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 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

MENASource

Apr 5, 2016

What the Yemen Cabinet Shakeup Means

By Jillian Schwedler

Yemeni President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi’s seemingly sudden reshuffle in the Yemeni government on Sunday raised a number of questions surrounding his motivation while underlining the difficult road ahead if Yemen’s war is to end in the next few months.

Yemen

In the News

Apr 5, 2016

Mezran Quoted by Voice of America on International Engagement with Libya’s Transitional Government

By Karim Mezran

Read the full article here.

Libya
The Gulf

In the News

Apr 4, 2016

Atlantic Council Report on Low Oil Prices and Saudi Arabia Authored by Seznec Featured by The Fuse

By Jean Francois Seznec

Read the full article here.

Energy & Environment
Iran

Experts