From August 17- 22, 2025, the N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, led a bicameral and bipartisan congressional staff delegation to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel to advance Middle East regional stability and integration. The trip served as a capstone for the N7 Initiative Congressional Staff Fellowship, which brought together 17 senior congressional staff members for exclusive and off-the-record roundtables with top experts and officials working to advance the Abraham Accords and other regional integration efforts.
The delegation engaged with senior government officials, policymakers, and regional experts to underscore the enduring importance of the Abraham Accords and the need to build on initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). Discussions highlighted opportunities to reinforce regional security, strengthen economic connectivity, and expand cooperation.
Delegates also emphasized the importance of seizing current opportunities for peace between Israel and its closest neighbors, including Syria and Lebanon, while Iran and its proxies remain on the defensive. Building on the recent peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, participants encouraged consideration of expanding the Abraham Accords to include Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian states. They also identified new opportunities for connectivity through partnerships between Israeli start-ups and Gulf counterparts.
In Israel, the delegation experienced the human aspect of the Gaza war with a guided tour of the Gaza Envelope and meetings with hostage families on the anniversary of their family members’ cruel demise. The firsthand accounts from survivors and families affected by the October 7 attacks underscored the war’s deep impact on Israeli society.