Siyuan Zhao (Author)
College of International Studies, National University of Defense Technology
Rong Wang (Author)
College of International Studies, National University of Defense Technology
Gulf Region, Think Tank Development, Social Transformation, Policy Advice
30-07-2026
The presence and influence of high-level think tanks are widely regarded as an important indicator of a country’s soft power. In recent years, think tanks in the Gulf have assumed an increasingly prominent role in processes of social transformation and policymaking. Given the Gulf’s pivotal position in global energy markets and geopolitics, the development of its think tank sector has had growing implications for domestic transformation, policy formulation, and regional security. Drawing primarily on the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tank Index Report for 2013–2020, and supplemented by information from the official websites of leading think tanks in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other Gulf states, this article systematically examines the core drivers, development pathways, and social impact of think tanks in the region. The findings show that, amid social transformation, Gulf think tanks have become increasingly government-led, internationally connected, and socially influential. This article argues that Beyond policy advice, Gulf think tanks are emerging as important vehicles for public diplomacy and regional governance.
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