The Gulf

The Gulf, traditionally known for its importance to global energy flows, is now vying for economic and political leadership in the Middle East and North Africa, replacing Egypt and the Levant as the region’s center of gravity. In addition to its ambitious economic diversification efforts, Gulf countries have increasingly taken on the role of mediator in both regional and global conflicts, including between Hamas and Israel, the United States and Iran, and Russia and Ukraine. CSIS experts explore the significance of the Gulf’s evolving role and enhanced agency and what both could mean for the trajectory of the region.

Recent Analysis

Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

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

CSIS experts Mona Yacoubian and Michael Ratney, the former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, unpack Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to Washington and what it means for U.S.-Saudi relations moving forward.

Transcript — November 6, 2025

See all analysis on the Gulf

Recent Events

See all events on the Gulf

Related Programs

Experts

Jon Alterman

Jon B. Alterman

Zbigniew Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy
Daniel Byman

Daniel Byman

Director, Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program
Will Todman

Will Todman

Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

All The Gulf Content

Filter by

1 - 10 of 440 results

(Un)scripted Diplomacy?

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

Blog Post by Ninar Fawal — June 4, 2025

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

Babel: Translating the Middle East

Hasan Alhasan: The Strategies of Gulf States

This week on Babel, Jon Alterman speaks with Dr. Hasan Alhasan, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies based in Manama, Bahrain. Prior to joining IISS, he served for five years on the staff of the Crown Prince of Bahrain as a senior analyst on foreign policy and national security. Together, they compare Gulf states’ foreign policies and their underlying strategies. Then, Jon continues the conversation with Will Todman and Leah Hickert to discuss how Gulf states handle shifts in U.S. strategies and what the Gulf expects from its Great Power partners.

Podcast Episode by Jon B. Alterman, Will Todman, and Leah Hickert — July 23, 2024

CSIS Babel

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 and Lubna Yousef — July 11, 2023

Babel: Translating the Middle East

A Mezze: Iran's "Cloudy" Accusations

In mid-2022, Iranian authorities accused Israel and the United Arab Emirates of stealing their rain. But Iran’s increasingly dire water shortages make it harder to blame others for the Iranian government’s poor water management. A new Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program.

Podcast Episode — June 6, 2023

CSIS Babel