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

Aug 15, 2014

Saab on What the UAE Really Wants from NATO

By Bilal Y. Saab

Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Foreign Affairs on what the United Arab Emirates wants from collaboration with NATO. 

NATO NATO Partnerships

Event Recap

Jul 31, 2014

Shifting Political Alliances: Are Gains from Yemen’s National Dialogue Slipping?

Three years after Yemen adopted the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative, the country is slowly moving forward with its transition process. However, internal and external factors threaten to impede the country’s progress. On Wednesday, July 31, 2014, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted Mohammed Almaitami, chairman of the Khobara Center […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jul 31, 2014

Poverty and Conflict in the Middle East

By Matthew Timmerman

From its outset, the self-immolation of a crestfallen Tunisian vegetable vendor, the Arab Spring was largely about poverty. Mohamed Bouazizi’s final words before igniting himself and the region were, “How do you expect me to make a living?”

Iraq Middle East

In the News

Jul 30, 2014

Saab: Why Qatar’s Peacemaking Shouldn’t Be Trusted

By Bilal Y. Saab

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab writes for Foreign Affairs on Qatar’s recent attempts to mediate in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas:

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 24, 2014

Greenfield: There is Minimal Ability to Influence Decisions in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Ozy quotes Rafik Hariri Center Acting Director Danya Greenfield on Yemeni political street art:

Yemen

MENASource

Jul 22, 2014

Salvaging What Remains of the Nation State: The Missing Example of Egyptian Democracy

By Amr Hamzawy

Contrary to regimes in other Arab states in the Levant and the Gulf, the Egyptian government has never undermined Arab identity by spreading ideas of a dichotomy between Sunni and Shiite, of a conflict between Sunni-dominated areas and those living in the Shiite crescent, or of a conflict between Arabs and non-Arabs living in the […]

International Organizations Iraq

MENASource

Jul 22, 2014

YemenSource | Ceasefire reached in Jawf

By YemenSource

On July 20, the committee tasked with ending the violence between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni army in Jawf reached a ceasefire agreement just days after Houthi rebels took over two military bases in the area.

Yemen

In the News

Jul 17, 2014

Slavin on the Gulf Cooperation Council and an Iran Nuclear Agreement

By Barbara Slavin

Inzuna News Network quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin on concerns the Gulf Cooperation Council has regarding a nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 countries:

International Organizations Iran

In the News

Jul 15, 2014

Saab on Gulf Involvement in Iraq and Syria

By Bilal Y. Saab

World Politics Review quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow for Middle East Security Bilal Y. Saab on the role of Gulf countries in the ongoing crisis in Iraq:

International Organizations Iraq

MENASource

Jul 14, 2014

YemenSource | President Hadi Implements Austerity Measures as Economy Falters

By YemenSource

In a press statement, President Hadi ordered austerity measures to address the country’s financial problems. These measures aim to cut government spending and include restricting international travel for senior officials, stopping the new hiring of staff or office rentals, and cutting down on office expenses.

Yemen

Experts