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.

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Uncategorized

Feb 20, 2014

Al Akhali on Yemen’s Transition

By Rafat Al Akhali

Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Rafat Al Akhali joins Al Jazeera English’s The Stream to discuss the transition in Yemen:

Yemen

In the News

Feb 19, 2014

Slavin on Obama Trip to Saudi Arabia

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes on US President Barack Obama’s trip to Saudi Arabia next month for Al Monitor:

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Feb 19, 2014

YemenSource | Houthis, Socialists, Herak, Voice Opposition to Six-region Plan

By YemenSource

After last Monday’s decision to build a six-region state, several groups across Yemen have voiced their opposition to the federal model.

Yemen

MENASource

Feb 18, 2014

Why Egypt Matters to the UAE

By EgyptSource

With the fall of former president Mohamed Morsi in early July, several Gulf countries have propped up Egypt’s failing economy with a stream of cash pledged to the North African country. Mere days after Morsi’s fall, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Kuwait together had already pledged $8 billion to Egypt. Of the […]

North Africa The Gulf

MENASource

Feb 18, 2014

Egypt, not Syria, the Main Game for the United Arab Emirates

By Richard LeBaron

When Secretary Kerry met with leaders in Abu Dhabi the evening of February 17, he surely briefed them on the latest US thinking on Syria and Iran. It is also likely that his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) briefed him on their activities in Egypt, which they consider their most important foreign policy […]

North Africa The Gulf

Issue Brief

Feb 13, 2014

The economic consequences of the Arab Spring

By Mohsin Khan

In a new issue brief, Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Mohsin Khan contends that although political turmoil has dominated economic decision-making in the Arab transition countries and Jordan and Morocco during the last three years, there is some encouraging evidence that these economies will turn around in 2014. Analyzing economic developments in the Arab transition […]

Libya Morocco

Report

Feb 12, 2014

The state of Arab transitions: Hope resilient despite many unmet demands

By Mirette F. Mabrouk and Stefanie A. Hausheer

Report authors Mirette F. Mabrouk, deputy director for regional programs, and Stefanie A. Hausheer, assistant director, examine the progress in achieving the original demands of protestors and contend that local actors would embrace greater international support to help facilitate genuine transitions. By examining six key themes—political polarization, constitution-drafting processes, transitional justice, economic progress, civil society […]

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Feb 10, 2014

YemenSource | Six Regions Approved For Federal Transition

By YemenSource

The Regions Committee assembled by President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi has agreed on six regions for Yemen’s federated state.

Yemen

In the News

Feb 10, 2014

Greenfield on a Six-Region Federation in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Al Jazeera America quotes Rafik Hariri Center Acting Director Danya Greenfield on Yemeni President Hadi’s decision to transform the country into a six region federation:

Yemen

MENASource

Feb 4, 2014

What Libya Can Learn from Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Libya-watchers should be encouraged by the initiation of the country’s National Dialogue last month and an election date set for the constitution-making body on February 20, both of which give much-needed positive momentum to lift Libya out of the cycle of violence and recrimination.

Libya Yemen

Experts