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

MENASource

May 7, 2015

All the King’s Men Will Have a Hard Time Putting Yemen Together Again

By Adam Simpson

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition announced the end of Operation Decisive Storm on April 21 and rebranded the continued military intervention in Yemen “Restoring Hope.” Though the Saudis claimed to have completed their objectives, the ongoing bombing campaign and musings over a ground operation suggest this is patently not the case.

Saudi Arabia Yemen

MENASource

May 6, 2015

Guns, Butter, and the Future of the Gulf States

By Mathew Burrows

Recent news reports of the Saudis burning through their foreign currency reserves at record pace over the past couple months. Combined with the growing conflict in Yemen and an already heavy engagement in Syria begs questions about the future of Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) neighbors.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 5, 2015

A US Defense Treaty with the Gulf States: Why Values Matter

By Richard LeBaron

In an Atlantic Council report and subsequent article in The National Interest, my colleagues Barry Pavel and Bilal Saab at the Brent Scowcroft Center of the Atlantic Council have made a case for a formal alliance with US security partners in the Gulf.

Iran Saudi Arabia

MENASource

May 1, 2015

Yemen: A View from Marib

By Nadwa Al-Dawsari

It has now been more than a year since Ahmed Ashulaif, a distinguished fifty year-old businessman and tribal leader from Marib, put his business on hold. Since then, he has fought to stop the Houthis, a Zaydi-Shia rebel group that took control of Yemen’s capital and ousted its government in September 2014.

Iran Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Apr 21, 2015

The Obama Doctrine and the Middle East: Problems and Prospects

By Nabeel Khoury

President Barack Obama, in his interview with Tom Friedman on April 5, was at his intellectual best. He convincingly explained the framework agreement with Iran while stressing serious strategic disagreement with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamene’i. Tom Friedman, in turn, was at his diplomatic best, trying to nudge the President into crafting an Obama doctrine […]

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Apr 17, 2015

Why Did Abadi Criticize Saudi Arabia?

By Ramzy Mardini

During his first visit to the White House as the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi surprised Washington when he criticized the Saudi Arabian-led air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran Iraq

In the News

Apr 10, 2015

Khoury on Saudi Arabia’s Objectives in Yemen

By Nabeel Khoury

US News and World Report quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Nabeel Khoury on how Saudi Arabia’s rivalry with Iran is playing out in Yemen:

Saudi Arabia Yemen

In the News

Apr 9, 2015

Khoury on the Saudi Intervention in Yemen

By Nabeel Khoury

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Nabeel Khoury joins Sky News to discuss what can be done in regard to the Houthis taking control of the city of Aden in Yemen and Saudi Arabia’s position on the situation:

Saudi Arabia Yemen

MENASource

Apr 8, 2015

Egypt and Yemen 53 Years Later

By Yasmine Farouk

Fifty-three years after Gamal Abdel Nasser’s failed adventure in Yemen, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is rallying under that same banner of pan-Arabism, and Egypt is once again involved in Yemen’s domestic affairs. Unlike under Nasser, however, rather than trying to counter Saudi Arabia’s regional interests, Egypt is jumping on the bandwagon with the kingdom, […]

North Africa Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Apr 8, 2015

US-Iran: Deal or No Deal, This Is Not the Question

By Hanin Ghaddar

The June 30 deadline will make or break the US-Iran nuclear deal. Until then, the preliminary accord, its interpretation, and implementation will be the center of attention for all stakeholders. However, less attention will be given to the developments in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon.

Iran Iraq
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Stefanie Hausheer Ali

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Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

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Simin Kargar

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