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 23, 2015

Hawthorne: “We Invested a lot in President Hadi”

By Amy Hawthorne

The Wall Street Journal quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Amy Hawthorne on US counterterrorism strategy and the resignation of Yemen’s President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi:

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2015

New Saudi King Has A Lot on His Plate

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Bilal Y. Saab Sees ‘Profound and Generational Problems’ Saudi Arabia’s new king will have his hands full dealing with multiple challenges, both at home and abroad, says Atlantic Council analyst Bilal Y. Saab. King Salman bin Abdulaziz, who ascended to the throne following the death of his half-brother Abdullah on Friday, was quick […]

Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2015

A New King: Salman Will Keep Saudi Arabia on Course

By Ashish Kumar Sen

‘Continuity, Cohesion, and Consolidation Will Be the Watchwords,’ Says LeBaron  Saudi Arabia’s new king, Salman bin Abdulaziz, is unlikely to depart sharply from the policies of his half-brother and predecessor, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who died on Friday, according to Atlantic Council analyst Richard LeBaron. “Continuity, cohesion, and consolidation will be the watchwords,” LeBaron, a nonresident […]

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jan 23, 2015

King Abdullah’s Legacy: Championing Higher Education in Saudi Arabia

By Stefanie A. Hausheer

As the moment has arrived to mourn the passing of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, my own experience with Saudis leads me to believe that the king’s greatest legacy to his own people—and to Saudi-US relations—will prove to be his pioneering of higher education initiatives.

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jan 23, 2015

Yemen’s Coup in All But Name

By Danya Greenfield

Less than 48 hours had passed after the latest agreement between the Houthi rebel movement and the Yemeni government, and the ground had shifted once again.

Yemen

In the News

Jan 22, 2015

Slavin: United States Maintains Intelligence Relationship With Houthis

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on the United States maintaining an intelligence relationship with Houthis:

Yemen

In the News

Jan 22, 2015

Greenfield: “The Desire to Avoid Civil War Has Been Very Profound”

By Danya Greenfield

USA Today quotes Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield on the leadership crisis in Yemen:

Yemen

MENASource

Jan 21, 2015

Missing the Roots of the Crisis in Yemen

By MENASource

Hope for Yemen’s political transition suffered a major blow over the past two days as Houthi rebels shelled the presidential palace and put President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi, a key US ally, under house arrest. Yemen’s Information Minister Nadia Sakkaf reported that Hadi had lost all control over the country, including in the capital, Sana’a.

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Jan 21, 2015

In Yemen, a US Policy Focused on Drones Missed the Roots of Instability and Terror

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US and Allies Need to Help Build Economy, Governance, and Justice, Analyst Says The chaos in Yemen underscores that the United States and its allies need a comprehensive security and economic strategy for that country, says Atlantic Council analyst Danya Greenfield. Yemen’s decline, marked yesterday as Shiite tribesmen besieged the presidential offices, has given new […]

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Jan 20, 2015

Here’s Why Saudi Arabia Has Let Oil Prices Fall—and Why They Could Revive by Year’s End

By David L. Goldwyn

The Saudi Kingdom Aims to Restore Its Relevance, and OPEC’s Discipline Analysts largely agree on the main reasons why the world’s benchmark oil price has dropped by half in the past six months, from $100 per barrel to $50. Supplies grew faster than expected, demand has been underwhelming, US imports of light crude oil declined, […]

Saudi Arabia

Experts