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

Report

Mar 16, 2022

Great power projection in the Middle East: The China-Russia relationship as a force multiplier

By Jonathan Fulton and Li-Chen Sim

The conflict is also likely to provide states in the MENA region, especially oil producing states, with greater leverage over the US and Western allies. The US designation of Qatar as a major non-NATO ally in January 2022 could be seen from this perspective

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2022

Iran deal or not, Gulf nations need integrated air and missile defense 

By the Atlantic Council’s Gulf Security Task Force

Nuclear talks aside, a US-backed missile defense system is key in deterring Iran’s regional armed network while advancing US and Gulf security aims.

Defense Technologies Iran

China-MENA Podcast

Mar 15, 2022

Chinese Community Building in the Middle East: Chinese in Dubai

By Atlantic Council

Yuting Wang joins the China-MENA podcast to discuss Chinese Community Building in the Middle East: Chinese in Dubai

China Economy & Business

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Katz joins Gulf International Forum to discuss how the war in Ukraine affects the Gulf

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

Mar 8, 2022

Katz joins the Gulf International Forum to discuss the implications of Ukraine crisis on the Gulf region

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Conflict

MENASource

Mar 7, 2022

Turkey and the UAE are getting close again. But why now?

By Amjad Ahmad, Defne Arslan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s February 14 visit to the UAE indicates that rapprochement is well underway. Strategic and economic factors are behind this shift and many benefits can come from closer ties.

Economy & Business Middle East

In the News

Mar 7, 2022

Middle East Program’s event with the Abraham Accords Caucus was mentioned in Politico National Security Daily

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Disinformation

MENASource

Mar 4, 2022

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impacts the Middle East too

By Bat Chen Druyan Feldman and Joze Pelayo

Together with Russia's strategic importance to Iran, this anti-American approach, which is very prominent in Iranian leadership and affects its foreign policy, will continue to play an essential role in the Iranian reaction to the war in Ukraine.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

Khoury in the Arab Center Washington DC: Yemen: The Failure of International Diplomacy

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Corruption

In the News

Mar 3, 2022

empowerME’s event on fintech’s influence in MENA was featured in Al-Monitor

By Atlantic Council

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

Experts