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

Apr 26, 2016

LeBaron Quoted by Bloomberg on US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump’s Foreign Policy Strategy

By Richard LeBaron

Read the full article here.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 25, 2016

Seznec Quoted by Foreign Policy on Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Diversify Its Economy

By Jean-Francois Seznec

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Apr 22, 2016

US-GCC Ties Need to Expand Beyond Oil

By Jean-François Seznec

As the perceived notion of oil-for-security diminishes with the United States’ declining demand for oil from the Middle East, the Gulf Cooperation Council states must develop their militaries, fight threatening ideologies, and decrease their economies’ dependence on oil without waiting for the United States to lead the way. However, even as the United States and […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 22, 2016

Slavin Joins Voice of America to Discuss President Obama’s Visit to Saudi Arabia

By Barbara Slavin

Listen to the full story here.

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Apr 21, 2016

From Reassurance to Shared Interests: Bridging the Gulf at the Riyadh Summit

By Muath Al Wari and Elisa Catalano Ewers

President Barack Obama’s meeting with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia this week is a previously scheduled follow-up to last year’s Camp David meeting, which notably secured the Gulf states’ passive endorsement of the Iran nuclear deal. There is no comparable deliverable expected this week, and the case for low […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Apr 21, 2016

Keeping the Possibility of Peace in Yemen Alive

By Jillian Schwedler

The talks at the GCC summit this week provide an opportunity for President Barack Obama to address the war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The delegation representing the Houthis and ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh’s General People’s Congress (GPC) delegations finally turned up today for peace talks in Kuwait, but the prospects for ending the […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 21, 2016

Pavel Quoted by The National on President Obama’s Gulf Cooperation Council Summit

By Barry Pavel

Read the full article here.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2016

Countering Iran’s malign influence in the Gulf

By Matthew Kroenig

At the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh on April 21, US President Barack Obama will be looking to provide reassurances that the United States remains committed to the security of the region, even as his administration upholds the Iran nuclear agreement, which many of the United States’ Gulf partners see as undermining their interests […]

International Organizations Iran

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2016

Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot?

By Mat Burrows

The hallowed US-Gulf bargain of “oil for security” is past its sell-by date; the future of the US-Gulf relationship is up for grabs. It has always been a fraught relationship.  Right from the outset, the United States never kept its promise to consult with the Saudis before recognizing Israel. Since 9/11, the relationship has grown […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 20, 2016

Slavin in Voice of America: Mideast Peace Takes a Back Seat in Race to White House

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Experts