The American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC), in partnership with the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), convened the second round of the GCC-U.S. Think Tanks Strategic Dialogue in Washington, DC on September 18, 2026. Organized in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and sponsored by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Washington, the dialogue brought together senior officials and experts from leading American and Gulf think tanks to address shared strategic challenges and opportunities for cooperation.
The opening session featured remarks by H.E. Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, GCC Secretary General; H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashed Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States; Abdulla Mohamed Alahmed, CEO of Derasat; and Ilan Berman, AFPC Senior Vice President.
The discussions focused on strengthening GCC-U.S. security cooperation, safeguarding critical infrastructure and energy supplies, and expanding economic and technological partnerships.
Participants examined evolving regional security dynamics, including deterrence, defense coordination, crisis management, and the future of the GCC-U.S. security partnership. Discussions also addressed energy resilience, maritime security, alternative supply routes, and the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in protecting critical infrastructure.
A session sponsored by the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy of the United Arab Emirates explored opportunities for deeper economic integration, investment, technology cooperation, and economic diversification between the GCC and the United States.
The dialogue concluded with discussions aimed at translating these exchanges into actionable policy recommendations and establishing mechanisms for sustained cooperation, including joint research, specialized working groups, and regular consultations.
The Washington gathering marked the second phase of an initiative launched in June 2026. A third, expanded round is scheduled to take place in Bahrain in November, bringing together additional policymakers, experts, and think tank representatives from across the GCC and the United States.
Through this ongoing partnership, AFPC and Derasat seek to strengthen institutional ties, facilitate meaningful policy exchanges, and advance practical cooperation on issues central to the future of GCC-U.S. relations.
