Pillar III: Middle East Economic and Energy Transformation

This pillar will explore the Middle East’s economic, energy, and technological transformations from AI and private-sector growth to regional integration and geoeconomic competition

This initiative will focus on the region’s economic and energy transformations. It will specifically explore efforts to develop vibrant private sectors, create jobs, expand economic activity to new sectors and develop new energy alternatives. The initiative will focus on artificial intelligence and potential opportunities, challenges, and implications of its growing importance in the region and globally. It will unpack the potential for economic integration or corridors both within the region and between the Middle East and other regions. It will focus on the new opportunities inherent in stabilizing Lebanon and Syria, bridging the Gulf to the Mediterranean, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative will also deepen understanding of the region’s geoeconomics and address challenges to economic growth and security.

This initiative is made possible by general support to CSIS.

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Featured Analysis

Photo: Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2026

Photo: Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2026

The Houthis Enter the Iran War and Everything Gets Worse

The Houthis’ entry into the Iran war is creating a dangerous new front for Saudi Arabia—potentially forcing it into a military escalation that the United States wants to avoid.

Commentary by Michael Ratney — August 13, 2026

Featured Video

Photo: CSIS

After Hormuz: Will the Houthis Block Another Chokepoint?

On March 28th, Iran's Yemeni proxy joined the war in the Middle East, firing missiles at Israel. But they have not yet played one of the most important cards still at their disposal – attacking shipping in the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint. 

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Featured Event

Featured Project

Photo: Giles Clarke for UN OCHA/Getty Images

Photo: Giles Clarke for UN OCHA/Getty Images

Powering Recovery in the Middle East

Investigating opportunities for donors to support politically- and environmentally-sustainable power infrastructure in conflict-affected settings”

All Pillar III: Middle East Economic and Energy Transformation Content

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Open for Business

This installment of Charting the Middle East spotlights growing trade volumes between Syria and select countries or regions since the fall of Assad and the lifting of sanctions.

Newsletter by Philip Luck — August 20, 2026

The Localization Prescription

This installment of Charting the Middle East examines efforts to reduce reliance on imported pharmaceuticals, as the Iran war heightens the risk for certain medicine shortages.

Newsletter by Kira Nygren — August 6, 2026

Will the U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal Proceed?

President Trump's last-minute link between the U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement and Israel normalization injects new uncertainty into an already contentious deal.

Commentary by Michael Ratney — July 23, 2026

What the Iran War Is Costing Joint Gulf-U.S. Ambitions for AI

For decades, Gulf states invested trillions into the U.S. economy, tied their security to Washington, and bet that alignment was the price of protection. The Iran war raised a clear question: Was alignment the cause of the threat, rather than the cure for it?

Commentary by Joseph A. Farsakh — July 15, 2026

Beyond Oil: Vision 2030 at Ten

This installment of Charting the Middle East explores the progress Saudi Arabia has made in diversifying its economy 10 years after the launch of Vision 2030.

Newsletter by Michael Ratney — July 15, 2026

Saudi Vision 2030 at Ten

Ten years after its launch, Vision 2030 remains Saudi Arabia's roadmap for resilience. The Iran war reinforced—not weakened—the case for economic diversification, with AI, digital infrastructure, and strategic adaptation now central to the kingdom's long-term ambitions.

Brief by Michael Ratney and Adel Hamaizia — July 6, 2026