AGSI
Ballad: Moza Almatrooshi’s Homage to the Landscape
Moza Almatrooshi, an Emirati artist and chef, reflects on the inaugural season of ballad, her community culinary initiative.
The Gulf at the Venice Biennale: Cultural Exchange Amid the Shadow of War
Gulf national pavilions at the 61st Venice Biennale seek to uphold local heritage amid regional and global instability.
Conversations Across Time: Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale returned a third time with intergenerational dialogues that created a timeline of change, adaptation, and reflection in Saudi Arabia.
The Emir Who Refused To Hide
Under Emir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar would be known – as a mediator, a broadcaster, a host of mega sports events, and an investor – and that notoriety would itself become a form of security: deterrence by relevance.
Saudi Arabia Reflects on Underwhelming World Cup
Following Saudi Arabia’s early exit from the World Cup, the kingdom’s soccer authorities may enter a period of introspection considering challenges that have cast a shadow over the post-2023 landscape of Saudi soccer.
Sea Mines in Hormuz: Deciphering the U.S. Mine-Clearing Delay
With an aging and largely untested fleet, U.S. mine clearing operations can restore maritime access but only under favorable political and operational conditions.
Saudi Arabia Weathers the Iran War Thanks to Investments in “Economic Resiliency”
The impact of the Iran war on the Saudi economy has been mitigated by investments in “economic resiliency,” including the East-West oil pipeline, relatively prudent fiscal policy, and the accumulation of a large stock of foreign financial assets.
Jul 14, 2026
Beyond the U.S.-Iran MoU: The Future of the U.S. Security Commitment to the Gulf and the Emerging Regional Security Order
On July 14, an AGSI delegation participated in a joint roundtable hosted by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Jun 25, 2026
Investing in Syria: From Policy Intention to Operational Execution
The Arab Gulf States Institute, Middle East Institute Switzerland, and Università Ca' Foscari co-hosted a roundtable on U.S. investment in Syria.
Book Talk: Iran and the Bomb: The United States, Iran and the Nuclear Question
On June 16, AGSI hosted a discussion on the evolution of Iran's nuclear program.
Jun 10, 2026
Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the World Cup
On June 10, AGSI hosted a discussion on Saudi Arabia's growing engagement in the global soccer community.
Petro Diplomacy 2026: Energy in Crisis: Markets and Geopolitics of Supply
On June 8, AGSI convened its Petro Diplomacy conference for the 12th consecutive year.
Jun 4, 2026
Screening of Iraqi Film “The President’s Cake”
On June 4, AGSI and the National Museum of Asian Art co-hosted a screening of “The President’s Cake.”
Jun 4, 2026
Will a U.S.-Iran Deal Bring a New Order for the Gulf?
On June 4, AGSI hosted a discussion on the implications of a potential U.S.-Iranian agreement for Gulf security.
May 20, 2026
Toxic Spillover: Conflict and Environmental Risk in the Gulf
On May 20, AGSI hosted a discussion on the environmental impacts of the Iran conflict.
May 12, 2026
Book Talk: Realizing Saudi Vision 2030: Governance, Institutions and Human Capital Development
On May 12, AGSI hosted a discussion on the implementation of Vision 2030.
May 12, 2026
Iraq in a New Middle East: Government Formation and Regional Challenges
On May 12, AGSI hosted a discussion on the new government in Iraq.
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.
Ambassador Douglas A. Silliman
President, AGSI
Ambassador William Roebuck
Executive Vice President, AGSI
Jul 15, 2026
Al Araby TV: In an interview, Amb. William Roebuck discussed how U.S. domestic opposition to the terms of the MoU and Iranian attacks on shipping in the Gulf undermined the status quo of the previous month, leaving the United States to manage mounting escalation risks without a viable diplomatic off-ramp.
Robert Mogielnicki
Non-Resident Fellow, AGSI
Anna L. Jacobs
Non-Resident Fellow, AGSI; Gulf Regional Advisor, European Institute of Peace
Hussein Ibish
Senior Resident Scholar, AGSI
Ali Alfoneh
Senior Fellow, AGSI
Abbas Kadhim
Senior Resident Scholar and Director, Iraq Program, AGSI