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

Inflection Points

Dec 19, 2025

Dispatch from Riyadh: Why Syria is central to the Middle East’s future

By Frederick Kempe

One year after Bashar al-Assad's fall, a visit to Saudi Arabia reveals the opportunities emerging to ensure that Syria doesn’t again fall prey to Iranian adventurism and regional chaos.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 17, 2025

The Gulf should not underestimate authentic intelligence

By Khalid Azim

Missing from the regional employment narrative is appreciation for a more enduring form of “AI”: authentic intelligence, or human capital.

Economy & Business
Fiscal and Structural Reform

MENASource

Dec 9, 2025

Is India losing clout in the Gulf?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Until recently, Indian officials were careful not to pressure their Gulf partners on policies that ran counter to Delhi’s interests.

India
Middle East

MENASource

Nov 20, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s next horizon: Building human capital beyond Vision 2030

By Khalid Azim

Riyadh still needs to take fully support small and medium-sized enterprises—the true engines of job creation.

Economy & Business
Middle East

Inflection Points

Nov 20, 2025

Trump and MBS have big ambitions for the Middle East. Bold action must follow.

By Frederick Kempe

Beneath all the deals and agreements that will be announced this week, US and Saudi officials are quietly conjuring plans that could be transformative.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Nov 19, 2025

Digging into the details of the US-Saudi deals

By Atlantic Council

Our experts dive into the US-Saudi announcements that followed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit on Tuesday.

Artificial Intelligence
Defense Industry

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2025

How Trump can leverage the Saudi crown prince’s visit to help secure Gaza’s future

By Melanie Robbins 

Trump should work with Saudi Arabia and the UAE on a Gaza stabilization fund and a more cohesive plan for implementation.

Israel
Middle East

MENASource

Nov 18, 2025

The MBS visit to the White House could revive IMEC

By Afaq Hussain

After October 7, the corridor that once symbolized economic integration in the Middle East became a victim of regional instability.

India
Middle East

MENASource

Nov 18, 2025

The Trump-MBS meeting should center on Iran nuclear strategy

By Danny Citrinowicz  

The Saudi crown prince has significant incentive to raise the need to renew Iran nuclear negotiations in his meeting with the US president.

Iran
Middle East

MENASource

Nov 18, 2025

The Trump-MBS meeting comes at a pivotal moment for Vision 2030

By Frank Talbot

Saudi Arabia is looking to attract more international investors, keep supply chains running, and maintain a consistent stream of visitors.

Economy & Business
Middle East

Experts