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

China-MENA Podcast

Jul 20, 2022

China-GCC Relations

By Atlantic Council

Mohammed Al Sudairi joins us to discuss China-GCC Relations in terms of people, culture and businesses, the political view of the GCC towards China, how the US-China competition narrative is received by GCC countries, and how people from the Gulf see China.

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2022

A tale of two greetings: Decoding Biden’s hand-to-hand diplomacy in the Middle East

By Jonathan Panikoff

The Biden-MBS fist bump reveals a frosty but functional relationship, while a handshake with Netanyahu reflects a long relationship—and political reality.

Politics & Diplomacy Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Jul 19, 2022

Why Biden’s Mideast trip was much ado about very little

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Saudi Arabia’s definition of US commitment, as well as the Gulf’s more broadly, does not align with the amount of skin the United States is willing to put in the game.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jul 18, 2022

Kroenig and Ashford debate Biden’s Middle East policy

On July 15, Foreign Policy published its biweekly "It's Debatable" column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and NAEI resident senior fellow Emma Ashford. In their latest column, they debate Biden's Middle East policy on his first trip to the region as president.

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

Jul 15, 2022

Katz in National Interest: What Saudi and Emirati attitudes about Russia mean for China and Taiwan

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy The Gulf

In the News

Jul 15, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Al-Monitor on Saudi Arabia opening their airspace to Israel

By Atlantic Council

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 15, 2022

Shapiro quoted in France24 on Saudi opening their airways to Israel

By Atlantic Council

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 15, 2022

Panikoff quoted in BBC on Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jul 14, 2022

Time heals all wounds. But will that work with Saudi Arabia and Turkey?

By Pınar Dost, Jonathan Panikoff

Does time make one forget resentments or do national interests triumph over friendships and enmities? The latter seems true for Turkey's president and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

MENASource

Jul 14, 2022

Biden’s Middle East trip focuses on the region. But China is the elephant in the room.

By Ahmed Aboudouh

US President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East on 13-16 July won’t directly focus on China. However, the rising power will be the elephant in the room at the Saudi summit in Jeddah.

China East Asia

Experts