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 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

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

Experts