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

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

MENASource

Apr 18, 2016

Institutionalizing Ties and Rebuilding Relations

By Kristian Coates Ulrichsen

As President Barack Obama heads to the region one last time, US-Gulf relations are at their lowest point in the past three decades. Relations have come under significant strain since 2011, driven by a general dissatisfaction among ruling elites in the Gulf with the administration’s approach to regional affairs. A variety of factors have contributed […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2016

Road to Riyadh: Bridging the Gulf

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States must not be neutral in its relationships with its Gulf partners and Iran, says Atlantic Council’s Barry Pavel As US President Barack Obama prepares to attend a summit with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in Riyadh on April 21, the Atlantic Council’s Barry Pavel has some words of advice: The United States must […]

Iran Saudi Arabia

Regional Security Initiative

Apr 18, 2016

After hub-and-spoke: US hegemony in a new Gulf security order

By Bilal Y. Saab

The era of Pax Americana in the Gulf, and perhaps in the broader Middle East, is changing. Regional transformation and chaos resulting from the Arab uprisings, the rise of ISIS and its global terrorist reach, shifting US priorities around the world, and the rise of other outside powers in the Gulf have contributed to an […]

Middle East Security & Defense

In the News

Apr 16, 2016

Slavin Quoted by the Washington Examiner on Saudi Arabia’s Decision to Keep Pumping Oil at a Maximum Level

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran Saudi Arabia

Experts