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

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

MENASource

Jan 16, 2015

Yemen and Syria: Making the Same Mistakes Twice

By Danya Greenfield and Faysal Itani

The recent statement from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen claiming responsibility for directing the brutal Paris attack should refocus some attention on the shortsighted approach of current US counterterrorism efforts across the region.

Syria Yemen

In the News

Jan 16, 2015

Greenfield on Counterterrorism Operations in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield joins NPR Morning Edition to discuss the presence of Al Qaeda in Yemen and counterterrorism efforts there:

Yemen
FSA rebels cleaning their AK47s, Oct. 19, 2012

NATOSource

Jan 16, 2015

US To Send 400 Trainers and Hundreds More Troops to Train Syrian Rebels

By Gordon Lubold, Defense One

The Pentagon will deploy more than 400 U.S. military trainers and hundreds more supporting personnel to four training sites in three countries as early as March as part of a long-awaited plan to help rebel forces to stabilize Syria.

Saudi Arabia Syria

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2015

Yemen-Based Group’s Claim of Paris Attack May Boost Its Ability to Strike the West

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Al-Qaeda Affiliate Could Bolster Recruitment, Resources, Pavel Says The claim by al Qaeda’s franchise in Yemen that it was behind the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, if true, would boost the group’s ability to plan similar attacks in the West, according to Atlantic Council analyst Barry Pavel.

France Yemen

In the News

Jan 14, 2015

Greenfield on Al Qaeda in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield joins AirTalk to discuss Al Qaeda in Yemen and the attack at the “Charlie Hebdo” office in Paris:

Yemen

In the News

Jan 7, 2015

Greenfield on the “Turning Point” in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Bloomberg quotes Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield on the recent bombing at the police academy in Yemen’s capital: 

Yemen

In the News

Jan 6, 2015

Saab and Manning: Riyadh’s Oil Play

By Robert Manning, Bilal Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab and Senior Fellow Robert Manning write for Foreign Affairs on the recent trend of falling oil prices:

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 1, 2015

Saab on Leadership Transition in the Gulf

By Bilal Y. Saab

CNBC quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on what kind of transition will likely occur once Crown Prince Salman eventually takes over as king of Saudi Arabia:

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Dec 28, 2014

Mezran: “Qatar’s Support for Islamists is Waning”

By Karim Mezran

The Wall Street Journal quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Karim Mezran on Qatari involvement in Middle East conflicts:

The Gulf

Experts