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

Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Why Trump’s Executive Order on Qatar Marks a Historic Shift

On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order that provides Qatar with an explicit security guarantee in the event of “external attack.” Mona Yacoubian analyzes its timing, significance, and situates it in a broader context.

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Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — October 2, 2025

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Featured Project

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The Trump Administration's Middle East Policy

Shaping an Emerging Regional Order

The Trump administration stands before a historic opportunity to help usher the Middle East into a new era of stability and prosperity. Its engagement in the Middle East is shaping the contours of the emerging regional order—whether by default or design.

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Featured Event

MBS in Washington: What’s Next for U.S.–Saudi Relations?

Presented by Middle East Program
November 6, 2025 • 9:00 – 9:30 am EST

Featured Podcast

All Arabian Peninsula and Iraq Content

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Why Trump’s Executive Order on Qatar Marks a Historic Shift

On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order that provides Qatar with an explicit security guarantee in the event of “external attack.” Mona Yacoubian analyzes its timing, significance, and situates it in a broader context.

Critical Questions by Mona Yacoubian — October 2, 2025

(Un)scripted Diplomacy?

A popular Saudi Ramadan show has an unexpected focus on China.

Blog Post by Ninar Fawal — June 4, 2025

Trump Takes on the Houthis

The Trump administration is escalating attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to Houthi assaults on commercial shipping. The U.S. government is also increasingly blaming Iran for Houthi actions, which could intensify the conflict between the two countries.

Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 27, 2025

Iranian Networks in the Middle East

Renad Mansour, senior research fellow and project director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House and Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House join Dr. Jon Alterman to discuss emerging trends in Iran's transnational networks.

Event — March 6, 2025

Iranian Networks in the Middle East

Renad Mansour, senior research fellow & project director of the Iraq Initiative at Chatham House and Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East & North Africa Programme at Chatham House join Dr. Jon Alterman to discuss emerging trends in Iran's transnational networks.

Transcript — March 6, 2025

The Middle East’s View of the “China Model”

China does not seek to replace or outcompete the United States in the Middle East. Instead, China is working to untie the Middle East from the United States and make the region and the world more receptive to China through its model of political and economic development.

Report by Jon B. Alterman — September 19, 2024

Houthi Aggression and a Roadmap for Peace in Yemen

Maged Al-Madhaji, chair and co-founder of the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, joins Dr. Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, to discuss Houthi attacks on international shipping and the war in Yemen.

Event — September 4, 2024

Houthi Aggression and a Roadmap for Peace in Yemen

The CSIS Middle East Program hosted a conversation with Maged Al-Madhaji, chair and co-founder of the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, on the Houthis’ strategy attacking shipping, military responses, and a way forward to end the war in Yemen.

Transcript — September 4, 2024