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

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

Issue Brief

Oct 9, 2014

Do drone strikes in Yemen undermine US security objectives?

By Danya Greenfield and Stefanie A. Hausheer

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, a new Atlantic Council issue brief assesess the use of drones and the US strategy in Yemen, and argues this approach is shortsighted and threatens US national […]

Yemen

In the News

Oct 8, 2014

Greenfield on Conflict in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Voice of America quotes Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield on whether there can be a lasting peace in Yemen: 

Yemen

Defense Industrialist

Oct 6, 2014

A JDAM for Human Rights

By James Hasik

Major Mariam al Mansouri’s exploits are an unintended benefit of a looser arms export regime.   Arms sales bear a bad reputation for mortgaging global political sensibilities to domestic economic interests. But as a diplomat in Washington reminded me over dinner last week, to have influence, one must be willing to talk. As sociologist Ori […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 24, 2014

Saab on Expulsion of Muslim Brotherhood Members from Qatar

By Bilal Y. Saab

World Politics Review quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on what effect Qatar’s expulsion of Muslim Brotherhood leaders may have for relationships in the region:

The Gulf

MENASource

Sep 23, 2014

Yemen: President Hadi’s Gamble with the Houthis

By Danya Greenfield

After a devastating week of violence claiming at least 300 lives, the Houthi movement and leadership of the major political parties signed a peace agreement on Sunday that could lead the country out of the current morass.

Yemen

MENASource

Sep 17, 2014

Sectarian War Going Unnoticed in East Yemen

By Nadwa Al-Dawsari

The Houthis, a Shia rebel group operating outside of government control primarily in the northern Saada governorate, have aggressively pushed for influence in the neighboring territories.

Yemen

Experts