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

In the News

May 11, 2016

BBC Persian Features Atlantic Council Event on Human Rights in Iran and Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

May 10, 2016

Goldwyn Quoted by The Cipher Brief on the US-Saudi Energy Relationship

By David Goldwyn

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

May 9, 2016

Seznec Quoted by Washington Post on Saudi Arabia’s New Oil Minister

By Jean-Francois Seznec

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

May 9, 2016

Saudi Energy Policies Unlikely to Shift Under New Minister

By Sara Vakhshouri

Saudi Arabia’s energy policies are unlikely to change despite the fact that longtime energy minister, Ali al-Naimi, was removed on May 7 and Khalid al-Falih appointed as his successor. There has already been much speculation and concern about the kingdom’s energy policies under King Salman. Questions about the future of Saudi Arabia’s oil policies are […]

Saudi Arabia

In the News

May 8, 2016

Vakhshouri Quoted by Gulf News on Saudi Oil Production

By Sara Vakhshouri

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

May 4, 2016

US Middle East Policy Must Include Allies and Adversaries

By Danielle Leopold

A sustainable US Middle East policy should include closer cooperation with longstanding allies—including the United Kingdom and France—but also a strategic dialogue with adversaries such as Russia and China, according to Bilal Y. Saab, a Senior Fellow for Middle East Security at the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. In light of the […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 3, 2016

Finding a New Approach to Yemen’s Peace Talks

By Nadwa Al-Dawsari

On April 21, a third round of Yemen peace talks started in Kuwait, but with little hope that they will achieve a breakthrough to end the devastating eighteen-month long war in the country. Delegates from President Hadi Abd Rabbo Mansour’s Yemeni government based in exile in Riyadh and the alliance of Houthis and former president […]

Yemen

In the News

Apr 29, 2016

Slavin Joins Voice of America to Host Issues on The News to Discuss the US Presidential Race and Saudi Arabia’s Plan to Diversify Its Economy

By Barbara Slavin

Saudi Arabia United States and Canada

Event Recap

Apr 28, 2016

After Hub-and-Spoke: US Hegemony in a New Gulf Security Order

By Atlantic Council

On Friday, April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. the Atlantic Council hosted a discussion of a new report by Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Bilal Saab, entitled After Hub-and-Spoke: US Hegemony in a New Gulf Security Order, and a debate on US global defense posture in the next decade and how it might affect future […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 27, 2016

Hassan Writes for EastWest.ngo on the Perceptions of Iranians on Saudis on ISIS

By Kawa Hassan

In his latest publication, Task Force member Kawa Hassan, in cooperation with Adnan Tabatabai, delves into the mutual perceptions of Iranians and Saudis on ISIS, and highlights points that could be grounds for possible partnership between arch rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Read the full article here.

Iran Saudi Arabia

Experts