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

Nov 6, 2014

Greenfield on Sanctions against Former President of Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

The National quotes Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield on an upcoming US request for sanctions against the former president of Yemen and two Houthi rebel leaders:

Yemen

In the News

Nov 3, 2014

Greenfield on Iranian Support in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Bloomberg quotes Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield on Iranian support for the Houthi movement in Yemen:

Yemen

In the News

Oct 28, 2014

Saab on Challenges Facing the Gulf Cooperation Council

By Bilal Y. Saab

The National quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on challenges facing the Gulf Cooperation Council ahead of its annual meeting in December: 

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Oct 24, 2014

Greenfield on Violence in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield joins Voice of America’s Encounter to discuss recent aggression by the Houthi movement in Yemen: 

Yemen
NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate

NATOSource

Oct 20, 2014

Strengthening NATO-Gulf Cooperation

By Alexander Vershbow, NATO

NATO is playing its part too. We all stand with our Ally Turkey, which is literally on the front line. And while the air campaign is not a NATO operation, NATO Allies provide the bulk of the military assets that are now being deployed to degrade ISIL.

International Organizations NATO

MENASource

Oct 17, 2014

US Policy in Yemen: Shortsighted Focus Yields Limited Results

By MENASource

With a heavy reliance on shortsighted tactical strikes on terrorists, the US counterterrorism policy in Yemen ignores the underlying reasons that drive extremism and instability in the country.

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Oct 16, 2014

Only a Long-Term Approach Can Resolve Terrorist Threat in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Two suicide bombing attacks in Yemen last week took the lives of at least 67 people and wounded more than 75 people, widely assumed to be the handiwork of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). This horrendous loss of life underscores the need for United States and its allies to reevaluate how we combat extremist […]

Yemen

In the News

Oct 10, 2014

Greenfield on Drone Strikes in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Ria Novosti quotes Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield on US drone use in Yemen and in the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham:

Yemen

Press Release

Oct 9, 2014

US Yemen Counterterrorism and Drone Policy Shortsighted, Undermines US National Security Interests

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Samia Yakub202.769.0724press@atlanticcouncil.org Despite President Obama’s assertion that the United States’ counterterrorism strategy targeting militants in Yemen and Somalia provide a “successful” model to be emulated in its fight against ISIS, two new Atlantic Council publications assess the use of drones and the US strategy in Yemen, and argue this approach is shortsighted […]

Yemen

Issue Brief

Oct 9, 2014

A blueprint for a comprehensive US counterterrorism strategy in Yemen

By Barbara K. Bodine and Danya Greenfield

A new Atlantic Council issue brief argues that current US counterterrorism efforts in Yemen fail to address deeper structural issues that foment extremism and destabilize Yemen’s central government. In “A Blueprint for a Comprehensive US Counterterrorism Strategy in Yemen,” former US Ambassador to Yemen Barbara K. Bodine and Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East […]

Yemen

Experts