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
Navigating the Global Energy Transition: A Conversation with Kuwait Petroleum CEO Sh. Nawaf Al-Sabah
Stability vs. Accountability: The Cost of Political Settlements in the MENA Region

Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
The Unique Promise of Environmental Cooperation in the Gulf
Environmental issues hold unique promise for fostering negotiation and cooperation in the Gulf. A new CSIS brief explores the potential of environmental diplomacy to bring broader geopolitical benefits.
Brief by Will Todman Lubna Yousef and Mennah Abdelwahab — July 11, 2023

Ghaith Abdul-Ahad: Iraq Through Iraqis' Eyes
Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman and Natasha Hall — September 6, 2023

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Biden’s Efforts to Bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman

Photo: MOHAMMED SAWAF/AFP/Getty Images
Whose Water Is It Anyway: How Political Violence and Corruption Has Become Iraq’s Existential Challenge
Commentary by Natasha Hall and Husam Sobhi

KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images
Profile: Arab Youth Climate Movement – Qatar
Blog Post by Will Todman
All Arabian Peninsula and Iraq Content
Filter by
Biden’s Efforts to Bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords
Commentary by Jon B. Alterman — September 22, 2023
Profile: Arab Youth Climate Movement – Qatar
Blog Post by Will Todman — September 20, 2023
Roundtable Summary: Civil Society and Environmental Action in the Gulf
Blog Post by Will Todman — September 20, 2023
The Unique Promise of Environmental Cooperation in the Gulf
Brief by Will Todman Lubna Yousef and Mennah Abdelwahab — July 11, 2023
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