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

President of the EU Council Donald Tusk, June 25, 2015

NATOSource

Jun 26, 2015

EU Urges More Defense Spending in Dangerous Times

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

European Council President Donald Tusk urged European leaders to spend more on defense on Friday as deadly attacks in France, Tunisia and Kuwait drove home his point about dramatic changes to the security situation in Europe and its neighborhood.

European Union France

In the News

Jun 26, 2015

Saab on ISIS in Saudi Arabia

By Bilal Saab

Foreign-language Rawaq features Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab’s Foreign Affairs article on ISIS in Saudi Arabia: 

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jun 26, 2015

Yemen’s Geneva Epitaph

By Adam Simpson and Jordan Lesser-Roy

The failure of Yemen’s UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva that began on June 15 is an unfortunate—but expected—result. Given the scope of the looming humanitarian crisis, understanding the recent derailment is critical to preventing Yemen from becoming a disaster that overtakes even the carnage in Syria.

Saudi Arabia Yemen

In the News

Jun 25, 2015

Gramer and Daniels: France Fills the American Arms Void

By Gramer and Daniels

Transatlantic Security Initiative Assistant Director Robbie Gramer and Middle East Peace and Security Initiative Program Assistant Owen Daniels write for Politico on new French defense contracts with Gulf states in light of strained negotiations between the United States and its partners in the region:

France International Organizations

In the News

Jun 23, 2015

LeBaron on Intricacies of Iranian Negotiations

By Richard LeBaron

The Guardian quotes Nonresident Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron on why Saudi and Israeli fears of Iran are complicating nuclear negotiations:

Iran Israel

MENASource

Jun 19, 2015

Saudis Cannot See the Forest for the Houthis

By Adam Simpson

As Yemeni factions involved in the ongoing conflict entered talks in Geneva on June 15, prospects for a ceasefire look bleak as the Houthis and Saudis—by no means the only participants, but certainly the two most destructive actors—have intensified their attacks.

Saudi Arabia Yemen

MENASource

Jun 17, 2015

Oman’s Diplomatic Bridge in Yemen

By Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner

Last month, US officials traveled to Oman and held “secret” talks with a Houthi delegation. Both sides discussed the implementation of a ceasefire and a political transition in Yemen.

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jun 11, 2015

Saab: Can the House of Saud Survive ISIS?

By Bilal Y. Saab

Senior Fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Foreign Affairs on Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism campaign against ISIS and its relationship to entrenched religious divisions:

Saudi Arabia

Event Recap

Jun 8, 2015

Saudi Arabia’s Leadership Changes: Implications for Stability and Energy Marketss

By The Global Energy Center

On Friday, May 29, 2015, the Atlantic Council hosted a panel, which discussed the impact recent leadership changes in Saudi Arabia will have on global energy markets as well as on regional stability and security. Panelists addressed the following questions: Is the restructuring of Saudi Aramco indicative of future changes within Saudi Arabia’s energy sector? […]

International Organizations Iran

Article

Jun 5, 2015

Glimmer of Hope for Yemen, Gloom Elsewhere in the Middle East

By Barbara Slavin

This week, there were a plethora of events in Washington devoted to deepening understanding of the factors tearing apart Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen and threatening the stability of many other countries in the region.

Iran Syria

Experts