebanon to Gaza.
Oct 1, 2019
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  • Suzanne Maloney
  • Norman Roule
  • Michael Singh
Brief Analysis
How to Present Evidence of Iranian Involvement in the Saudi Attack
By working effectively with the UN, Washington and Riyadh can help foster global consensus on Iran’s culpability, creating a firm basis for multilateral censure that could induce caution in Tehran.
Sep 26, 2019
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  • Michael Knights
  • Tim Michetti
Brief Analysis
Plugging the Gaps in Saudi Arabia’s Air Defenses
The kingdom already has much of the equipment needed to intercept Iranian air attacks, but it needs Washington’s help on reacting more quickly, deterring Tehran, and establishing joint defense networks with other Gulf states.
Sep 25, 2019
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  • Michael Knights
  • Conor Hiney
Articles & Testimony
Iran Is Surviving, in Spite of Trump's 'Maximum Pressure'
Regardless of the Hormuz initiative's supposedly peaceful intent, foreign officials should be careful not to give Tehran any rights in the strategic waterway that don’t have to be given.
Sep 25, 2019
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  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
Iran Is Testing the Trump Administration
Tehran seems to believe that anything goes, and the wrong U.S. response may just reinforce that conviction.
Sep 24, 2019
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  • Dennis Ross
Articles & Testimony
Seven Black Swans in the Middle East
Events considered impossible tend to happen in the region with unusual frequency, so when will the next one appear?
Sep 24, 2019
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  • Martin Kramer
Brief Analysis
Bringing Diplomacy Back to the Pressure Campaign Against Iran
U.S. leadership must be buttressed not by unrealistic threats, but by deterrent actions and collective diplomacy that constrain Tehran’s room for attacks while defining the path to negotiations.
Sep 23, 2019
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  • Barbara A. Leaf
Articles & Testimony
The U.S. Needs International Partners to Control Iran’s Aggression
President Trump should use his UN speech and side meetings to seek cooperation with European partners and lay the foundation for a ‘better deal’ with Iran down the road.
Sep 23, 2019
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  • Ben Fishman
Brief Analysis
Iran’s Push for ‘Regime Change’ in Saudi Arabia and Washington
Emboldened by their success in attacking Gulf and U.S. interests with relative impunity, Iranian leaders are now aiming to disgrace the Saudi royal family and foster Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election.
Sep 20, 2019
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  • Mehdi Khalaji
Maps & Graphics
In-Depth Reports
Defeating al-Qaeda's Shadow Government in Yemen:
The Need for Local Governance Reform
Recent U.S. attention in Yemen has focused largely on the war against the Iranian-backed Houthis, but another threat endures: al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. U.S. efforts to confront AQAP have historically relied on counterterrorism approaches such as air and drone strikes, direct-action raids, and partnerships with indigenous and coalition security
Sep 19, 2019
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  • Daniel Green
Articles & Testimony
Trump Must React to the Attacks on Saudi Arabia. But a Quick Fix Won’t Be Enough.
U.S. pressure has put Iran in a corner economically but not politically or militarily, so the Supreme Leader seems to believe there is little to lose unless Washington shows it will ease sanctions or launch strikes.
Sep 16, 2019
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  • Dennis Ross
Brief Analysis
A Credibility Test for U.S.-Saudi Defense Relations and Iran Deterrence
The suspected missile attack is the most significant strike on Gulf energy targets in decades, and consequences need to be levied on Iran, whether in the military or diplomatic spheres.
Sep 16, 2019
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  • Michael Knights
Articles & Testimony
Iran’s Strength and Strategy Show with Saudi Oilfield Attacks
So far, Tehran appears to have judged quite well what it can get away with, a track record that will likely give Riyadh pause as it considers its response.
Sep 16, 2019
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  • Simon Henderson

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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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