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

In the News

Apr 4, 2023

Wald joins NPR to discuss the cut in oil production and what it means for US-Saudi relations

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2023

Israeli-Arab cooperation on agriculture, water, and food security starts with building on existing innovations

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The recent N7 conference showed how the climate crisis in Middle Eastern societies has given rise to a set of issues around which there is much consensus and a true openness to addressing them together.

Civil Society Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Mar 24, 2023

Pavia quoted in Responsible Statecraft on Saudi Arabia- Israel relationship.

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 24, 2023

Nikoladze and Bhusari cited by the Washington Post on Chinese-Russian collaboration on dedollarization

Read the full piece here.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Mar 23, 2023

Qahwa with Saudi women entrepreneurs from the WIn fellowship

By Nour Dabboussi and Mahnaz Vahdati

On March 2, 2023, the Atlantic Council's empowerME Initiative hosted a Twitter Space conversation with the WIn Fellows cohort.

Middle East Resilience & Society

MENASource

Mar 21, 2023

China’s mediation between Saudi and Iran is no cause for panic in Washington

By Ahmed Aboudouh

The deal is a mere statement of intentions by both countries to improve relations, meaning reconciliation is not complete.

China East Asia

Report

Mar 14, 2023

Improving Gulf security: A framework to enhance air, missile, and maritime defenses

By The Gulf Security Task Force

Looking at decades of US support and operations in the Gulf and recognizing a continued, arguably growing, air and maritime threat from Iran, the Atlantic Council Gulf Security Task Force developed a framework on how to best protect US and allies’ interests in this sensitive, always relevant region.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Mar 10, 2023

Women on a mission: MENA female entrepreneurs are making waves in the region

By Lynn Monzer

Women entrepreneurs have emerged as a force to be reckoned with in many Arab economies, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future generations.

Civil Society Middle East

Fast Thinking

Mar 10, 2023

Why did China broker an Iran-Saudi detente?

By Atlantic Council

What does this move mean for one of the Middle East’s defining rivalries? How should the United States view China’s role in the breakthrough? Our experts dig beyond the diplomat-speak.

Economy & Business Iran
Iran and Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Mar 10, 2023

Experts react: Iran and Saudi Arabia just agreed to restore relations, with help from China. Here’s what that means for the Middle East and the world.

By Atlantic Council experts

Long-standing regional adversaries just made a big announcement: They will reestablish diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the announcement.

China Iran

Experts