AGSI
The Gulf’s AI Strategy Needs Resiliency
With the Iran war, large AI projects now sit inside a regional battlespace. The next phase of Gulf AI strategy will need to focus on resilience, continuity, and trusted infrastructure, not only capital and scale.
China’s Mediation Ceiling in the Iran War
For now, China is a stuck actor – drifting until external conditions force a decision or create a window of opportunity.
Iraq’s Oil Export Crisis Needs a Durable Baghdad-Erbil Deal
With the Strait of Hormuz closed and alternative export routes infeasible in the short term, a comprehensive agreement with Erbil can help Baghdad address its critical lack of oil export capability.
The UAE Splits From OPEC
Abu Dhabi’s departure from OPEC signals that discipline within the group is becoming harder to sustain at a time when the global energy market is facing the prospect of a more volatile and uncertain future.
May 12, 2026
10:00am - 11:30am
Book Talk: Realizing Saudi Vision 2030: Governance, Institutions and Human Capital Development
On May 12, AGSI will host a discussion on the implementation of Vision 2030.
Speakers
Apr 30, 2026
Kuwait Reception
On April 30, AGSI hosted a special reception honoring the diplomats and staff recently evacuated from the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait.
Apr 21, 2026
Inside Iran’s Wartime Leadership: Power, Succession, and Regime Stability
On April 21, AGSI hosted a discussion on the evolution of Iran's leadership during the war.
Speakers
Apr 15, 2026
Iran at the Intersection: Conflict, Technology, and Digital Control
On April 15, AGSI hosted a private workshop on understanding how the dynamics of Iran's defense technology, information control, and geopolitical competition connect, led by Visiting Scholar Sara Bazoobandi.
Speakers
Apr 14, 2026
Planning for Postwar Recovery: Economic Outlooks and Policy Responses for the GCC
On April 14, AGSI hosted a discussion on how the Gulf Arab states can transition from crisis management to position themselves for sustainable postconflict growth.
Speakers
Apr 13, 2026
Assessing the U.S.-Iranian Truce and First Round of Negotiations
On April 13, AGSI hosted a discussion on the recently announced U.S.-Iranian two-week cease-fire.
Speakers
Apr 8, 2026
What Do Houthi Attacks on Israel Mean for the Iran War?
On April 8, AGSI hosted a discussion on the Houthis' involvement in the Iran war.
Speakers
Mar 31, 2026
Book Talk: West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East
On March 31, AGSI hosted a discussion on the Middle East's integration with Asia.
Speakers
Mar 25, 2026
UAE Space Ambitions: Building the Space Industrial Base
On March 25, AGSI hosted a discussion on UAE space development.
Mar 24, 2026 - Apr 1, 2026
The Gulf States’ Perspective on the War With Iran, and Where Does Lebanon Fit In?
On March 24 and April 1, AGSI hosted briefings for European diplomats during which AGSI scholars analyzed the Gulf states’ reactions to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the Iranian response.
Mar 18, 2026
In Its Conflict With the United States and Israel, Does Escalation Favor Iran?
On March 18, AGSI hosted a discussion on the escalation of the Iran war.
Speakers
Robert Mogielnicki
Non-Resident Fellow, AGSI
Hussein Ibish
Senior Resident Scholar, AGSI
May 4, 2026
Al Hadath TV: In an interview, Hussein Ibish discussed U.S. efforts to free stranded commercial shipping vessels stuck in the waters of the Gulf, what role European and other states could play in securing freedom of navigation there, and whether Washington might be preparing to resume major bombardment against Tehran.
Ambassador William Roebuck
Executive Vice President, AGSI
Kristin Smith Diwan
Senior Resident Scholar, AGSI
May 3, 2026
Frontlines and Backrooms: In an interview with Vladimir Bobetic, Kristin Smith Diwan discussed how Israel and the Abraham Accords is impacting Gulf response to the Iran war, new visions for regional order, the role of nationalism in structuring Gulf state-society cohesion, and the direction of youth activism.
Tim Callen
Visiting Fellow, AGSI
Ali Alfoneh
Senior Fellow, AGSI
Ambassador Douglas A. Silliman
President, AGSI
Abbas Kadhim
Senior Resident Scholar and Director, Iraq Program, AGSI
Beyond the Cube: Rethinking Urban Ambition in Riyadh
If the first phase of Vision 2030 was designed to capture imagination and reposition the kingdom globally, the next phase may focus on livability and affordability.
Abu Dhabi’s Big Bid on Culture
Alongside its bid to become a regional and global economic powerhouse, the UAE capital is also rising as a new global capital for culture.
Outlook 2026: Prospects and Priorities for U.S.-Gulf Relations in the Year Ahead
On January 8, AGSI hosted a virtual roundtable with its leadership and scholars as they look ahead and assess trends likely to shape the Gulf region and U.S. foreign policy during the coming year.
