Analysis
View AllYielding to Shortage: Gulf Crisis Prompts Fertilizer and Food Shocks
When transportation insurance withdrew from Gulf waters, it triggered an agricultural supply chain shock whose effects will reach crop yields in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America within a single growing season.
From Shield to Target: The Gulf’s Security Dilemma
Regardless of the outcome of ongoing U.S.-Iranian negotiations, Gulf states are likely to speed up the diversification of their defense partnerships, including with each other, though many hurdles have yet to be overcome.
New Regional Corridors Emerge Amid Iran Conflict
One silver lining of the Iran conflict may be the emergence of new, more durable foundations for regional economic integration via more agile trade corridors in the Gulf and beyond.
Business as Usual in the UAE?
The war has hit the United Arab Emirates during a period of cultural and economic flourishing. While life goes on amid continuous Iranian attacks, the country’s residents rally for its postwar return.
Apr 17, 2026
Iran’s Economic Futures: Deal, Stalemate, or War
The April 17 edition of the Iran Media Review highlights a new Iranian economic report predicting different rises in inflation tied to the country’s political future.
Apr 14, 2026
An Iranian Account of the Islamabad Talks
The April 14 edition of the Iran Media Review analyzes an Iranian official’s account of recent U.S.-Iranian negotiations in Pakistan.
Apr 10, 2026
Tehran Signals a Coordinated Strategy Ahead of Islamabad Talks
The April 10 edition of the Iran Media Review considers Iranian officials’ remarks ahead of cease-fire negotiations with the United States.
Apr 3, 2026
Eye for an Eye, Bridge for a Bridge
The April 3 edition of the Iran Media Review examines Iranian responses to President Trump’s April 1 speech and U.S. strikes against an Iranian bridge.
Apr 2, 2026
Saudi Equities Outperform Global Markets
Saudi equity prices have risen since the start of the Iran conflict, outperforming many regional and global markets. Whether this continues will depend on how and when the conflict ends.
The Saudi Fiscal Deficit in 2025 Was Larger Than Expected
The 2025 budget deficit was larger than expected. The 2026 deficit is also likely to exceed the budget target, but higher oil prices may help contain any overrun.
Putting the 2026 Saudi Budget Under the Microscope
The Saudi government projects that the budget deficit will narrow during 2026-28, but this will depend on a rebound in oil prices and tight control of spending.
Nov 19, 2025
The Saudi Trade and Investment Commitment to the United States in Perspective
The $1 trillion Saudi trade and investment commitment to the United States will be extremely difficult to achieve given the size of the Saudi economy and its current financial situation.
Ammar Alsabban: Superman With a Saudi Accent
With passions as diverse as puppetry, podcasting, and superheroes, Ammar Alsabban is redefining the creative limits of Saudi identity.
Rahina: A Jeweler’s Ode to Dhofari Heritage
Through Rahina, Fatma al-Najjar is exploring her Dhofari heritage and tapping into ancestral memories, one piece of jewelry at a time.
10 min read
Independent Researchers Are Advancing UAE History on Social Media
Independent researchers and informal collaboratives have been connecting through social media to fill in gaps in popular knowledge of the United Arab Emirates’ pre-state era.
Manama Story: Preserving the Soul of the City
The Manama Story project seeks to preserve the history of the Bahraini city, one archive at a time.
A New Gulf Partnership
In May, President Donald J. Trump embarked on a trip to the Gulf that signals a new era in U.S.-Gulf relations. AGSI's A New Gulf Partnership series explores the ways U.S. strategic relations with these countries are evolving and offers policy recommendations for the U.S. administration to maximize political and economic influence.
Nov 13, 2024
Energy and Climate Initiative
AGSIW’s Energy and Climate Initiative explores Gulf energy and climate policies, technological advances, and pressing political, social, and environmental issues ahead of COP28.
Nov 5, 2024
U.S. Presidential Election
AGSIW’s U.S. Presidential Election series explores Gulf perspectives on the 2024 election and considers how the election results may shape the future of U.S. engagement in the Gulf region.
Sep 6, 2024
Trees of the Gulf
This series looks at the vital role certain trees play in the region's collective memory, survival, and plans for the future.
All Analysis
Yielding to Shortage: Gulf Crisis Prompts Fertilizer and Food Shocks
When transportation insurance withdrew from Gulf waters, it triggered an agricultural supply chain shock whose effects will reach crop yields in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America within a single growing season.
From Shield to Target: The Gulf’s Security Dilemma
Regardless of the outcome of ongoing U.S.-Iranian negotiations, Gulf states are likely to speed up the diversification of their defense partnerships, including with each other, though many hurdles have yet to be overcome.
New Regional Corridors Emerge Amid Iran Conflict
One silver lining of the Iran conflict may be the emergence of new, more durable foundations for regional economic integration via more agile trade corridors in the Gulf and beyond.
Business as Usual in the UAE?
The war has hit the United Arab Emirates during a period of cultural and economic flourishing. While life goes on amid continuous Iranian attacks, the country’s residents rally for its postwar return.
Can Iraq-Turkey Deal Help Iraqi Water Security?
The success of a new water-sharing deal between Iraq and Turkey hinges on Iraq’s government formation and the timely implementation of reforms.
Can Gulf Green Finance Survive an Oil Price Shock?
The Iran conflict has arrived at the worst possible moment for Gulf sustainable finance, a sector already navigating fiscal strain, a global ESG backlash, and the unresolved tension between hydrocarbon revenue and transition capital.
