Program Related Publication Feeds

Saudi Stability in a Time of Change

mentman — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The MENA region has begun a process of political change and turmoil that will take years to play out, and which could destabilize some MENA countries for a decade or more as a worst case. There is a tangible risk that Saudi Arabia will be affected in the short term, and it will take continued leadership and vision for Saudi Arab to deal with its longer-term internal challenges.

U.S. Strategy in the Gulf

ian — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

During the course of the next year, the US must fundamentally reshape its strategy and force posture for the Gulf. This involves challenges which would require it to decide on how to restructure its entire force posture in the Gulf as it leaves Iraq, and deal with steadily increasing strategic competition with Iran.

Understanding Saudi Stability and Instability: A Very Different Nation

mentman — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Saudi Arabia is scarcely immune to protest and dissent, and has long struggled with the challenges of reform. What is most striking about the Kingdom over the past weeks of crisis, however, has been the lack of any major challenge to government and the way it functions

GCC Security, Risk Assessment, and U.S. Extended Deterrence

sherry — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Burke chair has just published a new report entitled “GCC Security, Risk Assessment, and US Extended Deterrence” which is available on the CSIS web site at http://csis.org/files/publication/110202_GCC_Secur_US_Extended_Deter.pdf.

U.S. and Iranian Strategic Competition

amausner — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The current strategic landscape in the Gulf is shaped by a competition between Iran, Iraq, the US, and the individual Southern Gulf states for influence in the military, political, and economic realms. Iran is making broad efforts to expand its influence over the entire Gulf, as well as to deter US military action, reduce US influence, and establish itself as the dominant power in the reg

The Saudi Arms Sale

amausner — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The Department of Defense has proposed a new series of arms transfers to Saudi Arabia whose cost could eventually total up to $60 billion. A new analysis by the Burke Chair indicates that these transfers serve the vital national security interest of both nations. This analysis is entitled The Saudi Arms Sale: Reinforcing a Strategic Partnership in the Gulf.

Iran, Iraq, and the Changing Face of Defense Cooperation in the Gulf

amausner — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The Southern Gulf states, the region, and the US all face a rapidly changing threat environment in the Gulf, and a sharply rising need for defense cooperation. These needs, and the changes in threat and military balance that shape them, are described in detail in a new analysis developed by the Arleigh A.

U.S.-Saudi Security Cooperation and the Impact of U.S. Arms Sales

mentman — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

U.S.-Saudi security cooperation is becoming steadily more important as Iran expands its capabilities for asymmetric warfare in the Gulf, increases its long-range missile forces, and moves toward a capability to build and deploy nuclear weapons.

The New Saudi Arms Deal

amausner — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400

One of the most critical strategic decisions the US will have to make over the next few years is how to reshape its security posture in the Gulf and the Middle East as it fully withdraws from Iraq. There is no possible “end state” to the US presence in the Gulf, or an end to the need for the strongest possible US security ties to friendly states in the region.

The Arab-Israeli Military Balance in 2010

amausner — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Major changes are taking place in the Arab-Israeli military balance.

Saudi Arabia and Gulf Security

ian — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The US has not yet defined how it will change its position in the Gulf, or the role of USCENTCOM, once it withdraws from Iraq. It is clear, however, that the Gulf will remain both a critical and a highly unstable region.

The Gulf Military Balance in 2010: An Overview

amausner — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Much of the current focus on the Gulf concentrates largely on Iran’s efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. This, however, is only part of the regional military balance. Changes are also taking place in the conventional military balance and in the balance of capabilities for asymmetric warfare.

Gulf Threats, Risks and Vulnerabilities

amausner — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

While much of the world has focused on Iran’s missile developments, and possible nuclear capabilities, this is only one of the risks that threaten the flow of petroleum products from the Gulf – a region with some 60% of the world’s proven conventional oil reserves and 40% of its natural gas.

GCC - Iran: Operational Analysis of Air, SAM and TBM Forces

amausner — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently stated that the U.S. will not allow the Gulf Region to be dominated by a hegemonic Iran, and that an Iran in possession of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. If Iran continues to pursue a nuclear weapon program then the U.S. will likely arm its allies in the region, extending a defense umbrella over the Gulf.

Saudi Energy Security: A Global Security Perspective

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

The Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric War: Saudi Arabia

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Meeting the Challenge of a Fragmented Iraq: A Saudi Perspective

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400

A report by Nawaf Obaid, an Adjunct Fellow at CSIS, gives a Saudi perspective to the insurgency in Iraq. The report analyzes the fear of fragmentation of Iraq and its implication to the Saudi national security.

The Impact of the Abqaiq Attack on Saudi Energy Security

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Khalid al-Rodhan, a visiting fellow at CSIS, has published an analysis of last week’s terrorist attack on a major Saudi oil facility in Abqaiq and what it means for world oil prices.

The Saudi and Gulf Stock Markets: Irrational Exuberance or Markets Efficiency?

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400

The Gulf States are experiencing unprecedented growth in their economies and stock markets. The hope is that this growth is based on real economic growth, sound market fundamentals, and realistic economic policies.

Saudi Arabia's Upstream and Downstream Expansion Plans for the Next Decade: A Saudi Perspective

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0400

Much is being said and written about Saudi oil production and export capabilities and plans that pay little attention to the details of Saudi plans.

Saudi Arabia's Sustainable Capacity and Security Issues

Tue, 27 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400

The center of the Muslim world: As the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Saudi Arabia plays an unparalleled religious role for the world’s Muslims.

Saudi Militants in Iraq: Assessment and Kingdom's Response

Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400

National Security in Saudi Arabia

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0400

With continuing instability in Iraq, the threat of a nuclear Iran, and the ever-present reality of further terrorist attacks within its own borders, Saudi Arabia has been forced to make some hard decisions with regard to the structure of its security apparatus, as well as dealing with economic and demographic threats.

Saudi Economics and Saudi Stability: The Facts Behind the Speculation

Thu, 04 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0400

Saudi Arabia's 'Sustainable' Capacity and Global Energy Supply and Demand

Wed, 04 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400

Global Energy Demand and Capacity Building in Saudi Arabia's Petroleum Sector

Mon, 02 May 2005 00:00:00 -0400

In these estimates, and virtually every other major forecast, Saudi Arabia is a key petroleum exporter and central to a steadily more interdependent global economy. Saudi Arabia is also the only oil producer that has consistently sought to maintain surplus oil production capacity, with a nominal goal of 2 million bpd. This situation will not change in the foreseeable future.

Saudi Counter Terrorism Efforts: The Changing Paramilitary and Domestic Security Apparatus

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0500

Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0500

Asymmetric Threats and Islamist Extremists

Saudi Petroleum Security

Tue, 30 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0500

Saudi National Security: Military and Security Services Challenges & Developments

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 00:00:00 -0400

Saudi Military Forces and Development: Challenges & Reforms

Sun, 30 May 2004 00:00:00 -0400

Saudi Internal Security: A Risk Assessment

Tue, 04 May 2004 00:00:00 -0400

Ten Reasons for Reforging US and Saudi Relations

Fri, 30 Jan 2004 00:00:00 -0500

Iraq War Note: Saudi Redeployment of the F-15 to Tabuk

Fri, 31 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0500

Saudi Arabia and the Challenge of Terrorism: Reacting to the '9/11 Report'

Sun, 03 Aug 2003 00:00:00 -0400

Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century (vol. 2)

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 00:00:00 -0500

With the continuing importance of Saudi Arabia in regional and world politics, the current and future effectiveness of the Saudi military carries increased significance. Despite recent strains in relations with the United States, particularly in light of the role Saudis played in the events of September 11, 2001, the Kingdom remains America's key Arab ally.

Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century (vol. 1)

Tue, 01 Apr 2003 00:00:00 -0500

With the eyes of the world carefully monitoring tensions in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has increasingly found itself at the center of political scrutiny in its internal and external relations. With its military capabilities largely dependent on the United States and other Western forces, Saudi Arabia cannot concentrate on internal change at the expense of external security.

The Prospects for Stability in Saudi Arabia in 2004

Wed, 19 Feb 2003 00:00:00 -0500

Saudi Arabia Enters The 21st Century: IV. Opposition and Islamic Extremism

Tue, 31 Dec 2002 00:00:00 -0500

Chapter from the Final Review copy of Dr. Cordesman's book Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century (vol. 1)

A 63-page study of the challenges posed by opposition movements and Islamic extremists.

Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century: The Military and Internal Security Dimension IX. Saudi Paramilitary and Internal Security

Thu, 19 Dec 2002 00:00:00 -0500

Chapter from the Final Review draft of Dr. Cordesman's book Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century (vol. 2)

A 55-page analysis of the structure and effectiveness of Saudi internal security forces and the role of the Saudi legal system in enforcing internal security.

Saudi Arabia Enters The 21st Century: V. Economic, Demographic, and Social Challenges

Tue, 03 Dec 2002 00:00:00 -0500

Chapter from the Final Review copy of Dr. Cordesman's book Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century (vol. 1)

Saudi Arabia Enters The 21st Century: VI. Building True Wealth Versus Over-dependence on Petroleum and the State

Mon, 02 Dec 2002 00:00:00 -0500

Chapter from the Final Review copy of Dr. Cordesman's book Saudi Arabia Enters the 21st Century (vol. 1)

Saudi Arabia Enters The 21st Century: I. Introduction