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 20, 2016

Saab Quoted by Al Jazeera on President Obama’s Visit to Saudi Arabia

By Bilal Y. Saab

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 20, 2016

Saab Joins Al Jazeera English to Discuss President Obama’s Visit to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council

By Bilal Y. Saab

Saudi Arabia United States and Canada

In the News

Apr 20, 2016

Saab in Defense One: Obama’s Last Chance To Change the Saudi Arabia Playbook

By Bilal Y. Saab

Read the full article here.

Middle East Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2016

US Disengagement from Middle East ‘Raises a Question About American Values’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

On the eve of the US-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh on April 21, Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President of the Emirates Policy Center in Abu Dhabi, discusses key challenges in the United States’ relationship with its Arab Gulf partners, the cost of US disengagement, and the Iranian threat. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi shared her views in an […]

International Organizations Iran

MENASource

Apr 19, 2016

The Missing Multilateralism: Building Institutional Relations between the US and the GCC

By Jessica Ashooh

Ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to the GCC Summit in Riyadh, the focus from the White House is all on the immediate. In what is likely the last trip to the Gulf of the Obama presidency, issues like the war against the Islamic State (ISIS) and Iranian regional activities dominate. The agenda for the […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Apr 19, 2016

Three Questions That Could Make or Break Yemen’s Peace Talks

By Daniel DePetris

The beginning of a UN-mediated ceasefire in Yemen on April 10 comes at a critical time for Yemeni, Gulf Arab, and UN diplomats. For the first time since December 2015, the warring parties are preparing for the resumption of comprehensive, face-to-face peace talks. As it stands, the talks have already been delayed due to ongoing […]

Saudi Arabia Yemen

In the News

Apr 19, 2016

Manning Quoted by Marketplace on President Obama’s Upcoming Visit to Saudi Arabia

By Robert A. Manning

Read the full article here.

Energy & Environment Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 19, 2016

Vakhshouri Quoted By Washington Post on Oil Prices in Response to Doha Meetings

By Sara Vakhshouri

Read the full article here.

The Gulf

In the News

Apr 19, 2016

Manning Quoted by Anadolu Agency on Saudi Strategy for Meetings with Obama

By Robert A. Manning

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 19, 2016

Vakhshouri Quoted by Platts on How Low Global Oil Prices are Affecting Iran’s Economy

By Sara Vakhshouri

Read the full article here.

Iran Saudi Arabia

Experts