Gulf States

Policy Analysis on Gulf States

Preventing a Middle Eastern Gordian Knot

The situation in the Middle East is beginning to resemble the Balkans: either the Balkans in the early 1990s, before Washington woke up and played its role as security leader, or the Balkans before World War I, when no one woke up.

Feb 3, 2016

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James Jeffrey
Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

In the Regional Power Struggle, has Erbil Decided to Join the Sunni Bloc?

The security of the Kurdistan Region-Iraq (KRI) depends more on agreements between Erbil and Kurdistan’s neighbors than the KRI’s own security and intelligence capabilities. Whenever the regional powers surrounding the KRI have suspected that their interests are at risk, they have not hesitated to put the KRI’s security and stability

Jan 29, 2016

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Frzand Sherko

Articles & Testimony

The Truth About Sectarianism

Rather than postulating alternatives to centuries-old sectarian doctrines, Washington should focus on preventing exploitative actors from institutionalizing their violent vision through schools and bureaucracies.

Jan 25, 2016

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

Facts and Fictions: A Defense of the U.S.-Saudi Relationship

Despite very different values and tactical preferences, Washington and Riyadh continue to share important strategic interests, and it would be the height of folly to throw them overboard because of misguided reactions to recent events.

Jan 21, 2016

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Female Victory in Municipal Elections: Overrated or Underestimated?

Around twenty Saudi women won municipal elections last month, and the news of Saudi women making history through political participation went viral. Talk shows discussed Saudi women’s victory and social media networkers congratulated Saudi women for their remarkable accomplishment. While some commentators overrated women's gain on the political level, others

Jan 20, 2016

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Heba Albeity

Articles & Testimony

Sectarianism, Riyadh’s Weapon Against International Demands

There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is now wary—as are the rest of the Arab countries—of something like the Arab spring breaking out in the region. As a result, Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is keen to distract attention away from internal

Jan 15, 2016

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Muhammad Mansour

Fikra Forum

Sectarianism, Riyadh’s Weapon Against International Demands

January 15, 2016 There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is now wary—as are the rest of the Arab countries—of something like the Arab spring breaking out in the region. As a result, Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is keen to distract attention

Jan 15, 2016

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Arabia and the Case for Rebalancing U.S. Foreign Policy

The United States needs a new doctrine for the Middle East. This new strategy should acknowledge that some allies in the Muslim world, especially Saudi Arabia, no longer act as forces of stability. The U.S. administration must demand demonstrable changes in state-sanctioned religious indoctrination if it hopes to mitigate the

Jan 15, 2016

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Omar Al-Nidawi

Brief Analysis

Saudi Terrorism Trials and the Executions

The executions earlier this month followed an upsurge in convictions in the Specialized Criminal Court.

Jan 14, 2016

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Sailors aboard a Turkish Naval Forces warship - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Turkey's New Base in Qatar

Having a permanent military foothold in the Gulf will put Turkey in an elite group of powers, but more presence also means more exposure, whether to Saudi-Iranian tensions or other local crises.

Jan 11, 2016

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Olivier Decottignies
Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Saudi Defense Minister Visits Pakistan to Repair Strained Relations

The prince's latest foreign policy initiative is to confer with Islamabad, presumably seeking help with Iran, and potentially including military and nuclear cooperation.

Jan 11, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

What Would a Saudi-Iran War Look Like? Don't Look Now, But It Is Already Here

Even a short, sharp burst of direct military clashes would serve as a reminder to both sides of the overriding imperative to keep their conflict limited to the territories of unfortunate third parties.

Jan 11, 2016

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

The Next King of Saudi Arabia

The momentum of Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the king's young son, appears almost unstoppable, but many oppose his ascent.

Jan 8, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Saudis Are Rightly Concerned About Iran

Although creating further distance with the Saudis would be unwise, Riyadh still needs to see that U.S. security commitments are affected when it adds to conflicts rather than containing or resolving them.

Jan 5, 2016

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Dennis Ross

Discussing Recent Poll Results from the Middle East

An Egyptian analyst and a Washington Institute expert discuss the results and implications of the latest Institute polls conducted in the region, touching on the Syria war, Iran, perceptions of U.S. policy, and other pressing issues.

Jan 5, 2016

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Riyadh's Message Is to Washington as Well as Tehran

Unless the Obama administration demonstrates stronger resolve in responding to Iranian aggression, the Saudis and other Gulf monarchies will continue to take vigorous action of their own, likely in ways Washington finds unhelpful.

Jan 4, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

Brief Analysis

Saudi-Iranian Diplomatic Crisis Threatens U.S. Policy

Washington must act promptly to prevent the execution of a Saudi Shiite leader and the Riyadh-Tehran diplomatic break from imperiling the fight against the Islamic State and the Iran nuclear accord.

Jan 4, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Islamic State Is Financially Self-Sufficient

The Institute's Fromer-Wexler Fellow contributes to a BBC roundtable on the question 'Is Saudi Arabia to blame for the Islamic State?'

Dec 19, 2015

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Yemen Missile Strike Jeopardizes Peace Talks

U.S.-led diplomatic efforts had aimed to make up for the recent lack of military progress and stave off a humanitarian crisis, but a deadly rebel attack could threaten the planned ceasefire.

Dec 14, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Israel's Gulf Breakthrough

A new Israeli diplomatic office in the UAE is a rare public indication of a broader trend.

Nov 30, 2015

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Simon Henderson

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 is the Kahn Senior Fellow and director of The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program.

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 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

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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Policy Analysis on Gulf States

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