Gulf States

Experts

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Research Fellow
Samuel Ben-Ur
Research Analyst
Bradley Bowman
CMPP Senior Director
Ryan Brobst
CMPP Deputy Director
Natalie Ecanow
Senior Research Analyst
Edmund Fitton-Brown
Senior Fellow
Daniel Glaser
CEFP Senior Advisor
Bernard Haykel
Senior Fellow
Cameron McMillan
CMPP Senior Research Analyst
Ahmad Sharawi
Senior Research Analyst
Daniel Swift
CEFP Senior Research Analyst
About

FDD analyzes the strategic dynamics of the Arabian Peninsula, examining how Gulf states navigate relationships with the United States, Iran, and China, while assessing implications for regional security, counterterrorism, and American interests in the broader Middle East.

Featured
August 11, 2026 | Sinan Ciddi,  Ahmad Sharawi

The Mecca Defense Pact Looks Toothless. That Doesn’t Mean It’s Harmless.

The emerging Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan alliance threatens to trigger regional realignment.

The Dispatch
FDD Analysis
August 18, 2026 | Seth J. Frantzman

Countries condemn Iranian attack on Kurdistan Region prime minister’s office

FDD's Long War Journal
August 17, 2026 | Reuel Marc Gerecht

Will the Gulfies dump Trump?

A power vacuum threatens the Middle East

UnHerd
August 17, 2026 | Jonathan Schanzer

The Saudi Choice That Will Reshape the Middle East

Two possible paths, one pro-American, one not. Where will the Kingdom go?

Commentary
August 14, 2026 | Bridget Toomey

Iraq Struggles To Find Oil Export Options, but the UAE May Be Able To Help

Policy Brief
August 13, 2026 | Toby Dershowitz

Al Jazeera Cuts Its Gaza Staff. Does Its Timing Tell a Story?

Real Clear World
View All Analysis

Experts

Hussain Abdul-Hussain
Research Fellow
Samuel Ben-Ur
Research Analyst
Bradley Bowman
CMPP Senior Director
Ryan Brobst
CMPP Deputy Director
Natalie Ecanow
Senior Research Analyst
Edmund Fitton-Brown
Senior Fellow
Daniel Glaser
CEFP Senior Advisor
Bernard Haykel
Senior Fellow
Cameron McMillan
CMPP Senior Research Analyst
Ahmad Sharawi
Senior Research Analyst
Daniel Swift
CEFP Senior Research Analyst
In The News
Oman ‘Should Have Been In Line Of Fire’ Long Ago For Harbouring Houthis And IRGC
August 17, 2026 | Jonathan Schanzer
Times Radio
Bab el-Mandeb Strait faces growing threat as Houthi attacks raise fears of a second Hormuz
August 16, 2026 | Richard Goldberg
Fox News
The emerging Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan alliance, the GSI, and America's Mediterranean story
August 15, 2026 | Jonathan Schanzer
The Greek Current
Iran blockades, Houthi attacks, and the Turkey-Saudi defense pact
August 13, 2026 | Eyal Hulata
TV7 Israel News
The U.S.-Iran conflict, Gaza plan, and Saudi Arabia
August 13, 2026 | Jacob Nagel
Radio Galey Israel {Hebrew}
View All News

Events

EVENT: The Arab Case for Israel: History, Mythology, and Pathways to Peace

June 11, 2026 | 8:00
View More Events

Projects

Center on Military and Political Power
FDD’s Long War Journal