Abstract: 2003 was the Gulf Research Center first year of official operations and by far its most productive. The Center expanded it’s operations significantly, increasing the number of staff to reach 64, and substantially increasing its international network of external researchers.

In the past 12 months GRC has completed 9 and initiated a further 11 Research Programs. We will be continuing this strong growth and expansion of operations over 2004 with a large number of projects coming to fruition over the coming year.

In addition to our research activities, the Center has held a number of high profile events including two IISS–GRC joint workshops and lectures by internationally recognized Middle East experts.

GulfintheMedia.com, GRC’s online consolidated news site began operating in the third quarter of 2003 offering subscribers the opportunity to access all major press coverage of the Gulf in a single, bi-lingual website maintained by our in-house team of editors. A newly-formed marketing department is planning a public launch of GulfintheMedia.com in January 2004.

The coming year is set to be an exciting one for GRC with the center planning 3 major conferences in the first 5 months of the year. As the center grows stronger, we are getting closer to achieving our goal of becoming the regions premier research center.

Only through the hard work and dedication of GRC staff internally and our wider global network of contributors and partners externally, can the Venter grow to its full potential.