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

Jun 4, 2015

Shaffer: The Drama Going on Outside OPEC’s Boardroom

By Brenda Shaffer

Global Energy Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Brenda Shaffer writes for FOX News on the behind the scenes oil drama going on outside of OPEC’s boardroom:

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jun 3, 2015

Main Obstacle to New US-GCC Partnership May Be GCC Itself

By Fahad Nazer

The talk leading up to President Obama’s summit with the leaders of the six Arab nations comprising the Gulf Cooperation Council focused on the supposed “snub” by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, who opted not to attend after initially signaling that he would.

International Organizations Iran

MENASource

May 28, 2015

Lebanonizing Yemen May Save It

By Nabeel Khoury

The Lebanese governance system, known as the National Pact of 1943, consists of a power-sharing formula based on a sectarian quota system, an agreement to forgo regional affiliations in favor of a Lebanon-first policy, and a pledge to seek consensus on any decision of national import.

Yemen

In the News

May 15, 2015

Bloomberg Highlights Atlantic Council Event on the Gulf Summit at Camp David

By Atlantic Council

Bloomberg covers an Atlantic Council conference call assessing the outcomes of the Gulf summit at Camp David:

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 14, 2015

LeBaron on the Conflict in Yemen

By Richard LeBaron

Global Post quotes Nonresident Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron on the conflict in Yemen and its regional implications:

Yemen

MENASource

May 13, 2015

Assessing Iran’s Strategy Toward the Arab World

By Richard LeBaron

Richard LeBaron delivered the following remarks at a discussion hosted by the Middle East Institute in Washington DC on March 27, 2015.

International Organizations Iran

MENASource

May 13, 2015

A New Saudi Foreign Policy for a New Era

By Bilal Y. Saab

Bilal Y. Saab spoke to a military audience at the National Defense University’s Near East and South Asia Center on May 5, 2015. Please read his remarks below. 

Iran Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

May 12, 2015

GCC No-Shows ‘Another Unfortunate Milestone’ in US-Gulf Ties

Leaders wanted more than ‘just a statement and more weapons sales’ out of Camp David summit, says Atlantic Council’s Pavel The decision by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and three other Arab leaders to skip a May 14 summit with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders at Camp David reflects deep unhappiness among Washington’s Gulf partners over […]

International Organizations National Security

Article

May 12, 2015

Camp David Summit Can’t Address Core GCC Problems

By Barbara Slavin

White House spinmeisters were in full damage-control mode Monday after Saudi Arabia announced that King Salman would not be attending a Camp David summit expressly arranged to reassure him and other U.S. Arab allies that an impending nuclear agreement with Iran is not coming at their expense.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 12, 2015

The Gulf Gulf

By Thomas O. Melia

When President Barack Obama welcomes leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to Camp David later this week for the rare honor of a two-day gathering at the presidential retreat, he will be hosting representatives of an unusual collection of hereditary monarchies.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

Experts