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

Feb 13, 2024

China is testing its freeriding strategy in the Red Sea

By Léonie Allard

The United States and its allies and partners must find ways to better manage Beijing’s freeriding and opportunism in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

China Maritime Security

MENASource

Feb 1, 2024

China doesn’t have as much leverage in the Middle East as one thinks—at least when it comes to Iran

By Jonathan Fulton

China is more likely to continue to be the regional actor it has been over the past decade—one that comes to the Middle East to trade and build, not lead. 

China Conflict

Inflection Points Today

Jan 30, 2024

The Qatari prime minister on what this weekend’s hostage negotiations say about the future of the Middle East

By Frederick Kempe

The success of Qatari mediation will be a leading indicator of what is possible.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jan 29, 2024

Qatar’s prime minister sees progress on Israel-Hamas hostage negotiations—but warns regional tensions are ‘boiling up’

By Katherine Golden

At an AC Front Page event, Al-Thani discussed talks that took place in Paris over the weekend, which he said made “good progress” on mapping a way out of the conflict.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2024

Houthi attacks in the Red Sea hurt global trade and slow the energy transition

By William Tobin, Joseph Webster

Recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea are a reminder that a major disruption to freedom of navigation would hold many negative consequences.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Jan 23, 2024

Lipsky quoted in Bloomberg on the impact of Red Sea attacks on global supply chains

Read the full piece here.

Economy & Business International Markets

In the News

Jan 18, 2024

Mohseni-Cheraghlou quoted in Al-Monitor on Red Sea shipping and China’s auto industry

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Jan 18, 2024

The real reason the Saudi government is investing in sports. Hint: It’s not to impress you.

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali and Jaime Stansbury

Saudi Arabia’s big financial bets in the sports world are part of its broader Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy away from oil.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2024

The Houthis are again ‘specially designated global terrorists.’ Here’s what that means. 

By Atlantic Council experts

The Biden administration just returned the Iran-backed group in Yemen to the US terrorist list, but it did not designate the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization. Atlantic Council experts explain what the decision means.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Jan 13, 2024

In Yemen and elsewhere, manageable local issues are driving an unmanageable regional crisis

By Borzou Daragahi

The United States and international response should remain otherwise measured so as not to play into the hands of the Houthis.

Iran Middle East

Experts