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

MENASource

Nov 24, 2014

Getting the Houthi Perspective in Washington

By Danya Greenfield and Owen Daniels

A roundtable discussion about Yemen’s fragile state of affairs in Washington is perhaps not all that notable, but this one marked a historic moment. Cohosted by the Atlantic Council and the Center for International Private Enterprise on November 19, a representative from the Houthi movement—a Shia-Zaydi revivalist group with an armed militia—spoke publicly in the […]

Yemen

In the News

Nov 18, 2014

Saab on Oman’s Peaceful Diplomacy

By Bilal Y. Saab

The National quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on Oman’s National Day and trade relations.

The Gulf

In the News

Nov 11, 2014

Saab Article Listed on BBC Must-Read List

By Bilal Y. Saab

BBC cites an article in Foreign Affairs by Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on Oman as a piece of must-read commentary from around the world:

The Gulf

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2014

Silent Partner

By Bilal Y. Saab

How Oman Became the Middle East’s Indispensable Nation To many Omanis, it is offensive to openly contemplate life after Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the widely admired albeit absolute monarch who has been receiving medical treatment in Germany since July. But policymakers elsewhere in the world have no choice but to do just that. The 73-year-old Qaboos is […]

International Organizations Iran

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

Experts