Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf’s largest economies, have forged a deeper alliance in recent years, and have joined forces to pursue increasingly assertive foreign policies. The two countries are the leading members of a coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen and are at the forefront of Arab efforts to counter Iran’s influence in the Middle East. Most recently, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh announced the establishment of a joint cooperation committee to coordinate in the military, political, economic, trade, and cultural fields.

What is driving this closer relationship between the UAE and Saudi Arabia? Will the two countries be able to translate a growing sense of common purpose into a comprehensive plan to tackle regional challenges? A year after President Donald J. Trump’s landmark visit to Saudi Arabia, how has the relationship between the U.S. administration and its principal regional partners evolved, especially regarding Iran and the conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and the Palestinian territories?

AGSIW hosted a roundtable conversation with Mohammed Baharoon, director general of b’huth, the Dubai Public Policy Research Centre.