Featured commentary & analysis

Trump defends his foreign policy to the world at UNGA

MENASource Sep 24, 2024

Do the Houthis really have a hypersonic missile?

By Emily Milliken

The claim is concerning for more than just the high speeds; Hypersonic missiles are difficult for missile-defense systems to intercept.
Conflict Iran
Trump defends his foreign policy to the world at UNGA

MENASource Aug 22, 2024

Ensuring the UAE’s food security in an unstable region

By Hadi Fathallah

To safeguard its future, the UAE must urgently recalibrate its food security strategy while adapting to rapidly evolving global challenges.
Economy & Business Middle East
Trump defends his foreign policy to the world at UNGA

Report Aug 9, 2024

What attacks on shipping mean for the global maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

This report discusses the history of attacks on shipping, the rules implemented to keep shipping safe, and the new and serious threats posed by the Houthis and other actors. It also discusses steps Western governments and the shipping industry can take to reduce the harm posed by such attacks.
Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

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.

Listen

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

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2019

Trump defends his foreign policy to the world at UNGA

By David A. Wemer

Trump justified his vision for the United States' role in the world to the UNGA crowd. Here what Atlantic Council experts think it means.

China Iran

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2019

Rouhani’s plan a reason to be hopeful?

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Rouhani's proposal for peace will be rejected as outlandish, but it is a sign that Tehran may recognize that its attack on Abqaiq was an overstep.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Sep 22, 2019

Fontenrose joins Fox News to discuss US- Iran tensions following the Aramco attack

By Atlantic Council

Iran Saudi Arabia

Inflection Points

Sep 21, 2019

Trump’s Iran test: Nerves and vision

By Frederick Kempe

President Trump’s maximum pressure and Iran’s escalating responses have increased the risks of conflict. They have also brought a new chance of resolution that may become the most significant test yet of President Trump’s ability to transform his disruptive foreign policy into positive outcomes.

Defense Policy Economic Sanctions

In the News

Sep 20, 2019

Sultoon quoted in Reuters on Iran’s central bank sanctions

By Atlantic Council

Economic Sanctions Iran

In the News

Sep 20, 2019

Shaffer joins The John Bachelor Show to discuss Iran and Saudi Arabia

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Iran

IranSource

Sep 20, 2019

After Aramco attacks, China’s Middle East interests are at stake

By Jonathan Fulton

The attack on Saudi Arabia could be another factor that leads to a more robust approach to China protecting its Middle East interests.

China Iran

In the News

Sep 19, 2019

Dagres joins the Monocle to discuss tensions in the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Sep 19, 2019

Fontenrose quoted in CNN on Saudi oil attacks and U.S. action

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Middle East

In the News

Sep 19, 2019

Bechev in Foreign Policy: Putin is trolling the United States in the Persian Gulf

By Dimitar Bechev

In the wake of the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, the Russian president has positioned himself as a peacemaker. But continued conflict is his friend.

Conflict Russia
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Experts

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Khaled H. Alyemany

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism

Millennium fellow

Rumaitha Al Busaidi

Edward S. Mason Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Middle East

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy
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Events

Online Event Tue, May 20, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

Saudi Arabia in 2025: Vision 2030 progress update and US-Saudi relations
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Future of Work Inclusive Growth