Saudi Arabia

While Saudi Arabia attempts to transform its economy and society and diversify away from dependence on oil, it has also embroiled itself in the conflict in Yemen, blockaded its neighbor Qatar, and led a crack down on dissenters such as murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The conservative Kingdom has also been confronted by an increasingly hostile Iran that threatens to pull the entire region into conflict. The challenges and opportunities mean that the US Saudi relationship remains strategically vital for US interests and for the stability of the region.

Content

In the News

Nov 4, 2019

Handler in Nextgov: The zero-day war? How cyber is reshaping the future of the most combustible conflicts

By Atlantic Council

Israeli-Saudi security cooperation quietly incubated over mutual intolerance toward an expansionist Iran is blossoming into a gradually open relationship, with cyber at its heart. Bonds such as these, forged behind closed doors, provide options for de-escalatory approaches to regional conflict.

Cybersecurity Israel

In the News

Nov 4, 2019

Katz quoted in TRT World on the potential sale of Russian S-400s to Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

Missile Defense Russia

Conflict, Risk, and Tech

Oct 28, 2019

The zero-day war? How cyber is reshaping the future of the most combustible conflicts

By Simon Handler

Conventional wisdom would suggest that scaled-up capabilities, growing competition, and the proliferation of malware across cyberspace presents a legitimate risk of escalation in state conflict, transcending the cyber domain toward the kinetic. However, recent history has shown that states have more often availed themselves of their offensive cyber arsenals to achieve surprisingly de-escalatory effects.

Cybersecurity Iran

IranSource

Oct 21, 2019

Kashmir is driving Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Tehran and Riyadh

By Fatemeh Aman

From Imran Khan’s perspective, the issue of Kashmir has not attracted enough international attention. Mediating de-escalation in the Persian Gulf could strengthen his ability to bring more attention to that crisis too.

India Iran

In the News

Oct 3, 2019

Khoury quoted in Al Jazeera on the Houthis’ capture of three Saudi brigades

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Non-Traditional Threats

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2019

Trump defends his foreign policy to the world at UNGA

By David A. Wemer

Trump justified his vision for the United States' role in the world to the UNGA crowd. Here what Atlantic Council experts think it means.

China Iran

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2019

Rouhani’s plan a reason to be hopeful?

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Rouhani's proposal for peace will be rejected as outlandish, but it is a sign that Tehran may recognize that its attack on Abqaiq was an overstep.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Sep 22, 2019

Fontenrose joins Fox News to discuss US- Iran tensions following the Aramco attack

By Atlantic Council

Iran Saudi Arabia

Inflection Points

Sep 21, 2019

Trump’s Iran test: Nerves and vision

By Frederick Kempe

President Trump’s maximum pressure and Iran’s escalating responses have increased the risks of conflict. They have also brought a new chance of resolution that may become the most significant test yet of President Trump’s ability to transform his disruptive foreign policy into positive outcomes.

Defense Policy Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Sep 20, 2019

Sultoon quoted in Reuters on Iran’s central bank sanctions

By Atlantic Council

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation