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

Jan 6, 2016

Pavel on Iran-Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Tensions

By Barry Pavel

Vice President, Arnold Kanter Chair, and Brent Scowcroft Center Director Barry Pavel joins CCTV America to discuss how tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia will affect regional relations in the near future:

Iran Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Jan 5, 2016

Saudi-Iranian Crisis, China’s Economic Slide Set Stage for Perfect Storm in the Oil Market

By Ariel Cohen

The deepening rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran may have dire consequences for global oil markets because the kingdom’s Eastern Province, where the Shia are in the majority, produces most of its oil. Production would suffer if Iran were to foment unrest among this population. This crisis between the Middle East’s two major oil producers […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jan 5, 2016

Vakhshouri on the Oil Market between Saudi Arabia and Iran

By Sara Vakhshouri

The Fuse quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sara Vakhshouri on how Saudi Arabia and Iran remain dependent on maintaining their oil markets open despite their recent downturn in diplomatic relations:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 5, 2016

LeBaron on US-Saudi Arabia Relations

By Richard LeBaron

The Daily Signal quotes Nonresident Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron on how the US-Saudi relationship may develop as Saudi Arabia continues to distance itself from Iran:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 4, 2016

Slavin: Saudi Plays Dangerous Regional Game with Executions

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on the regional implications of Saudi Arabia’s execution of a prominent Saudi Shi’ite cleric:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 4, 2016

Slavin on the Iran-Saudi Arabia Rift

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins KCRW’s To the Point to discuss the growing rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 4, 2016

Shaffer on the Oil Market and Saudi-Iran Tension

By Brenda Shaffer

Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Brenda Shaffer joins CNBC to discuss growing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the implications for the oil market:

Iran Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Jan 4, 2016

The Saudi/Iran Break: Politics of Fear in the Gulf

By Richard LeBaron

Saudi Arabia’s decision to break diplomatic ties with Iran represents another chapter in the politics of fear that have dominated Saudi military and diplomatic moves since the ascension of King Salman just shy of a year ago. The fear finds its main source in the Saudi conviction that Iran is intent on displacing it as […]

International Organizations Iran

In the News

Dec 18, 2015

Saab: Saudi Arabia’s Plan in Syria

By Bilal Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Foreign Affairs on Saudi Arabia’s plan for Syria and whether it can succeed:

Saudi Arabia Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2015

Saudi Arabia Must Find Cure for ‘Wahhabi Virus,’ Says Iraqi Lawmaker

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Most important factor in the war on ISIS is theological, says Mowaffak al Rubaie, a former National Security Advisor of Iraq Mowaffak al Rubaie is a former National Security Advisor of Iraq who currently serves as a member of parliament in Baghdad. In this interview with the New Atlanticist’s Ashish Kumar Sen, Rubaie discusses the […]

Iran Iraq

Experts