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

MENASource

Oct 25, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation benefits the UAE too

By Omar Al-Ubaydli

While many commentators have been keen to interpret Saudi Arabia’s attempts to transform Riyadh into the Middle East’s economic capital as a threat to the economic interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a more nuanced analysis suggests something akin to a rising tide that will lift all boats.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Oct 18, 2021

New opportunities for MENA women to plug into global commerce

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on “Women in the global supply chain: The importance of increasing women's access.”

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

In the News

Oct 14, 2021

The Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation’s N7 Summit mentioned in the Jewish Insider

The two-day conference that ended on Wednesday, named N7 — N for normalization and 7 for the number of participating countries —  was hosted by the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation and the Atlantic Council, the culmination of six months of planning. 

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Oct 14, 2021

Atlantic Council mentioned in Jewish Insider on the N7 conference in the United Arab Emirates

By Atlantic Council

International Organizations Israel

In the News

Oct 13, 2021

Atlantic Council mentioned in Washington Post on the N7 conference in the United Arab Emirates

By Atlantic Council

International Organizations Israel

TURKEYSource

Oct 12, 2021

Turkey has flipped the script on its regional isolation. But will it amount to real change?

By Karel Valansi

Over the past year, Turkey has launched efforts to normalize its strained relations with several states in the Middle East. While the countries have successfully managed to de-escalate tensions, doubts remain as to how far the efforts will lead.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Oct 2, 2021

Fontenrose joins Alhurra to discuss future relations between US and Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 23, 2021

What the Arab Gulf is thinking after the Afghanistan withdrawal

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Three Gulf heavyweights are calculating what they stand to gain—or lose—in their relationship with the United States.

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 23, 2021

Ahmad joins the Gulf International Forum to discuss: The Afghanistan Conundrum: Where does the Gulf Stand?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

MENASource

Sep 20, 2021

‘Investing in women is just good business’: Ways to increase funding for women-led ventures in the Middle East

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

On September 14, 2021 the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on “Venture Capital Financing: How to Increase Funding for Women-led Ventures."

Middle East The Gulf

Experts