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 Testimony

Photo: Michael Kohler/CSIS
A Strategic Approach to Red Sea Security
Congressional Testimony by Jon B. Alterman — February 14, 2024
Featured Analysis

Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images
Trump Takes on the Houthis
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 27, 2025
Featured Podcast

Renad Mansour and Sanam Vakil: Iranian Networks in the Middle East
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — March 13, 2025
All Arabian Peninsula and Iraq Content
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Trump Takes on the Houthis
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — March 27, 2025
Iranian Networks in the Middle East
Event — March 6, 2025
Iranian Networks in the Middle East
Transcript — March 6, 2025
The Middle East’s View of the “China Model”
Report by Jon B. Alterman — September 19, 2024
Houthi Aggression and a Roadmap for Peace in Yemen
Event — September 4, 2024
Houthi Aggression and a Roadmap for Peace in Yemen
Transcript — September 4, 2024
What the Red Sea Crisis Reveals about China’s Middle East Strategy
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — February 15, 2024
Why Did the United States Just Bomb Yemen?
Critical Questions by Jon B. Alterman — January 12, 2024
China’s Essential Role in the Gulf States’ Energy Transitions
Brief by Faris Al-Sulayman and Jon B. Alterman — December 11, 2023
“China’s Essential Role in the Gulf States’ Energy Transitions”: Audio Brief with Jon B. Alterman
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman — December 11, 2023
