Arabian Peninsula and Iraq
Political, economic, and security trends in the GCC states, Iraq, and Yemen
Warfare and volatile oil prices have pummeled the Gulf. The Middle East Program works with others at CSIS to appreciate the new challenges and opportunities in the Gulf and their impact on regional affairs and global politics. We perform original research and analysis and convene events that highlight issues of importance in the Gulf to policy audiences. The program defines the Gulf as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen.
See the Middle East Program's publications and past events on the Gulf HERE.
Featured Analysis

GCC Rift over Qatar Comes to an End
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — January 5, 2021

The Normalization of UAE-Israel Relations
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — August 14, 2020

Why Did China Help Saudi Arabia and Iran Resume Diplomatic Ties?
CSIS's Jon B. Alterman answers critical questions about the China-brokered diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 10, 2023

Peter Salisbury: Yemen’s Civil War
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman , Will Todman , and Daniel Sharp — July 27, 2021

Photo: /AFP/GettyImages
Settling Kurdish Self-Determination in Northeast Syria
Brief by Will Todman

A Yemeni pro-government fighter fires a heavy machine gun as Emirati supported forces take over Houthi bases in southwestern Yemen, on July 1, 2018. - Saleh al-Obeidi/AFP/Getty Images
Aid and Conflict: Pitfalls in Yemen
Brief by Jon B. Alterman

Citizens in Training: Conscription and Nation-building in the United Arab Emirates
Report by Jon B. Alterman and Margo Balboni
All content by Arabian Peninsula and Iraq
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Five Factors Mean the Middle East Is Not Back to Normal
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — May 23, 2023
Powering Recovery: Reform, Reconstruction, and Renewables in Conflict-Affected States in the Arab World
Report by Will Todman , Jon B. Alterman , and Lubna Yousef — March 3, 2023
Rethinking Saudi Arabia
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — June 23, 2022
The Puzzle of U.S.-Saudi Ties
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — October 20, 2021
Camel Corruption Crackdown
Newsletter by Azim Wazeer — October 20, 2021
High-Tech Hajj
Newsletter by Alana Mitias — September 23, 2021
Iraq in the Balance
Newsletter — August 12, 2021
Abu Dhabi Goes Green for Greens
Newsletter by Buthaina Al Zubair — July 22, 2021
Balancing Priorities
Newsletter by Alana Mitias — June 28, 2021
Junked Food
Newsletter by Humzah Khan — April 27, 2021