A Path of Cooperation and Opportunity Between the U.S. and the UAE
The impressive string of world leaders visiting the UAE following the recent death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, made clear that the UAE plays an […] More
UAE
UAE-Israel deal serves bilateral relations, not larger issues
Cipher Brief Expert Emile Nakhleh is a retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer and founding director of the CIA’s Political Islam Strategic Analysis Program Office. Nakhleh […] More
A Raw Deal for the Palestinians
Cipher Brief Expert Marc Polymeropoulos served 26 years in the CIA before retiring from the Senior Intelligence Service in June 2019. His positions included field […] More
Giving due credit for the agreement between Israel and the UAE
Dr. Kenneth Dekleva served as a Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist (including 5 years at the U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russian Federation) with the U.S. Dept. of State […] More
The Latest
One Foot In, One Foot Out: The Muddled U.S. Approach to the Middle East
Bottom Line Up Front The United States recently announced plans to remove two Patriot anti-missile systems from Saudi Arabia, which could be accompanied by […] More
Instability in Southern Yemen Exposes Rift Between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi
Bottom Line Up Front In late April, Emirati-supported separatists in southern Yemen declared self-administration, demonstrating further strains in the Saudi Coalition and a growing […] More
Saudi Arabia Declares Yemen Cease-Fire Amidst Growing Domestic Issues
Bottom Line Up Front Saudi Arabia announced a unilateral cease-fire in Yemen amidst growing concerns over the spreading coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia’s scorched earth […] More
Geopolitical Fallout from the U.S.-Taliban Deal in Afghanistan
Bottom Line Up Front There are still questions surrounding the recent U.S.-Taliban agreement, including how Washington can pressure the Taliban to fulfill the key […] More
No Progress in Yemen
Bottom Line Up Front The latest attack by Houthi rebels against Saudi oil and gas infrastructure involved ten drones equipped with improvised explosives. The […] More
Against All Odds: Democratic Progress in Sudan
Bottom Line Up Front In a region where popular democratic revolutions have repeatedly been marginalized or crushed through force, Sudan appears to be on […] More
Maritime Security in the Gulf
Bottom Line Up Front Amidst escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, officials from the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) recently met with their counterparts in […] More
Proxy Conflict in Yemen and the Battle for Aden
Bottom Line Up Front The situation in Yemen continues to devolve into anarchy, with Emirati-trained forces battling troops from the Saudi-supported internationally recognized government. […] More
Saudi Arabia Forced to Fight its Own War in Yemen
The withdrawal of UAE troops from the disastrous war in Yemen is forcing Saudi Arabia to shoulder more of its own burden. There is […] More
Playing a Dangerous Game: External Support to Civil Wars & Insurgencies
Bottom Line Up Front The United Arab Emirates has dumped weapons into conflict zones throughout the Middle East. Given how unstable the situation in […] More
A Political Breakthrough in Sudan?
Bottom Line Up Front Following months of fighting, Sudan’s current ruling military government and the political opposition have forged a power-sharing agreement. What happens […] More
Libya: Spiraling Further Downward
Bottom Line Up Front On July 5, the U.N. Security Council issued a statement condemning an airstrike on a migrant detention camp in Libya […] More
Abu Dhabi Looks to Separate from Riyadh’s Disastrous Policies
Bottom Line Up Front While the UAE is a close ally of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi is now seeking to distance itself from Riyadh […] More
Sudan Protests Gain Momentum and Are Met With More Bloodshed
Bottom Line Up Front Pro-democracy protesters in Sudan reemerged in full force to demand a transition to a civilian-led government; demonstrations were met with […] More
Houthi Rebels Step Up Attacks Against Saudi Arabia
Bottom Line Up Front Since April, Houthi rebels have conducted at least ten separate missile or drone strikes on Saudi targets, including airports, oil […] More