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

Dec 16, 2015

Janeka on Saudi Arabia’s Role in a Solution to the Syrian Conflict

By Marri Janeka

Voice of America quotes Middle East Peace and Security Initiative Assistant Director Marri Janeka on Saudia Arabia’s role in negotiating a solution to the conflict in Syria:

Saudi Arabia Syria

In the News

Dec 9, 2015

Tanchum on Undersea Iran-Oman-India Pipeline

By Micha'el Tanchum

Bloomberg Business quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum on the economic gains of developing an undersea pipeline for Iran, Oman, and India:

India Iran

In the News

Dec 9, 2015

Seznec on OPEC and Saudi Arabia

By Jean-François Seznec

Energy Fuse quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Jean-François Seznec on Saudi Arabia’s influence over OPEC:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Dec 9, 2015

Tanchum on Iran-Oman-India Pipeline

By Micha'el Tanchum

Trend quotes Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Micha’el Tanchum on the benefits of an undersea Iran-Oman-India pipeline:

India Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2015

Is the United States a Less Reliable Ally?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Some Arab Gulf states seen looking at Russia, China as ‘alternatives’ The United States’ friends and allies in the Middle East see Washington as a less reliable partner and are “talking fairly openly about alternatives” such as Russia and China, retired Gen. James L. Jones, Jr., a former US National Security Advisor, said on Dec. […]

International Organizations Iran

In the News

Dec 3, 2015

Shaffer on OPEC Meeting and Saudi Arabia

By Brenda Shaffer

Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Brenda Shaffer joins NPR to discuss how the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil will affect Saudi Arabia’s oil production:

Iran Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Dec 1, 2015

Saudi Arabia Prepares for OPEC Clash as Succession Questions Linger

By Jareer Elass

Saudi Arabia will face pressure in Vienna this week from fellow members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to rethink the group’s strategy of sustained high oil output that is causing economic pain to most oil producers. The OPEC meeting on Dec. 4 comes at a time when Gulf watchers are questioning […]

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Dec 1, 2015

McFate on the Deployment of Columbian Mercenaries in Yemen

By Sean McFate

Business Insider quotes Africa Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Sean McFate on the United Arab Emirates’ recruitment and training of Colombian mercenaries to fight in Yemen:

Colombia Yemen

In the News

Nov 25, 2015

McFate on Colombian Mercenaries in Yemen

By Sean McFate

The New York Times quotes Africa Center Senior Fellow Sean McFate on the growing number of Colombian mercenaries sent by the United Arab Emirates to fight in Yemen: 

Colombia Yemen

Defense Industrialist

Nov 17, 2015

More bombs on Al-Baghdadi

By James Hasik

The GCC air forces need, deserve, and can handle outside support. The tragedy of Paris this past weekend may eventually prove to have been the beginning of the end for the Al-Baghdadi Gang in Al-Raqqah. Wantonly attacking the citizens of two UN Security Council members in a week wasn’t just heinous, it was stupid. So […]

Defense Industry Saudi Arabia

Experts