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 29, 2015

The Wall Street Journal Mentions Atlantic Council Event Featuring Houthi Representative

The Wall Street Journal mentions an Atlantic Council event, “Yemen in Crisis,” that featured remarks from Ali Al-Emad, a Houthi representative:

Yemen

In the News

Jan 28, 2015

Saab on the Sale of US Predator Drones to the United Arab Emirates

By Bilal Saab

The National quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on the sale of US Predator drones to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and what it means for the US-UAE relationship:

The Gulf

In the News

Jan 28, 2015

Slavin: “The Alliance with the Iranians is More an Alliance of Convenience”

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins PBS’s Frontline to discuss the alliance between the Houthis and Iran:

Iran Yemen

In the News

Jan 27, 2015

LeBaron: “Saudis Have to be Part of the Solution to the Problem of ISIS and the Iran Problem”

By Richard LeBaron

The LA Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Richard LeBaron on President Obama’s approach to Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jan 26, 2015

New Saudi King, Same Old Kingdom

By MENASource

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s passing last Friday marked the beginning of King Salman Al Saud’s reign in Saudi Arabia, sparking questions surrounding the future of Saudi policy inside and outside the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jan 24, 2015

What 2015 Holds for the Middle East

By Nabeel Khoury

In “The Arab Cold War Revisited,” published in Middle East Policy 2013, I suggested that Arab monarchies, authoritarian republics, and Islamist forces comprised the three main axes competing for power in the Middle East. I argued that the competition would likely continue until the more radical Islamists were defeated and the state systems went back […]

Iraq Middle East

In the News

Jan 24, 2015

Saab on America’s Relationship with Saudi Arabia

By Bilal Saab

The Economist quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on America’s relationship with Saudi Arabia:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 23, 2015

Saab: Saudi Arabia’s Way Forward

By Bilal Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Foreign Affairs on Saudi Arabia’s King Salman:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 23, 2015

Saab on King Salman’s Views on Iran

By Bilal Saab

CQ Roll Call quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on King Salman’s views on Iran:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 23, 2015

Saab and Manning: “The Biggest Risk Associated With Riyadh’s Oil Strategy Is Domestic”

By Bilal Saab and Robert Manning

The Council on Foreign Relations quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab and Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Robert Manning on how the death of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud could impact Saudi oil policy:

Saudi Arabia

Experts