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.

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MENASource

Jan 8, 2016

The Impact of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Policy

By Haytham Tabesh

The ongoing price war continues between crude oil producers, as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) maintains its Saudi Arabia-led policies to maintain high oil output, contributing to a glut that has brought prices to record lows.

Energy & Environment Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 8, 2016

Slavin on North Korea’s Bomb Test and Iran-Saudi Arabia Tensions

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News on North Korea’s bomb test and increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran:

Iran Korea

In the News

Jan 7, 2016

Saab on Syria Peace Process amid Iran-Saudi Arabia Tensions

By Bilal Y. Saab

Aljazeera America quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on how tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are complicating the Syria peace process:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 6, 2016

Bryza on Growing Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran

By Matthew Bryza

Vestnik Kavkaza quotes Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Matthew Bryza on the growing tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 6, 2016

Alami on Iraq’s Relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran

By Mona Alami

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Mona Alami on how Iraq is dealing with the diplomatic fallout between Saudi Arabia and Iran:

Iran Iraq

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

Experts