Featured commentary & analysis


Counterterrorism Study Group

The Counterterrorism Study Group is a forum for former counterterrorism officials to review the latest threats, to understand emerging trends and future predictions, and to explore creative new proposals for improving the effectiveness of current policies and operations.


Podcast series

Listen to the latest episode of the China-MENA podcast, featuring conversations with academics, government leaders, and the policy community on China’s role in the Middle East.


Gulf Security Task Force

The Gulf Security Task Force is revisiting the question of how to best protect US interests in this sensitive, always relevant region. Our goal is to provide US decision-makers with an updated, fact-based strategy for protecting US interests in the air and maritime domain from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, and ensuring Gulf partners’ ability to assume this responsibility, with the assistance and leadership of the United States.

Content

Dispatches

Mar 3, 2026

How the US and its allies can prevent an energy supply crisis in the Strait of Hormuz

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

As Iran threatens to stop oil and gas shipping through the critical waterway, coordination on what to do with strategic reserves is more important than ever.

Conflict Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Mar 2, 2026

Ukraine’s experience is indispensable in the fight against Iranian drones

By Peter Dickinson

Britain has announced plans to deploy Ukrainian drone warfare specialists to the Middle East as part of international efforts to counter the growing threat posed by swarms of Iranian drones, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Dispatches

Mar 2, 2026

The Gulf that emerges from the Iran war will be very different

By Allison Minor

Iran’s decision to target the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and other countries in the Gulf will have far-reaching consequences.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Mar 1, 2026

Experts react: How the US war with Iran is playing out around the Middle East

By Atlantic Council experts

What happens in Iran doesn’t stay in Iran. The consequences of the US-Israeli military campaign launched on Saturday will radiate across the region and the world.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Mar 1, 2026

The risk of unknown unknowns for global markets amid war in Iran

By Khalid Azim

Market reaction will likely begin with Asia’s opening sessions on Monday morning. One early indicator will be the behavior of the US dollar.

Energy Markets & Governance Iran

Dispatches

Mar 1, 2026

Don’t worry about the Iran conflict’s impact on oil prices—yet

By Landon Derentz

Markets can tolerate a spike. What they cannot tolerate is prolonged uncertainty over trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Conflict Energy & Environment

In-Depth Research & Reports

Feb 26, 2026

The state of great power competition in the Gulf

By Jonathan Fulton

This issue brief examines Gulf states' strategic positioning amid shifting global power dynamics, the opportunities and challenges of great power competition, and regional efforts toward de-escalation and development.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

MENASource

Feb 25, 2026

To harness Saudi Arabia’s demographic dividend, Riyadh must invest in human capital

By Khalid Azim

The success of Saudi Arabia’s economic development will be determined not be the volume of capital it mobilizes, but how effectively that capital is translated into human capability.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

In the News

Feb 5, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Yemen Is Not a Gulf Rivalry—It Is a Test of Whether Extremism Can Be Contained

By Atlantic Council

Extremism Middle East

Dispatches

Feb 3, 2026

Seven things to know about the potential for resumed Iran nuclear negotiations

By Nate Swanson

The tentatively planned resumption of US-Iran nuclear talks this week does not mean US military action is off the table.

Conflict Defense Policy

Experts