Featured commentary & analysis

Breaking taboos: Youth activism in the Gulf States

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
Breaking taboos: Youth activism in the Gulf States

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
Breaking taboos: Youth activism in the Gulf States

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.

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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.

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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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Content

Issue Brief

Mar 7, 2014

Breaking taboos: Youth activism in the Gulf States

By Kristin Diwan

In a new Atlantic Council issue brief, Breaking Taboos: Youth Activism in the Gulf States, Visiting Senior Fellow Kristin Diwan contends that youth activists are bringing new forms of civic engagement and political contestation to the Arab states in the Gulf region.  Evaluating  youth movements in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, Diwan contends that although […]

Saudi Arabia
The Gulf

New Atlanticist

Mar 6, 2014

Break Up in the Gulf

By Bilal Y. Saab

On March 5, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain announced that they had withdrawn their ambassadors from Qatar, claiming that Doha had been violating a clause in the Gulf Cooperation Council charter banning interference in the domestic affairs of fellow GCC members. The decision, unprecedented in the GCC’s history, hints at significant […]

International Organizations
Politics & Diplomacy

Uncategorized

Mar 6, 2014

Saab: Breakup in the Gulf

By Bilal Saab

Bilal Saab, senior fellow for the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, writes in Foreign Affairs on the rift emerging between Qatar and the rest of the GCC countries:

Saudi Arabia
The Gulf

MENASource

Feb 28, 2014

Not the Saudi Arabia You Hear About

By MENASource

More than 100,000 young Saudis are currently studying in the United States, and this population is seen by many as a positive force that will inevitably catalyze change in conservative Saudi society. 

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Feb 26, 2014

Saab on Saudi Arabia

By Bilal Saab

Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Bilal Saab is quoted by the Associated Press on Saudi Arabia’s concerns as militants assisting the Syria opposition return home. 

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Feb 25, 2014

Reform or Insurgency in Bahrain

By Adam Simpson

The use of more violent means of confrontation in Bahrain is becoming more prevalent—at least on the part of a minority of anti-regime groups—as state security forces continue to use repressive measures against dissidents, employing beatings, tear gas, and birdshot on otherwise peaceful demonstrators.

The Gulf

MENASource

Feb 25, 2014

YemenSource | “Our Revolution Continues”: Hundreds of Thousands Protest Across Yemen

By YemenSource

On Friday, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of most governorates across Yemen, making clear their discontent and frustration.

Yemen

In the News

Feb 25, 2014

Itani on New Syria Point Person in Saudi Arabia

By Faysal Itani

The National quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on the replacement of Saudi Arabia’s chief Syria advisor:

Saudi Arabia
Syria

MENASource

Feb 20, 2014

To Confront Yemen’s Security Dilemmas, Start With Security Forces

By Adam Simpson

Despite the conclusion of Yemen’s National Dialogue, violence continues to plague the country, most notably with clashes between tribesman and separatists pressing for greater autonomy and government forces that have lost their confidence.

Yemen

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
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Experts

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

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Millennium fellow

Rumaitha Al Busaidi

Edward S. Mason Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Middle East

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy
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