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MENASource

Jul 21, 2015

ISIS Attempts to Shake the Gulf

By Mona Alami

Another suicide bombing has shaken the Gulf region, as young Saudi Abdallah Fahd Abdallah Rashid blew himself up at a checkpoint in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on July 16. Rashid conducted the bombing just after killing his uncle, a colonel with the Saudi Ministry of Interior.

International Organizations Iran

New Atlanticist

Jul 14, 2015

The Middle East Transformed by Iran Agreement? Take a Deep Breath; Here’s Why Not

By Richard LeBaron

The reactions to the nuclear agreement with Iran announced July 14 were utterly predictable. Those against the agreement yesterday are those against the agreement today. Those for it are still for it. The Obama administration will fight for its approval by Congress and the Netanyahu administration will fight against it. Republican presidential hopefuls are all […]

International Organizations Iran

In the News

Jul 7, 2015

Nordenman: Sweden Struggles to Balance Defense Sales, Rights Concerns

By Magnus Nordenman

Brent Scowcroft Center Deputy Director Magnus Nordenman writes for World Politics Review on the tensions between Sweden’s arms export business and its desire to respect human rights abroad:

Defense Industry Northern Europe

MENASource

Jun 29, 2015

The Saudi-Houthi Stalemate in Yemen

By Nabeel Khoury

Saudi Arabia launched its war on the Houthis in March 2015; the Houthis launched their war on the rest of Yemen in September of 2014. Four months after the former and close to a year after the latter, Yemen stands on a precipice and neither has accomplished their declared goals.

Saudi Arabia Yemen
French Mirage 2000N, Oct. 13, 2013

NATOSource

Jun 26, 2015

France Fills the American Arms Void

By Owen Daniels and Robbie Gramer, Politico Europe

Through a series of recent sales worth billions, most recently a $12 billion deal with Saudi Arabia announced Wednesday, the Rafale has become the backbone of Paris’s realpolitik economic diplomacy

France North Africa

In the News

Jun 26, 2015

Saab on ISIS in Saudi Arabia

By Bilal Saab

Foreign-language Rawaq features Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab’s Foreign Affairs article on ISIS in Saudi Arabia: 

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jun 26, 2015

Yemen’s Geneva Epitaph

By Adam Simpson and Jordan Lesser-Roy

The failure of Yemen’s UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva that began on June 15 is an unfortunate—but expected—result. Given the scope of the looming humanitarian crisis, understanding the recent derailment is critical to preventing Yemen from becoming a disaster that overtakes even the carnage in Syria.

Saudi Arabia Yemen

In the News

Jun 23, 2015

LeBaron on Intricacies of Iranian Negotiations

By Richard LeBaron

The Guardian quotes Nonresident Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron on why Saudi and Israeli fears of Iran are complicating nuclear negotiations:

Iran Israel

MENASource

Jun 19, 2015

Saudis Cannot See the Forest for the Houthis

By Adam Simpson

As Yemeni factions involved in the ongoing conflict entered talks in Geneva on June 15, prospects for a ceasefire look bleak as the Houthis and Saudis—by no means the only participants, but certainly the two most destructive actors—have intensified their attacks.

Saudi Arabia Yemen

MENASource

Jun 17, 2015

Oman’s Diplomatic Bridge in Yemen

By Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner

Last month, US officials traveled to Oman and held “secret” talks with a Houthi delegation. Both sides discussed the implementation of a ceasefire and a political transition in Yemen.

Iran Saudi Arabia

Experts