Analysis
View AllCan 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.
Iran War Hits Business Conditions in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
March readings of the purchasing managers’ index showed a substantial deterioration in business conditions in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf.
When War and Peace Are Just Means, the End Signifies Nothing
For the Gulf Arab countries, the future is more important than the present, but it is unclear if Iran, the United States, and Israel have the same vision.
8 min read
Apr 10, 2026
Tehran Signals a Coordinated Strategy Ahead of Islamabad Talks
The April 8 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.
Mar 31, 2026
Iran: From Defense to Offense
The March 31 edition of the Iran Media Review analyzes Iranian reports that Iran is about to enter an “offensive phase” as well as warnings against a U.S. ground invasion.
Mar 27, 2026
Iran to Gulf States: Keep Your Distance – or Risk Being Drawn In
The March 27 edition of the Iran Media Review highlights Iranian officials’ threats to Gulf states not to get more involved in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
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
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.
Iran War Hits Business Conditions in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
March readings of the purchasing managers’ index showed a substantial deterioration in business conditions in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf.
When War and Peace Are Just Means, the End Signifies Nothing
For the Gulf Arab countries, the future is more important than the present, but it is unclear if Iran, the United States, and Israel have the same vision.
8 min read
The United States Plus: Gulf States Contemplate Regional Security After Iran War
The imperative for Gulf states to unify their position has grown since the onset of Iranian attacks on their countries. Yet under conditions of uncertainty about the U.S. position and the war's outcome, Gulf states are demonstrating differing regional alignments and preferences for managing the crisis.
Water and Food Security in a Militarized Gulf
The true economic and societal impact of the conflict may not be driven by headline events alone but by the gradual erosion of the systems that underpin daily life.
