Featured commentary & analysis

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.

Programs

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.

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Content

Event Recap

Nov 8, 2021

Top women execs on leading “deliberate” organizational change, fostering diversity and inclusion, and coping with challenges

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

On November 2, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on “Women in senior management: Masterclass in leadership.”

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

Nov 7, 2021

Special Report: Three lessons from Riyadh and Glasgow, as climate change collides with an energy shock

By Frederick Kempe

The world is experiencing more energy transition than revolution, climate adaptation is critical, and politics will indelibly shape the energy future.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Nov 1, 2021

The net-zero kingdom: A third way

By Andrea Clabough

Released to great fanfare, Saudi Arabia's new green pledges represent an attempt to build a clean future on the bedrock of fossil fuels. The viability of that approach is far from certain.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Event Recap

Oct 29, 2021

FinTech in MENA: How to build an ecosystem that promotes innovation and regulation

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

The Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative in partnership with ABANA is convening a virtual event series to shed light on the changing FinTech landscape in the MENA region, identify challenges and opportunities, and explore policy recommendations.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Oct 28, 2021

Iran’s drones are a buzzing menace for Saudi Arabia

By Ilan Zalayat

The small but sophisticated Iranian-made armed drones have undercut the security balance in the Gulf region and the Arabian Peninsula over the past few years, ushering in a novel asymmetrical menace.

Iran Middle East

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

Experts