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Saudi Arabia

Economics & TradeBahrain, Gulf Cooperation Council, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan

The Geopolitical Implications of Expanding Ties Between the Gulf and Central Asia

Dominic Pratt

Though the differences between the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and the cold steppes of Central Asia might be stark, the two regions do share some fundamental similarities. Both regions…

Defense & SecurityIran, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United States

The Next Middle East Conflict Could Emerge Out of a Cyber Clash

Ali Arfa

Pandora's Box of cyber warfare was opened when the United States and Israel initiated the Stuxnet attack on Iranian nuclear infrastructure in the summer of 2010. In response, Iran hit…

Defense & SecurityHezbollah, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Conflict and Competition in the Middle East Will Persist Throughout 2019

Vincent Lofaso

In previous years, interest in the Middle East was largely focused on ISIS (DAESH). This year, however, that focus will shift towards Iran. As the threat from the extremist Sunni…

Defense & SecurityIran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United States

What’s in an Iranian Drone’s Name?

Ali Arfa

Iranians are skilled in the localization of almost anything Western or foreign. This is partly because of the nationalist, anti-imperialist promises of the 1979 revolution, and partly due to U.S.…

Government & PoliticsAfghanistan, India, Iran, Middle East, NATO, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United States

The Politics of Ballots over Bullets: Afghan Elections and Peace Process

Tamim Asey

The electoral scene is set for the Afghan presidential elections. Eighteen candidates have registered themselves for what is ultimately expected to be a tight race between the incumbent, President Ashraf…

Defense & SecurityAfghanistan, India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States

Iran’s Interests in Afghanistan: Water, Black Market Currency, & Extremism

Ejaz Ahmad Malikzada

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently visited Kabul to discuss recent efforts towards peace in Afghanistan. Though the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs hasn’t provided any details of the…

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…

DiplomacyIran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Nations, Yemen

Time for the U.S. to Act on Yemen as Negotiations Begin in Sweden

Jamie Gadowski

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen deteriorates by the day. Approximately twenty-two million civilians require immediate aid, 1.2 million cases of cholera have been reported, and 8.4 million are experiencing severe food insecurity. The…

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 & SecurityIran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States, Yemen

Is the U.S.-Saudi Partnership in Yemen Strengthening Al-Qaeda?

Alexandra Gilliard

In 2015, Yemen's civil war evolved into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Both powers are vying for regional hegemony as Iran seeks a foothold in the Arabian…

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…