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Saudi Arabia

What to Watch for in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit to Washington

What to Watch for in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit to Washington

EXPERT INTERVIEW — President Trump is welcoming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House today with an announcement that he plans to [...] More

Saudi ArabiaMiddle East

The Latest

What's at Stake in Biden's Push toward Saudi-Israeli Normalization?

What's at Stake in Biden's Push toward Saudi-Israeli Normalization?

SUBSCRIBER+EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — The Biden administration is reportedly taking serious steps to push forward with efforts to negotiate a deal that [...] More

Middle EastSaudi ArabiaIsraelReporting

Netanyahu: Israel’s Renowned Statesman Lost on the International Stage

Jason Brodsky

Netanyahu: Israel’s Renowned Statesman Lost on the International Stage

Ari Heistein

Netanyahu: Israel’s Renowned Statesman Lost on the International Stage

OPINION — Over the course of his many decades in Israeli politics, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earned a reputation as Israel’s premier [...] More

Alternative PerspectivesChinaSaudi ArabiaIsraelUnited States

Can Riyadh Leverage Failed Negotiations?

Ari Heistein

Can Riyadh Leverage Failed Negotiations?

OPINION — Two months ago, the Saudis took unprecedented public steps to show the Houthis (and the world) they were serious about ending their [...] More

Alternative PerspectivesIranSaudi ArabiaMiddle EastUnited StatesAlternative Perspectives

Saudi Arabia's Disengagement from Yemen Will Be Messy

Ari Heistein

Saudi Arabia's Disengagement from Yemen Will Be Messy

OPINION — The logic behind Saudi Arabia’s latest diplomatic maneuver was clear. Riyadh faced a major threat from the Iran-led axis, and when the U.S. [...] More

Alternative PerspectivesSaudi ArabiaMiddle EastAlternative Perspectives
Energy, Economics, and Investment in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Energy, Economics, and Investment in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

A Subscriber+ Virtual BriefingThursday, November 10, 1:30p ESTWith Norm Roule, Former National Intelligence Manager for Iran, ODNIMembers receive [...] More

Middle EastEconomicsSaudi Arabia

We Really Need to Fix the Saudi Problem

Marc Polymeropoulos

We Really Need to Fix the Saudi Problem

OPINION — In the annals of US history in the Middle East, there are few moments ingrained in the psyche of US government officials more important [...] More

Middle EastSaudi Arabia
Dynamics in the Middle East are Shifting, but in which Direction?

Dynamics in the Middle East are Shifting, but in which Direction?

The dynamics of the Middle East are changing. From a protracted pandemic to a rise in Chinese interest and influence in the region and a general [...] More

AsiaIranIsraelSaudi ArabiaMiddle EastEuropeReporting
Where Are Six Years of War in Yemen Going?

Where Are Six Years of War in Yemen Going?

EXPERT ANALYSIS — At a time when western officials are focusing their attention toward national security threats posed by China, the war in Yemen is [...] More

Middle EastIranSaudi Arabianational securitySecurity/StabilityReporting

How will Saudi Pro-Reform Activists Respond to Biden's Approach to MBS?

Emile Nakhleh

How will Saudi Pro-Reform Activists Respond to Biden's Approach to MBS?

Emile Nakhleh is a retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer and founding director of the CIA’s Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program [...] More

Middle EastEmile NakhlehSaudi Arabia
President Biden's Middle East: A Briefing with Norman Roule

President Biden's Middle East: A Briefing with Norman Roule

President Joe Biden’s administration is aiming its Middle East agenda on adhering to campaign promises, examining current policies and undoing some [...] More

Middle EastIranIntelligenceIsraelSaudi ArabiaIraqISISnational securitySecurity/StabilityReporting

An Activist, A Prison Sentence and the US-Saudi Special Relationship

Emile Nakhleh

An Activist, A Prison Sentence and the US-Saudi Special Relationship

Emile Nakhleh is a retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer and founding director of the CIA’s Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program [...] More

Middle EastEmile NakhlehSaudi Arabia

How Will a Biden Administration Engage the Middle East?

Emile Nakhleh

How Will a Biden Administration Engage the Middle East?

The Cipher Brief is a non-political media outlet focused on publishing expert perspectives on national security issues. We are committed to [...] More

Middle EastEmile NakhlehCipher Brief Expert ViewSecurity/StabilityIranPolicySaudi ArabiaIsraelSyriaIraqISIS