The Trump administration has reframed U.S. policy in the Middle East, and this new approach is outlined in the National Security Strategy, write @lizydent.bsky.social and Amb. Dennis Ross. Washington can take the following steps to fully realize its ambitions: 1/2

New from Amb. Dennis Ross and @lizydent.bsky.social: The Trump administration’s new policy approach to the Middle East, outlined in the National Security Strategy, shifts the U.S. focus from military presence, counterterrorism, and security integration to “partnership, friendship, and investment.”

Read James Jeffrey and @lizydent.bsky.social on how the United States can help pave the way for a new order in the Middle East—one “rooted in deeper U.S.-Gulf ties, the collapse of Iran’s regional power, and even closer coordination among friendly militaries.”

President Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on November 18. Amb. Dennis Ross, @lizydent.bsky.social, April Longley Alley, Simon Henderson, Henry Tugendhat, and Noam Raydan discuss each government’s likely agenda for the landmark visit.

“With adversaries degraded, partners empowered, and diplomacy active, Washington can mold the Middle East’s fledgling regional order in ways that would have been unthinkable even a few years ago,” write James Jeffrey and @lizydent.bsky.social.

New from @lizydent.bsky.social and Amb. James Jeffrey in Foreign Affairs: "For the first time in a generation, the United States has an opportunity to build a durable security architecture for one of the world’s most violent regions."

New from @lizydent.bsky.social and Amb. James Jeffrey in Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: "Despite growing frustration, Gulf leaders know that the U.S. remains the only actor with the scale, capability, and long-term commitments to provide security guarantees."

Yesterday, Israel launched airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. Robert Satloff, @lizydent.bsky.social, Simon Henderson, and David Makovsky offer expert takes on the most urgent policy and security implications for Gaza diplomacy, Gulf relations, and more.

New from @lizydent.bsky.social: "The growing defense ties between the UAE and Israel carry significant regional—and possibly global—implications, with the potential to alter the Middle East security landscape."

New from @lizydent.bsky.social: President Trump’s high-profile May 2025 visit to the Gulf focused on securing trillions of dollars in economic deals, but carrying these projects to completion while ensuring U.S. interests will require close, sustained oversight.

The UAE has made becoming a global leader in AI a key part of its national strategy, and hopes U.S.-UAE cooperation will become the new cornerstone of the partnership. As part of this, the countries signed the U.S.-UAE Artificial Intelligence Acceleration Partnership, says @lizydent.bsky.social.

How can U.S. policymakers navigate the range of options when considering the export of semiconductors to Gulf countries? Read this insightful analysis by @lizydent.bsky.social and @grantrumley.bsky.social.

"President Trump's visit to Qatar has continued the business theme of his Gulf trip," said Institute expert Simon Henderson. Watch as he details the president's stop in Doha.

Today, President Trump arrived on the final stop on his Gulf tour, the UAE. This marks the first time that a U.S. president has visited the country since 2008. Once again, the visit underscored the economic and investment deal focus of the trip, says @lizydent.bsky.social youtube.com/shorts/bpezF...

During his trip to the Mideast, President Trump will likely seek deals in areas such as energy, critical minerals, financial services & emerging tech. Last year, @lizydent.bsky.social and @grantrumley.bsky.social examined the future of U.S.-Gulf cooperation on AI & semiconductors.

President Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE this week. @lizydent.bsky.social and Simon Henderson explain that while the president will focus on big investment deals and arms sales during his Gulf tour, he also needs to address urgent security issues.

With global markets in flux and new geopolitical alignments in the Mideast, President Trump’s Gulf trip will be watched for what it may signal in terms of U.S. strategy and engagement, said @lizydent.bsky.social. 📺Watch the full webcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1RT...

President Trump's trip to the Gulf will have an economic focus. He will likely seek deals in areas such as energy, critical minerals, financial services, and emerging technologies like AI, write @lizydent.bsky.social and Simon Henderson.

📺Next week, President Trump will visit the Gulf. He is expected to pursue groundbreaking initiatives in energy, tech, and economic cooperation. Amb. Dennis Ross, @emile-hokayem.bsky.social @joycekaram.bsky.social, and @lizydent.bsky.social discussed the upcoming trip.

"'Business, not policy' appears to be President Trump’s agenda for the first foreign tour of his second term," write @lizydent.bsky.social and Simon Henderson. More on the president's Gulf visit, which is set to begin May 13 in Saudi Arabia.

New from @lizydent.bsky.social and Simon Henderson: Aside from focusing on big investments and arms sales during his Gulf visit, President Trump will need to address a few pressing policy issues during the trip.

President Trump's Gulf Visit: Setting the Stage for Strategic Wins Webcast with Amb. Dennis Ross, @emile-hokayem.bsky.social, and @joycekaram.bsky.social. @lizydent.bsky.social will moderate. 🗓️Thursday, May 8 🕚11:00 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) 📺Watch: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...

The decision to extend the USS Harry S. Truman in the Mideast for another month while also ordering the USS Carl Vinson to head to the region comes amid the administration’s new campaign against the Houthis and public warnings to Iran, writes Institute expert @lizydent.bsky.social.

Like the Biden administration before it, the Trump administration views the Houthi threat as a strategic priority, but there are differences in their approaches to countering the challenge, said @lizydent.bsky.social. Read a summary of her remarks:

UAE's Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed is visiting Washington to meet with senior Trump Administration officials and U.S. business leaders to discuss AI. Check out @lizydent.bsky.social and @grantrumley.bsky.social's report for more on AI in the Gulf.

"Although Riyadh’s audition for the global spotlight began years ago, it has kicked into overdrive this year," writes @lizydent.bsky.social.

"By leveraging its deep relationships and Saudi ambitions, the United States has an opportunity to shape the kingdom’s approach to key issues," writes @lizydent.bsky.social

Today, @lizydent.bsky.social addressed the International Agreements Committee of the United Kingdom House of Lords on the country's possible accession to C-SIPA. Watch the full event:

How can the U.S. remain focused on its security objective in Syria? Former CENTCOM Commander Gen. Votel and @lizydent.bsky.social explain in @warontherocks.bsky.social how America can help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State.

Top Videos of 2024: The (Next) Battle for Northwest Syria: U.S. Policy Implications - Anna Borshchevskaya, Andrew Tabler, @azelin.bsky.social, @lizydent.bsky.social, and Mouaz Moustafa www.youtube.com/live/-gCTj88...

Institute military scholar Michael Eisenstadt is out today with an in-depth study of how Iran might structure its forces after a nuclear breakout and what the United States will need to do in response. Download the full report (no paywall) at www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...

If Iran Gets the Bomb: Weapons, Force Posture, Strategy www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...

Here it is! A Starter Pack for Middle East News A couple things 1) Inclusion in this list should not be taken as an endorsement, this is to crystalize the MENA ecosystem so it can grow 2) Limit's 150, so if I missed you, hit me in the replies & I'll get you in the next one go.bsky.app/2pjNYfP

For my first post on Blue Sky, I am thrilled to share my new report with Grant Rumley on policy considerations for the U.S. to export semiconductors to Gulf countries who have made AI central to their national development strategies: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...