Reconnaissance Research

What Reconnaissance Research does

Reconnaissance Research is an independent, non-governmental think tank founded in Kuwait City in April 2019 by Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Anjeri, operating with a team of 1-10 staff from a headquarters on Salhiya Street in Alqibla. It is organized around five specialized research units — Political Affairs (Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi), India Studies (Dr. Aftab Kamal Pasha), China Affairs Desk, Iraq Affairs Department (Dr. Abbas Kadhim), and a Governance, Audit, and Monitoring Unit (Naser Salah Boresli) — and is led by a Founder & CEO (Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Anjeri), Deputy CEO (Yousef A.N. Alghusain), and Principal Advisor (Gregory J. Stevens), with an advisory board drawing figures such as Dr. John Duke Anthony and Col. David Des Roches.

Its core offering is policy analysis, geopolitical research, and dialogue facilitation rather than a technology platform; outputs consist of Arabic- and English-language publications, research reports, and in-person plus virtual forums (diwaniyas, conferences, closed seminars) that convene ambassadors, deputy heads of mission, ministers, and subject-matter experts. The underlying 'platform' is essentially the convening network and publication archive, supported by event production capabilities and a bilingual web presence on reconnresearch.com plus Twitter and Instagram.

The business model is hybrid and poorly monetized in disclosed terms: publications and event participation are free, while revenue, where generated, comes from commissioned research and advisory services to governments, diplomatic missions, and institutional clients, plus a small set of joint reports with British consulting firms (Castlereagh Associates, Alaco Limited, Wallbrook Risk Advisory). There are no disclosed funding rounds, no disclosed annual revenue, no parent organization, and no commercial product line; pricing for commissioned work is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is event-driven and relationship-led, with channels limited to direct convening at headquarters, co-branded embassy partnerships, the company website, organic social media, and earned media in outlets such as Al-Anba.

Name

Reconnaissance Research

Legal name

Reconnaissance Research

Website

https://reconnresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Independent Kuwaiti think tank founded in 2019 that produces policy analysis and convenes diplomats and experts across the Gulf, Europe, and Asia through bilingual publications and forums.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Think Tank Services

NAICS

International Affairs (928120)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom) (BPAHALAE)

Keywords

• Policy research services
• Geopolitical analysis
• Strategic dialogue facilitation
• Middle East studies
• Governance research

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuwait

HQ country

Kuwait

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research and Advisory Services: The organization generates revenue through conducting research, publishing reports, and providing analytical services to governments, diplomatic missions, and institutional clients. Their activities include producing specialized reports such as governance analysis and economic assessments for clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Reconnaissance Research is an independent think tank that produces policy research, analytical articles, and reports on Middle East geopolitics, governance, China-Gulf relations, India-West Asia affairs, and Iraq, while hosting in-person and virtual forums, diwaniyas, and closed dialogues bringing together policymakers, diplomats, and subject-matter experts. Its core products are organized research units (Political Affairs, India Studies, Iraq Affairs, China Affairs, Governance/Audit) and the publications, events, and advisory engagements delivered through them for governments, embassies, academics, and the public.

Product overview

Reconnaissance Research is an independent think tank founded in Kuwait in April 2019 that operates as a unified research platform rather than a modular software product. The organization provides research services through specialized units covering Political Affairs, India Studies, Iraq Affairs, China Affairs, and Governance/Monitoring. Its offerings include publications, articles, reports, events/forums, and access to a network of researchers and experts. The platform serves as a bridge between policymakers, researchers, and thought leaders to deliver strategic analysis and actionable insights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Reconnaissance Research Think Tank Platform The independent think tank platform delivering objective policy analysis, research publications, forums, and strategic dialogue on regional affairs for governments, diplomats, academics, and the public.
• Political Affairs Unit A specialized research unit at Reconnaissance Research focusing on Islamic and Jewish political thought, political Islam, and the study of various political systems.
• India Studies Unit A specialized research unit led by Dr. Aftab Kamal Pasha focusing on international relations with emphasis on West Asian affairs and supporting the India-West Asia Dialogue.
• Iraq Affairs Department A specialized research department led by Dr. Abbas Kadhim focusing on Iraq affairs, governance in the Middle East, and political reconstruction.
• China Affairs Desk A specialized research desk focused on analyzing China's global influence, the Belt and Road Initiative, and regional implications for Gulf states.
• Governance, Audit, and Monitoring Unit A specialized unit led by Naser Salah Boresli focused on governance studies, auditing practices, and monitoring affairs, drawing on his experience in monitoring, banking, and investment companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hosted discussions with officials from over 20 countries including Yemen's Foreign Minister, Spanish State Minister, Indian Deputy Foreign Minister, and multiple ambassadors
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Foundation for Mediterranean Strategic Studies (FMES) and IRSEMmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2022French research institutions collaborated with Reconnaissance Research for a closed seminar on Ukraine war implications for Kuwait and the region, featuring French experts and the French Ambassador.
• Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale (IHEDN) / French Ministry of DefensecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2021Reconnaissance Research's founder represented Kuwait at IHEDN's first Middle East Session in Paris, focusing on France's contribution to Middle East security and stability. The conference included participants from Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
• Prospect Foundation TaiwanmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2021Joint closed seminar on strategic changes in the Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Pacific regions. The online conference connected experts from Taiwan with Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian academics.
• National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2021Summer training program collaboration connecting Kuwaiti youth with American counterparts. The partnership facilitates academic exchange and joint research initiatives between the two organizations, with Turner Stevens serving as a non-resident research fellow at Reconnaissance Research through this program.
• Nadège Rolland / National Bureau for Asian Research (NBR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2021Collaboration with prominent French scholar Nadège Rolland, Senior Fellow at NBR, to produce analytical articles on China's global influence. Rolland brings two decades of experience as analyst and advisor to the French Ministry of Defense.
• Castlereagh Associates, Alaco Limited, and Wallbrook Risk AdvisorymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2020British consulting firms collaborated with Reconnaissance Research to produce a joint report on GCC investment climate and corruption issues in Kuwait. The report analyzed the 1MDB scandal and its implications for foreign investment.
• Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2020Joint efforts on analyzing political implications of the coronavirus pandemic in the Middle East. AGSIW contributed expert perspectives on regional political dynamics and economic impacts of COVID-19.
• Atlantic CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on seminars including one on coronavirus impact on Gulf economies and Ukraine war implications. The Atlantic Council's Iraq Initiative is led by Dr. Abbas Kadhim.
• Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Alan Hao Yang serves as Executive Director of TAEF and Non-Resident Fellow on China Affairs at Reconnaissance Research, facilitating Taiwan-Gulf academic exchange.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Atlantic Council: Major US-based international affairs think tank with a Middle East program and Iraq Initiative led by Dr. Abbas Kadhim (also at Reconnaissance Research). Operates at much larger scale but shares the strategic-dialogue convening model.
• Brookings Doha Center: Brookings Institution's Doha-based center producing policy research on Gulf and broader Middle East issues. Targets the same policymaker and diplomatic audience with substantially larger institutional backing.
• Middle East Institute (MEI): Washington DC-based think tank dedicated to Middle East studies, policy analysis, and convening of regional experts. Comparable in producing policy research and hosting diplomats on Gulf and broader regional topics.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): UK-based leading international affairs think tank with substantial Middle East and Gulf programming. Competes for the same diplomatic and policy-research audience, but at significantly greater scale and global recognition.
• Carnegie Middle East Center: Beirut-based Carnegie Endowment program covering Middle East politics, security, and economics. Operates with a permanent research staff and produces high-frequency analysis similar in content type to Reconnaissance Research.

Direct peers

• Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW): Washington DC-based think tank focused on Gulf affairs with similar coverage of Gulf political, economic, and security issues. AGSIW is an existing partner of Reconnaissance Research, indicating closely aligned mandate and audience.
• National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR): US-based non-profit focused on strengthening American understanding of the Arab world. Has a formal partnership with Reconnaissance Research through its summer training program, reflecting directly comparable mission and audience.

Regional players

• Al Jazeera Center for Studies: Qatar-based research arm of Al Jazeera Media Network producing policy analysis on Middle East, Gulf, and international affairs. Comparable in producing Arabic and English policy research for diplomatic and academic audiences.
• King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies: Saudi Arabia-based research center producing high-quality analysis on Gulf geopolitics, regional security, and Islamic studies. A regional peer covering overlapping topics from a different Gulf country base.

Emerging players

• Gulf International Forum: US-based non-profit focused on promoting engagement with the six Gulf Cooperation Council states. Similar in scale and stage to Reconnaissance Research, with overlapping coverage of Gulf political and economic issues.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/reconnresearch
• Instagraminstagram.com/reconnresearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reconnaissance Research