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 15, 2016

In Year of Summits, Weighing the Benefits and Challenges of NATO-GCC Cooperation

By Owen Daniels

The passports of high-ranking NATO and GCC officials seem to tell a tale of impending dialogue in the coming days. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s recent flights to Kuwait, the UAE, and Washington, and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Abdul Latif Bin Rashid Al-Zayani’s visit to Brussels presage talk of the GCC working with NATO […]

International Organizations NATO

In the News

Apr 14, 2016

Gold Quoted by al Ahram on the Ceding of Two Egyptian Islands to Saudi Arabia and Saudi-Iran-US Relations

By Zack Gold

Read the full article here.

Iran North Africa

MENASource

Apr 14, 2016

President Obama and GCC Leaders: Let’s Talk about Jobs

By Richard LeBaron

When President Barack Obama meets his Gulf Cooperation counterparts in Riyadh on April 21, he will yet again reassure them about the US commitment to Gulf security and once again they will work through a litany of regional issues, focusing on Syria, Yemen, and Iran.  There is little expectation of startling results, and given the […]

International Organizations North Africa

MENASource

Apr 13, 2016

The United States Has No Gulf Allies

By Bilal Y. Saab

The word “ally” is used far too casually in Washington’s Middle East lexicon. It’s time to break this bad habit, because the truth is that with the exception of Turkey—a NATO member—the United States does not share a single alliance with any Middle Eastern country. As the US-GCC summit in Riyadh approaches, understanding what really constitutes an alliance […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 13, 2016

Shaffer Joins Knowledge@Wharton to Discuss the Russia-Saudi Arabia Oil Production Freeze

By Brenda Shaffer

Russia Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 13, 2016

Hellyer Quoted by Reuters on Relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt

By H. A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

North Africa Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Apr 13, 2016

Working in Tandem on Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

From the beginning of the Syrian crisis Washington and key GCC players have approached the problem with fundamentally differing priorities inspired by one key player: Iran. For Riyadh in particular, the salient feature of Syria’s agony and destruction has been Tehran’s aggressive, aggrandizing reach into the Arab world. For Washington, reaching a nuclear agreement with […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 12, 2016

Slavin in Voice of America: Can Obama Mend US-Saudi Ties?

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Apr 12, 2016

Q&A: The Egypt-Saudi Island Deal

By Margaret Suter

During King Salman’s recent visit to Cairo, Saudi Arabia and Egypt signed several investment agreements and cooperative deals, including a 60 billion Saudi Riyal investment fund. Among the more notable elements of the bilateral agreements are a proposed bridge that would link Saudi Arabia and Egypt through the Red Sea, and Egypt’s decision to cede […]

North Africa Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 6, 2016

Seznec Quoted by Marketplace on the Dairy Industry In Saudi Arabia

By Jean-Francois Seznec

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

Experts