Featured commentary & analysis

The economic consequences of the Arab Spring

MENASource Jun 24, 2025

Dispatch from the Gulf: Finding middle ground amid Israel-Iran war

By Allison Minor

Congressional delegation visit coincided with Israel and Iran squaring off in a direct military confrontation.
Iran Israel
The economic consequences of the Arab Spring

MENASource May 28, 2025

Mickey goes to the Gulf: The UAE’s wish upon a soft power star

By Amit Yarom

In a region often defined by hard power rivalries, Abu Dhabi has chosen to compete through visibility, credibility and imagination.
Media Middle East
The economic consequences of the Arab Spring

MENASource May 23, 2025

The Gulf is emerging as Washington’s new strategic anchor

By Joze Pelayo

The so-called US “Golden Age for the Gulf” is one rooted in strategic utility, equal footing, high-stake deals, and fewer strings.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

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.

EXPLORE THE Counterterrorism study group

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.

Listen

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.

EXPLORE THE GULF SECURITY TASK FORCE

Content

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

MENASource

Feb 3, 2014

YemenSource | Fresh Challenges Ahead As National Dialogue Ends

By YemenSource

Hariri Center acting director Danya Greenfield writes for BBC Online that “Yemen offers an inspiring and hopeful example with the recent completion of [the NDC]…however, “now Yemen’s leaders must start the even more  difficult process of translating it into meaningful action and incorporating the principles into a new constitution.”

Yemen

MENASource

Jan 29, 2014

Cautious Celebration for Yemen’s National Dialogue

By Danya Greenfield

Typical headlines from Yemen usually highlight a recent assassination, damage from a drone strike, or violent tribal feuding, so it’s worth noting the positive milestone in the country’s transition process with the official close of Yemen’s National Dialogue.

Yemen

MENASource

Jan 29, 2014

Will Decentralization in Yemen Marginalize Citizens?

By Rafat Al-Akhali

With the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in Yemen concluded on 25 January 2014, the constitution-drafting period will focus on incorporating the outcomes of the NDC discussions into the new national charter. A close examination of the outcomes of the NDC may help address any shortcomings in the NDC agreements during the constitution-drafting process.

Yemen

In the News

Jan 28, 2014

Hof and LeBaron Speak at Middle East Policy Council Conference

Hariri Center Senior Fellows Richard LeBaron and Frederic Hof joined the Middle East Policy Council’s 75th Capitol Hill Conference to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and its policies in the region, the concerns of Gulf states and Israel, and how an agreement would affect the balance of power in the region.

International Organizations Iran

MENASource

Jan 28, 2014

Yemen Faces Fresh Challenges as National Dialogue Ends

By Danya Greenfield

Amidst troubling reports of setbacks in the Arab awakening countries – ongoing militia violence in Libya and repressive measures in Egypt by the military-backed government – Yemen offers an inspiring and hopeful example with the recent completion of its National Dialogue Conference (NDC).

Yemen
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Experts

Fellow

Perrihan Al-Riffai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Millennium fellow

Sharif Abdelrazeq

Sustainability and Innovation Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic China

Fellow

Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Khaled H. Alyemany

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Middle East
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