GCC and US Think Tanks Deepen Strategic Dialogue

The Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) organised the meetings in cooperation with the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC), in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The dialogue was sponsored by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Washington DC and brought together senior representatives and experts from leading Gulf and US think tanks.

The opening session featured GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, Derasat CEO Abdulla Mohamed Alahmed, and Ilan Berman, AFPC Executive Vice President.

Discussions reflected the changing strategic environment in the Gulf, with participants examining how GCC states and the US can strengthen cooperation in the years ahead.

The first session focused on security cooperation following recent regional developments. Participants discussed deterrence and defence capabilities, crisis management, de-escalation and closer coordination among GCC states, while also examining how growing Gulf capabilities and wider international partnerships could shape future security cooperation.

Energy resilience formed the focus of the second session. Participants explored ways to protect critical infrastructure and secure energy supplies, including alternative transport and export routes, strategic reserves and maritime corridors.

The discussions also examined how artificial intelligence, digital twinning and smart energy systems could improve risk management and strengthen the energy sector's ability to respond to disruptions.

The Washington meetings mark the second stage of an initiative launched in June 2026. Bahrain is scheduled to host the third and expanded stage in November, bringing together officials, experts and think tank representatives from GCC countries and the United States.

The initiative is part of Derasat's wider efforts to expand cooperation between Gulf and US think tanks and create platforms for dialogue, research and the exchange of expertise on strategic issues of mutual interest.