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DiplomacyGulf Cooperation Council, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States

2018 GCC Summit in Riyadh: An Uneasy Gathering

Vincent Lofaso

High-level delegations from six Gulf states met in the Saudi capital of Riyadh this December to discuss cooperation on issues ranging from economic to security matters. The summit occurred at…

Defense & SecurityAfghanistan, Qatar, Russia, Taliban, United States

The Political Ramifications of Trump’s Haste to Make Peace with the Taliban

Kambaiz Rafi

The same week NASA announced the successful landing of its probe InSight on Mars, violence erupted in Kabul, Afghanistan. A rogue militia commander’s arrest by government security forces triggered violent…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyEgypt, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States

What does Erdoğan want from the Jamal Khashoggi Murder?

Brandon Beardsley

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not known for soft rhetoric. Erdoğan confronted former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and accused him to his face of murdering children on the…

DiplomacyEuropean Union, Iran, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States

Is the Saudi-U.S. Alliance at a Tipping Point?

Cyril Widdershoven

The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi is threatening the close relationship between Washington and Riyadh. The government of Saudi Arabia has denied any knowledge of or involvement in the reported killing…

Defense & SecurityFrance, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States

Saudi Arabia Threatens Military Action if Qatar Purchases Russian S-400 Air Defense System

Joshua Ball

Saudi Arabia Seeks to Prevent Qatar from Buying the Russian S-400 Air Defense System. According to reports in the French newspaper Le Monde, Saudi Arabia has asked the government of France to…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyNorth Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United States

White House Signals Secretary of State Rex Tillerson May Be Replaced by CIA Director Mike Pompeo

Joshua Ball

The White House reportedly plans to replace Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson may have to resign by the beginning of…

Defense & SecurityIran, ISIS, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United States

The Race for Syria after the Islamic State

Udi Dekel

Increasing signs are pointing to the impending fall of the Islamic State in Syria, which has suffered a series of defeats in recent months. The territory in eastern Syria that…

EnergyHezbollah, Iran, Israel, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, United States, Yemen

Saudi Corruption Crackdown Could Permanently Boost Oil Prices

Cyril Widdershoven

The Middle East is heading for a major showdown if statements made by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and UAE’s minister of Foreign Affairs Gargash are to be…

Defense & SecurityChina, Energy, European Union, Foreign Policy, France, International Security, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Northern Africa, Oil, OPEC, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Converging Economic and Demographic Trends Threaten Security in the Middle East and North Africa

Joshua Ball

With oil prices unlikely to recover to levels of the petroleum boom governments may have to limit cash payments and subsidies. In the meantime, social networks have provided new tools…

Defense & SecurityEgypt, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Increased Sectarian Tensions in the Middle East as the Saudi-Iran Proxy War Heats Up

Joshua Ball

Security concerns in Saudi Arabia are on the rise. Tensions are increasing between the Shia-minority and the Kingdom's Sunni ruling class in the aftermath of the execution of Shiite cleric…