Featured commentary & analysis

Egypt’s stability is the GCC’s top priority in the region. Here’s why. 

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
Egypt’s stability is the GCC’s top priority in the region. Here’s why. 

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
Egypt’s stability is the GCC’s top priority in the region. Here’s why. 

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

Report

Aug 3, 2023

Egypt’s stability is the GCC’s top priority in the region. Here’s why. 

By H.A. Hellyer

After the 2011-2013 revolution in Egypt, the author discussed the GCC's relationship with Egypt with a senior minister, who emphasized the importance of Egypt's stability. This sentiment has been shared by most GCC leaders over the past decade, though the way it has been expressed may have evolved. Political nuances in Cairo were considered less crucial, while the focus remained on the pragmatic and straightforward need for stability in Egypt.

Defense Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 23, 2023

Rich Outzen joins Al-Monitor to discuss Turkey’s Baykar drones
Defense Technologies Middle East

TURKEYSource

Jul 21, 2023

What’s behind growing ties between Turkey and the Gulf states

By Serhat S. Çubukçuoğlu and Mouza Hasan Almarzooqi

Erdoğan's tour of the Gulf opens a new chapter in Turkey's political and economic relations with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Defense Industry Drones

MENASource

Jul 20, 2023

The Islamic Republic exported its revolution to my country, Yemen. The international community must do more to stop this.

By Moammar Al-Eryani

The international community should not stand by and allow the malign behavior of the Islamic Republic to go unchecked.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jul 18, 2023

Is Russia really siding with the UAE against Iran?

By Mark N. Katz

For Russia to endorse the GCC's position on three islands is especially surprising, considering how much Iran has done to support Moscow.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jul 16, 2023

Rich Outzen joins i24News to discuss the escalation in the Gulf
Maritime Security Middle East

In the News

Jul 14, 2023

Wald quoted in The Intercept on Saudi Arabia’s US investments
Economy & Business Middle East

Issue Brief

Jul 5, 2023

The minilateral moment in the Middle East: An opportunity for US regional policy?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Jean-Loup Samaan analyzes how regional powers in the Middle East are reconsidering the multilateral balance of their foreign policy arrangements.

Middle East Political Reform

MENASource

Jun 22, 2023

How regime security is set to dominate Saudi-UAE interaction over economic competition and political rivalry

By Robert Mason

The Middle East has been a critical area of Saudi and UAE interaction and cooperation, especially at the onset of the 2011 Arab Spring.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Jun 20, 2023

The way for the US to ensure Gulf security is through partnership, not policing

By David Mack

As the United States continues to work with the Gulf on security, expect blips. Despite that, Washington can get this partnership back on course.

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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Experts

Expert bio

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

Staff

Allison Minor

Director, N7 Research Institute

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Amir Hayek

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Perrihan Al-Riffai

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business
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