Featured commentary & analysis

Navigating the Saudi road to success

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
Navigating the Saudi road to success

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
Navigating the Saudi road to success

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.

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

MENASource

Feb 7, 2018

Navigating the Saudi road to success

By Alex Damianou

In 2016, in the face of low oil prices and rapidly declining foreign reserves in an unsustainable, oil dependent rentier state, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was faced with two scenarios: an ‘Open Road’ where social and economic reform would transform the country into a diversified, moderate, and prosperous society; or the ‘Rocky Road’, […]

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Feb 3, 2018

Stein Quoted in the Atlantic on Yemen’s War

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here

Yemen

In the News

Feb 2, 2018

Khoury Joins ABC to Discuss Yemen’s Splitting Crisis

By Nabeel Khoury

Listen to the full discussion here

Yemen

In the News

Feb 1, 2018

Biberman in Perspectives on Terrorism: Terrorist Prison Breaks

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Extremism

Uncategorized

Jan 31, 2018

Khoury Joins Aljazeera to Discuss Yemen Crisis

By Nabeel Khoury

Yemen

MENASource

Jan 31, 2018

Big trouble in little Aden

By Sama'a Al-Hamdani

The city of Aden was ostensibly the only part of Yemen where post-conflict reconstruction was viable, especially since the area of the conflict has been declared a Houthi-free zone since July 22, 2015.  Subsequently, the residents of the city were seemingly united in that the majority are southern, Sunni, and anti-Houthi/Saleh. But now the conflict […]

Yemen

In the News

Jan 29, 2018

Stein Joins Defense One to Discuss the War in Yemen

By Aaron Stein

Listen to the full discussion here

Yemen

MENASource

Jan 25, 2018

After the Ritz Carlton crackdown, what’s next?

By Mohammed Alyahya

Last week it was reported that the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh would start taking reservations again on February 14, after months of serving as a detainment facility for Saudi elites accused of graft. In a dramatic blitz in the middle of a November night in Riyadh, Saudi security forces moved to detain dozens of powerful suspects […]

Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Jan 19, 2018

Saudi Crown Prince’s Power Consolidation Puts Vision 2030 Back on Track

By Cyril Widdershoven

The face of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is changing dramatically, due in no small part to the changes driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) as he works to consolidate power. While using unconventional means, the recent developments are part of a clear and well-thought-out strategy put in motion by MbS and his […]

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Jan 15, 2018

Stein Quoted in Marine Insight on the Attempted Remote-Control Boat Attack on Saudi-Flagged Oil Tanker

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here

Saudi Arabia Syria
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Experts

Fellow

Ali Bakir

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Conflict Defense Industry

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East