Afkār is a publication of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues and developments from the Council's experts and outside contributors. Afkār is published in English and Arabic, and is edited by Omar H. Rahman.
The GCC is expanding solar energy infrastructure at a record pace across landscapes that are more ecologically complex than they appear. The challenge—and opportunity—is to ensure that clean energy development and ecosystem health advance together.
The U.S.–Iran agreement signaled a notable shift in Washington’s approach to Gulf crises, with pragmatic de-escalation taking precedence over escalation amid domestic pressures in the United States.
In a period marked by both regional challenges and broader geopolitical realignments, Gulf Cooperation Council is increasingly focused on repositioning the Gulf within the international order.