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

New Atlanticist

May 7, 2015

With an Eye on Iran, Gulf Countries Seek US ‘Security Guarantee’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

UAE’s Ambassador says ‘gentleman’s agreement’ must be replaced with ‘something in writing’ The United Arab Emirates and its five partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—worried about Iran’s hegemonic ambitions in their neighborhood—want a US “security guarantee,” Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE’s Ambassador in Washington, said May 7 at the Atlantic Council. “We are looking […]

International Organizations Iran

MENASource

May 6, 2015

Guns, Butter, and the Future of the Gulf States

By Mathew Burrows

Recent news reports of the Saudis burning through their foreign currency reserves at record pace over the past couple months. Combined with the growing conflict in Yemen and an already heavy engagement in Syria begs questions about the future of Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) neighbors.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

Defense Industrialist

May 5, 2015

Spartans Need Strike Fighters

By James Hasik

The Emirates will bring to Camp David a strong case for buying F-35s. For their support for a treaty to put the Iranian nuclear program on ice, the Gulf Cooperation Council governments are coming to Camp David with shopping lists. Specifically, the GCC states have signaled in advance that they will want advanced weapons, including F-35 […]

Iran Israel

MENASource

May 5, 2015

A US Defense Treaty with the Gulf States: Why Values Matter

By Richard LeBaron

In an Atlantic Council report and subsequent article in The National Interest, my colleagues Barry Pavel and Bilal Saab at the Brent Scowcroft Center of the Atlantic Council have made a case for a formal alliance with US security partners in the Gulf.

Iran Saudi Arabia

MENASource

May 4, 2015

US Role in GCC Security: Lessons from the Taiwan Case

By Robert A. Manning

The upcoming Camp David Summit with nervous Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders has the Obama administration casting about for ways to enhance security assurances.

International Organizations Iran

MENASource

May 1, 2015

Yemen: A View from Marib

By Nadwa Al-Dawsari

It has now been more than a year since Ahmed Ashulaif, a distinguished fifty year-old businessman and tribal leader from Marib, put his business on hold. Since then, he has fought to stop the Houthis, a Zaydi-Shia rebel group that took control of Yemen’s capital and ousted its government in September 2014.

Iran Saudi Arabia

In the News

Apr 27, 2015

Khoury on the Devolving Humanitarian Situation in Yemen

By Nabeel Khoury

International Business Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Nabeel Khoury on the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen:

Yemen

In the News

Apr 27, 2015

Pham on the Regional Consequences of a Naval Blockade off Yemeni Coast

By J. Peter Pham

Reuters quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the regional consequences of a employing a continuing naval blockade to keep weapons from Yemeni rebels: 

Yemen

In the News

Apr 23, 2015

Slavin Debates Conflict in Yemen

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins France 24 to debate the current conflict in Yemen:

Yemen

In the News

Apr 23, 2015

Khoury on the Continuing Saudi-Led Airstrikes in Yemen

By Nabeel Khoury

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Nabeel Khoury joins NPR affiliate KQED Forum to discuss the continuing Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen:

Yemen

Experts