From June 13 to 18 2025, the N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, sponsored a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates and spoke with senior Israeli officials to stress that greater regional integration remains the best path out of the current turmoil and towards a more stable and prosperous Middle East.
Bipartisan Momentum for the Abraham Accords, Amid Instability
The congressional delegation included Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), and Representative Don Bacon (R-NE). It was led by Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL), co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus and a longtime advocate for regional cooperation in the Middle East. Their visit underscored growing bipartisan interest in unlocking the long-term strategic potential of the Abraham Accords and regional integration. Held at a moment of regional crisis and intensifying threats, the CODEL served as a timely vehicle to assess the current landscape and chart a path forward.
The group met with heads of state, foreign ministers, senior business executives, and policy experts to explore how to safeguard and expand regional cooperation under the shadow of conflict. Discussions emphasized opportunities for closer strategic coordination on emerging technologies, energy cooperation, and trade connectivity, including the potential of initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Delegation members also focused on using legislative tools and diplomatic engagement to reinforce the normalization process and support shared US-regional security objectives.
The N7 Initiative continues to work closely with US and regional stakeholders to build on the momentum of this CODEL and support future efforts to translate shared aspirations into durable progress.
Analysis from our team
Atlantic Council President and CEO Fred Kempe: Inflection Point: Israel’s Iran strike provides a historic chance for Middle East realignment
N7 Research Institute Director Allison Minor: Dispatch from the Gulf: Finding middle ground amid Israel-Iran war
Media Mentions
FIRST IN INSIDE CONGRESS: NEW CODEL — A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is scheduled to leave for the first-ever privately sponsored congressional trip focused on the Abraham Accords today, Nicholas Wu writes in. Reps. Brad Schneider, Jimmy Panetta, Zach Nunn and Don Bacon are traveling to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel for a trip hosted by the Atlantic Council’s N7 Initiative. They’ll head into a volatile political environment after Israel launched a strike against Iran last night, though we’re told the trip is still on.
“The trip, sponsored by the Atlantic Council’s N7 Initiative and the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, took Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain immediately following Israel’s initial attacks on Iran. A stop in Israel was initially planned, but ultimately became infeasible due to the evolving war between Israel and Iran.”
Rep. Schneider traveling to Middle East despite Israel’s attack on Iran
Following Iran strikes, lawmakers head to Saudi Arabia for Abraham Accords delegation
US Rep. Brad Schneider says congressional trip to Middle East in flux after Israel attack on Iran
A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) is in the Middle East this week for an Abraham Accords-focused trip that is slated to include stops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
Separately, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers is in the region this week for a multi-country CODEL sponsored by the Atlantic Council. The trip includes Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.). It’s unclear whether the group can actually make it to Israel later in the week as scheduled, given the security situation.
Atlantic Council President and CEO Fred Kempe discusses N7 Initiative CODEL
In Attacking Iran, Israel Further Alienates Would-Be Arab Allies
Exclusive / US Rep. Brad Schneider: Gulf welcomes weak Iran
A delegation of US Congressmen consisting of Democrat representatives Brad Schneider and Jimmy Panetta and Republican Congressmen Don Bacon and Zach Nunn, is visiting the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The visit is sponsored by the N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Talpins Foundation and the Atlantic Council.
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