"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Subscribe

By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy

Subscription Settings
Analysis

Narrowing the Gulf: U.S. and GCC Revamp Relations at Camp David Summit

Following several years of strained relations, the U.S.- GCC summit provided the parties with a crucial opportunity to reset their partnership.

Hussein Ibish

1 min read

Executive Summary

When U.S. President Barack Obama announced on April 2 that the international negotiating consortium known as the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany) had concluded a framework with Iran outlining a potential agreement on its nuclear program, to be achieved by June 30, he expressed concern about opposition from traditional U.S. allies. He said he had already spoken with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and intended to invite the heads of state of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to meetings later that spring “to discuss how we can further strengthen our security cooperation while resolving the multiple conflicts that have caused so much hardship and instability throughout the Middle East.” The invitations were subsequently issued for a dinner at the White House on May 13 followed by meetings at Camp David on May 14.

Read full paper

The views represented herein are the author's or speaker's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of AGSI, its staff, or its board of directors.

Hussein Ibish

Senior Resident Scholar, AGSI

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia and the UAE Are Urging Trump to Continue a War They Did Not Want

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi urged President Trump not to attack Iran, but now that the war is into its second month, leaving the current situation in place would be an unthinkable fiasco for them.

Hussein Ibish

8 min read

A black plume of smoke rises from a warehouse at the industrial area of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, March 1. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Caught in the Crosshairs, Gulf Arab Countries Remain Crucial to Peace

Though they were unsuccessful in preventing the current conflict, and, as expected, have been dragged into the U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran, Gulf Arab countries remain crucial to hopes for limiting the war and bringing it to a quick resolution.

Hussein Ibish

13 min read

A building damaged by an Iranian drone attack in Juffair, Manama, Bahrain, March 1. (REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed)

Iran War Provides Decisive Test for Lebanon to Assert Authority Over Hezbollah

After decades of tolerating Hezbollah’s warmaking independence, the current crisis has compelled Lebanese leaders to ban its military activities; this project will do much to determine the reach Iran can maintain in the Arab world.

Hussein Ibish

8 min read

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes that struck a building housing Al-Manar channel studios in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, March 3. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Having Failed to Prevent a U.S. Attack Against Iran, Gulf Arab Countries Must Watch With Alarm

Gulf Arab countries urged the United States not to strike Iran, but now that is happening, they are in danger of being sucked into a conflict they cannot control but that will likely reshape their present and future realities.

Hussein Ibish

9 min read

Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA via REUTERS)
View All

Events

Jun 4, 2026

10:00am - 11:00am

Will a U.S.-Iran Deal Bring a New Order for the Gulf?

On June 4, AGSI will host a discussion on the implications of a potential U.S.-Iranian agreement for Gulf security.

Register
This image provided by U.S. Central Command shows aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) that are operating in support of the war in Iran, on March 3. (U.S. Navy via AP)
This image provided by U.S. Central Command shows aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) that are operating in support of the war in Iran, on March 3. (U.S. Navy via AP)

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.

In this photo released by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, center right, and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, center left, are greeted by Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, right, and Army Chief Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir, left, upon their arrival at Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, April 11. (Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)
In this photo released by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Iranian Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, center right, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, center left, are greeted by Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, right, and Army Chief Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir, left, upon their arrival at Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, April 11. (Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)

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.

The main entrance of Pakistan's foreign ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 9. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
The main entrance of Pakistan's Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 9. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Mar 2, 2026

After the Shock: Implications of the U.S.–Israeli Strikes and Iran’s Leadership Transition

On March 2, AGSI hosted a discussion on the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 1. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA via REUTERS)
Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 1. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA via REUTERS)
View All