President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s July Middle East trip highlighted important bilateral relationships and multilateral initiatives at the forefront of U.S. policy toward the region, including regional security cooperation, the fate of nuclear negotiations with Iran, and the United States’ involvement in building peace between Israel and its neighbors. Biden’s tour, his first trip to the Middle East since taking office, served to lay out his administration’s vision for U.S. engagement with the region, which emphasizes regional partnerships through groupings such as the Negev Forum, I2U2, and the Gulf Cooperation Council +3.  

Since its launch in 2016, the UAE Security Forum has played a vital role as a venue where U.S. and regional partners gather to find creative solutions to some of their most pressing common challenges. This year’s forum will assess regional geopolitical trends and advance a common vision for strengthening security cooperation, recognizing the linkages and advantages of integration among countries in the regions of the Gulf, Levant, and Red Sea, and increasing engagement with the United States. To ensure a fruitful exchange of views, AGSIW will bring together academics, policymakers, and practitioners to explore opportunities, identify key risks, and recommend policy solutions for governments and the private sector.