Expert Communities

We are dedicated to supporting and connecting international relations experts.

A core value of ours is to champion foreign affairs experts, many of whom have devoted their lives to remaining at the forefront of their respective fields. We advocate for their fair compensation and recognition, ensuring they are valued for their significant contributions and involvement in crucial governmental consultations. 

Our efforts are both tangible and dynamic. For example, we manage a listserv with over 1,500 experts on the Gulf, Iraq, and Iran, and our founder hosts several country-based chat groups for knowledge sharing and discussion. Additionally, our Blueprint project will showcase the community’s collective expertise. Through these initiatives, we enhance the visibility, influence, and collective learning of seasoned professionals in international relations.

Gulf/2000

The Gulf/2000 listserv, or G2K, is an exclusive email forum providing members with a curated news feed on the Gulf region and a platform for experts and professionals to exchange views, pose questions, and seek insights. Originally managed by Gary Sick at Columbia University from 1993 to 2024, the listserv is now operated by The Sage Institute for Foreign Affairs and supported by members and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. 

With support from

To join the Gulf/2000 listserv, prospective members should click “Apply for Membership.” You will be asked to provide a brief description of your professional background and reason for your interest in Gulf affairs.

Please note that the listserv is reserved for Gulf region experts and professionals; it is not typically open to students or those without professional connections to the region.

  • Established in 1993, the Gulf/2000 Project was created to support scholars, government officials, business professionals, and journalists focused on the eight states that surround the Gulf, specifically Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It aimed to foster information exchange and ongoing dialogue among experts, regardless of political or ideological views.

    The project was initially funded by the W. Alton Jones Foundation and later supported by the Carnegie Corporation, Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and the Middle East Institute at Columbia University. It was managed by Executive Director Gary Sick, Director for Research and Publications Lawrence Potter, and Assistant Director for Membership Services Gina Cinali from 1993 until August 2024, following which The Sage Institute for Foreign Affairs took over management of the project.

    Over three decades, the Gulf/2000 Project built a global network of specialists and hosted conferences, workshops, and an extensive electronic library. Specifically, it hosted 11 international conferences on various Gulf-related topics, including security, history, and regional developments. Notable events included conferences in Italy, the UAE, Cyprus, Oman, and the United States. Workshops and panels were also held on nuclear policy and Gulf affairs. Gary Sick and Lawrence Potter edited publications from these conferences into several books, and several papers were featured in journals including Middle East Policy.

Future Regional Expert Communities

We have additional communities planned for the future. If you are an expert in a specific region and would like a similar community for your portfolio, please email us to request your region.