Featured commentary & analysis

Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation partner to launch Abraham Dialogues

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
Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation partner to launch Abraham Dialogues

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
Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation partner to launch Abraham Dialogues

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.

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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

Press Release

Apr 26, 2021

Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation partner to launch Abraham Dialogues

New project will build on normalization agreements to foster sustainable ties between Israel and Arab neighbors

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 25, 2021

Climate diplomacy can help turn action into results: UAE minister

By Larry Luxner

Al Jaber, the United Arab Emirates’ minister of industry and advanced technology, reflected on the connection between climate partnerships and economic results.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

MENASource

Apr 22, 2021

The Middle East needs a Levant-North African Environmental Forum

By Ariel Ezrahi

Political borders will continue to exist and limit what can and cannot be done across such borders. However, there needs to be less thinking on national terms and more on local and regional terms when combating climate change.

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

Apr 21, 2021

Khoury in the Arab Center: “Yemen’s Critical Moment”
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Apr 21, 2021

Russia in the Middle East: A source of stability or a pot-stirrer?

By Anna Borshchevskaya, Raed Wajeeh, Daniel Rakov, and Li-Chen Sim

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s Gulf tour in March exemplifies the complexity of Russian foreign policy in the region.

Israel Middle East

In the News

Apr 18, 2021

Ferziger and Sievers in Foreign Policy: “For Arab Israelis, the New Peace Treaties Spell Opportunity”
Israel Middle East

MENASource

Apr 15, 2021

Baby bottle coffee drinks and censorship: The ultimate guide to Arab TikTok

By Samantha Treiman

Although TikTok provides a platform for creative expression and political speech, repressive governments around the world attempt to censor users—and the Middle East is no exception. Those in charge are fearful of the app’s quick-sharing nature, which can allow anything from popular dances to government slander to spread rapidly.

Media Middle East

MENASource

Apr 9, 2021

Russia is friendly with the Houthis in Yemen. But it’s complicated.

By Mark N. Katz

Even though Moscow may not be militarily involved in Yemen does not mean that Russia is uninvolved.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Apr 6, 2021

The Abraham Accords hold the key to Biden’s East Med policy

By Matthew Zais

While motivated by the potential for a new Iran nuclear deal under the Biden administration, the Abraham Accords represent an unprecedented regional unification that was inconceivable just a few years ago. But it also represents an opportunity to continue America’s positive international energy diplomacy, and leadership in the East Med would be an ideal place to pick up the baton.

Middle East North Africa

TURKEYSource

Apr 5, 2021

The end of the Gulf rift may not signal the end of Turkey-Qatar relations

By Meliha Benli Altunışık

Early this year, changing regional power balances drove Qatar and the GCC bloc to a normalization agreement, almost four years after the imposition of an embargo on Qatar. During that time, Qatar and Turkey developed an increasingly close and multifaceted relationship. Although cutting military ties between Qatar and Turkey had been on the original list of demands issued by the Saudi led bloc, don't expect any in Turkey-Qatar relations.

Defense Industry Economic Sanctions
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Experts

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

Staff

Allison Minor

Director, N7 Research Institute

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Expert bio

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

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
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