Featured commentary & analysis

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

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

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

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.

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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

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

In the News

Sep 19, 2021

Fulton quoted in Financial Times on Gulf powers’ ties to Beijing

By Atlantic Council

China
Economy & Business
International Friendly - United Arab Emirates v Israel

Issue Brief

Aug 30, 2021

Pitching Abraham’s tent: The human dimension of UAE-Israeli normalization

By Yoel Guzansky, Shalom Lipner, Jonathan H. Ferziger, Sarah Feuer, Tomer Fadlon, Ari Heistein, Ebtesam Al Ketbi, and Noura Al Breiki

In the past year, many have written on the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, focusing on economic interests and emphasizing shared security interests in the region. Case studies, however, indicate that relations between countries are improved when they encompass aspects related to the lives of citizens. Incorporating an element of cultural affinity […]

Economy & Business
Israel

MENASource

Aug 27, 2021

Saudi Arabia is trying to make America jealous with its budding Russia ties

By Mark N. Katz

Moscow’s ongoing relationship with Tehran—which Russia will not give up for the sake of improved relations with the Kingdom—is likely to induce Riyadh to keep its improving ties with Moscow within bounds.

Europe & Eurasia
Middle East

MENASource

Aug 23, 2021

COVID-19 lockdown highlights policies to reduce pollution in Saudi Arabia

By Faisal Algosair and Abdulmohsen Almuhaisen

In March 2020, the Saudi government instituted a national lockdown for three months to prevent the proliferation of the coronavirus. These extraordinary circumstances provide the perfect experiment for policymakers and researchers to investigate whether daily human activities significantly affect pollution levels in an oil-exporting country like Saudi Arabia.

Energy & Environment
Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Eser Özdil

Nonresident Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Staff

Joze Pelayo

Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Policy, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Arabic Intelligence

Fellow

C. Anthony Pfaff

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Daryl G. Press

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Ali Bakir

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Conflict Defense Industry
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