Abstract: The Gulf Research Center recorded rapid progress during 2004, the second year of official operations. In order to cope with the expansion and the number of projects undertaken, the center’s staff strength increased by about 25 percent to 76, apart from substantially increasing its international network of external researchers.

During the last year, GRC completed and initiated a few more of the 52 Research Programs it has set as its target. The center will continue on this path of strong growth and expansion with more projects expected to come to fruition during 2005.

In addition to the research activities, the center conducted a number of high-profile conferences that focused on social, economic, political and security issues of interest and importance to the region, which witnessed the participation of internationally recognized experts and yielded valuable suggestions and recommendations.

In the realm of media, GRC’s online consolidated news website – gulfinthemedia.com – closed in on the standards that the center was aiming for and is now open for subscription. The bilingual portal is one of the best mediums available to access all the major media coverage of the Gulf, both from the region and abroad. A newly-formed department will launch a marketing campaign during 2005.

The coming year is set to be an exciting one for GRC with the center planning several major conferences, lectures, publications and cooperation agreements with reputed and like-minded institutions. As the center begins to tap its potential more aggressively and efficiently, GRC is moving closer to achieving its goal of becoming the region’s premier research center.

Only through the hard work and dedication of the GRC community, both internal and the wider global network of contributors and partners, can the venture realize its optimum potential.