Featured commentary & analysis

The Saudi Public Investment Fund: The emerging financial vehicle behind Vision 2030

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
The Saudi Public Investment Fund: The emerging financial vehicle behind Vision 2030

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
The Saudi Public Investment Fund: The emerging financial vehicle behind Vision 2030

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

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 30, 2018

The Saudi Public Investment Fund: The emerging financial vehicle behind Vision 2030

By Phillip Cornell

The $230 billion Public Investment Fund (PIF) is emerging as the central financial vehicle to consolidate and then exercise Saudi Arabian economic power in the service of goals outlined by the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS). Its role in Saudi economic diversification makes the PIF the critical organ for realizing Vision 2030, and its […]

Energy & Environment
Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Mar 28, 2018

Here’s What Happened During the Saudi Crown Prince’s International Debut

By Kristian Coates Ulrichsen

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States, following on the heels of his trips to the United Kingdom and Egypt, marks his debut on the international stage as the king-in-waiting of a country he could rule for decades. In the United Kingdom and now in the United States, the crown prince, […]

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 22, 2018

Khoury Quoted in Arab News on a Resolution on Yemen’s Civil War

By Nabeel Khoury

Read the full article here

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2018

A Renewed Foresight in Middle Eastern Diplomacy: India’s Role at the Table

By Rachel Brandenburg and Bharath Gopalaswamy

Recent aviation agreements connecting Saudi Arabia, India, and Israel signal potential openness toward improving relations in light of growing geopolitical and security concerns. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on March 7 that Saudi Arabia granted permission to Air India to use Saudi airspace for direct flights from Delhi to Tel Aviv, affirming allegations leaked in Israeli […]

India
Israel

New Atlanticist

Mar 21, 2018

The War in Yemen: No End in Sight

By Rachel Ansley

US President Donald J. Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s shared animosity toward Iran is apparently getting in the way of ending the war in Yemen that has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and put millions more on the brink of starvation. While Yemen was very much on the agenda when […]

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 21, 2018

Charai in Gatestone Institute: What the Saudi Prince’s Visit Really Means

By Atlantic Council

International Norms
Middle East

In the News

Mar 20, 2018

Khoury Joins Bloomberg to Discuss the Meeting Between Saudi Arabian Prince and Donald Trump

By Nabeel Khoury

Watch the full discussion here

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 20, 2018

Seznec Quoted in TIME on Energy Reform in Saudi Arabia

By Jean-François Seznec

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Mar 20, 2018

LeBaron in AXIOS: Hailed For Bold Reforms, Saudi Crown Prince May Still Fall Short

By Richard LeBaron

Read the full article here

Saudi Arabia

EnergySource

Mar 20, 2018

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: Key electric power decisions ahead

By Robert F. Ichord

Bilateral and global energy issues are front and center as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, arrives in the United States. While the biggest focus might be on Saudi Arabia’s vital role as the world’s largest crude oil exporter and the impact that growing US oil production and market influence are having […]

Energy Markets & Governance
Energy Transitions
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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

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Fellow

Yerevan Saeed

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Samir Altaqi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East
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