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

Sep 23, 2015

Saab: The UAE’s Bold Choice in Yemen

By Bilal Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Newsweek on the pitfalls of the United Arab Emirates’ intervention in Yemen:

The Gulf

MENASource

Sep 8, 2015

Terms of Engagement with the Saudis

By Richard LeBaron

President Barack Obama met Saudi King Salman in the Oval Office last Friday. The visit did not get much media attention, but one would not expect massive coverage of a meeting on the Friday afternoon of the US Labor Day extended weekend.

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Sep 3, 2015

Hausheer Ali on a Greater Role for Women in Saudi Arabia

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Bloomberg Businessweek quotes Rafik Hariri Center Associate Director Stefanie Hausheer Ali on the evolving role of women in Saudi Arabian society:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Sep 3, 2015

Ricciardone on King Salman’s US Visit

By Francis J. Ricciardon

Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone joins Voice of America to discuss potential topics of conversation between President Obama and King Salman of Saudi Arabia during his upcoming visit to the White House: 

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Aug 27, 2015

Blanford: Did Saudis Nab Mastermind of 1996 Terror Attack on US Forces?

By Nicholas Blanford

Middle East Peace and Security Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Nicholas Blanford writes for the Christian Science Monitor on the potential arrest of the architect of the 1996 Khobar Towers attack:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Aug 21, 2015

Khoury on US-Saudi Foreign Policy

By Nabeel Khoury

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Nabeel Khoury joins NPR to discuss the lack of US pressure toward Saudi Arabia regarding its activities in Yemen: 

Saudi Arabia Yemen

MENASource

Aug 20, 2015

Yemen: Calling for a Comprehensive US Strategy to End the Conflict

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee, the primary mechanism for inter-agency coordination of UN- and non-UN humanitarian assistance, recently labeled the conflict in Yemen a category 3 emergency—the most severe category in the international system.

Yemen

MENASource

Aug 13, 2015

Can US Action Stop the War in Yemen?

By Nabeel Khoury and April Longley Alley

US-ally Saudi Arabia is leading a war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. But after nearly five months, the Houthis have entrenched themselves in captured territory, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) have gained ground, and the war has created a humanitarian catastrophe, with over 4,000 dead and aid agencies warning of impending famine.

Saudi Arabia Yemen

In the News

Aug 11, 2015

Seznec on Iran-Saudi Arabia Relations

By Jean-Francois Seznec

The Huffington Post quotes Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Jean-François Seznec on the potential for a thaw in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia as a result of the recently negotiated nuclear deal with Iran and the rise of ISIS:

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Aug 11, 2015

Hausheer Ali on Saudi Women in the Workforce

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Bloomberg quotes Rafik Hariri Center Associate Director Stefanie Hausheer Ali on how the changing economic situation in Saudi Arabia is driving more women into the workforce:

Saudi Arabia

Experts