Featured commentary & analysis

How OPEC+ oil cuts accelerate China’s push for multipolarity in the Middle East

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
How OPEC+ oil cuts accelerate China’s push for multipolarity in the Middle East

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
How OPEC+ oil cuts accelerate China’s push for multipolarity in the Middle East

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

MENASource

Nov 10, 2022

How OPEC+ oil cuts accelerate China’s push for multipolarity in the Middle East

By Ahmed Aboudouh

The OPEC+ decision to cut oil production creates momentum and encourages China to accelerate the exploitation of the multipolar moment rising in the Middle East.

China
East Asia

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2022

Punish Riyadh or play it cool? How the United States can renegotiate its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

By Kirsten Fontenrose

A deep-dive look at the US-Saudi relationship reveals some surprising points for cooperation—and that the Saudi-Russia oil tie-up may be less than it seems.

Economy & Business
Energy & Environment

In the News

Nov 4, 2022

CBDC Tracker cited by Reuters on the UAE’s CBDC pilot program

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies
Digital Policy

MENASource

Oct 27, 2022

It’s time to salvage US-Saudi relations. And no, it’s not just because of oil.

By Hani Findakly

The US-Saudi alliance is ninety years old and, while nations act in their perceived interests, a breach of this alliance has potential negative consequences for both sides and the region.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Oct 27, 2022

The UAE is making a precarious shift in its Libya policy. Here’s why.

By Emadeddin Badi

As an influential actor in the Libyan landscape for over a decade, it comes as no surprise that changes in Emirati policy have had a direct impact.

Libya
Middle East

Event Recap

Oct 27, 2022

UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam Al Mheiri: Middle East at the heart of new climate reality

By Madeline Hart

An Atlantic Council conference on climate change and security in the Middle East brought together high-level officials from across the region to explore innovative solutions.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

MENASource

Oct 25, 2022

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is less than a month away. Qatar’s supposed labor reforms have done little to improve worker’s conditions.

By Madeline Hart

The workers responsible for making this event happen continue to face death and abuse each day, while risking deportation if they protest.

Human Rights
Middle East

MENASource

Oct 24, 2022

Truce or no truce: Transitional justice is Yemen’s only path to healing

By Hooria Mashhour

Yemen will not reach peace without a peace process that is based on human rights, gender equality, and transitional justice.

Human Rights
Middle East

In the News

Oct 21, 2022

Shapiro in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: The ASEAN Model – A Vision of Middle East Integration Beyond the Abraham Accords

By Atlantic Council

The summit of foreign ministers came together on relatively short notice. It was unstructured, informal, with little of the staff work or pre-negotiation that normally precedes such gatherings. The agenda was slim and general, and the outcome rather modest. But viewed through a historical scope, the results were transformational.

Israel
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2022

US missile defense can put a stop to the Middle East arms race

By Alex Elnagdy

Coupling missile-defense assistance with missile and bomb reductions can help the US break free of its short-sighted Middle East policies of the past.

Arms Control
Crisis Management
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Experts

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

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Millennium fellow

Sharif Abdelrazeq

Sustainability and Innovation Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

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
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