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

Feb 1, 2016

Tanchum Quoted by Interfax on Rasgas-Petronet LNG Supply Contract Renegotiation

By Micha'el Tanchum

Read the full article here.

The Gulf

MENASource

Feb 1, 2016

Can Tourism Save Oman from Cheap Oil?

By Giorgio Cafiero

Of all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, non-OPEC Oman is most vulnerable to low oil prices. In the 1990s, the sultanate discovered that its oil reserves were substantially smaller than previously thought and Oman’s sovereign wealth fund is a fraction of the size of other GCC nations.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 28, 2016

Seznec Quoted by NYSE Post on Saudi Arabia’s Economic Diversification

By Jean Francois Seznec

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jan 28, 2016

Yemen’s Image Problem and the Ongoing Conflict

By Jillian Schwedler

Less than a year after Saudi Arabia launched its war to restore former Yemeni President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi to power, it has retaken enough control of Aden for Prime Minister Khalid Bahah and his cabinet to return after months in exile. Bahah and other cabinet members posted selfies on social media to prove their presence […]

Saudi Arabia Yemen

In the News

Jan 27, 2016

Seznec Joins The Takeaway to Discuss the Potential Privatization of Saudi Aramco

By Jean-François Seznec

Listen to the full story here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 25, 2016

McFate in Aeon: What Does the Return of Mercenary Armies Mean for the World?

By Sean McFate

Read the full article here.

Defense Industry Security & Defense

In the News

Jan 23, 2016

Khoury Joins Voice Of America to Discuss Saudi-Iran Relations

By Nabeel Khoury

Watch the full interview here.

Iran Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jan 22, 2016

Aramco’s IPO a Test of Saudi Transparency

By Haytham Tabesh

When Saudi Arabia decided to launch its economic reform plan, no one thought the Arab American Oil Company (Aramco) would be on the list of government-controlled companies slated for privatization. Surprisingly, Deputy Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman told The Economist the kingdom was considering floating shares and that he was enthusiastic about it.

Saudi Arabia

EconoGraphics

Jan 21, 2016

Feeling the Oil Crunch

By Global Business and Economics

Oil prices have fallen to their lowest since 2003, sitting under $30 a barrel in recent days. Declining expectations of global growth plus the addition of post-sanction Iranian supply don’t spell a substantial price recovery in the immediate future. Under this new market realities, oil-exporting countries come in different form to weather the storm.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

MENASource

Jan 21, 2016

How Might the FED’s Policy Affect the Middle East?

By M. Hande Akmehmet

The US Federal Reserve (FED) announced its most anticipated policy change in December 2015: the long-awaited modest increase in short-term interest rates, which formally marked the beginning of a “Strong Dollar” period in the global economy. Coupled with the upcoming rate hikes in 2016, this policy will not only impact the US economy, but will […]

Economy & Business International Organizations

Experts