Product Types: Commentary

Commentary

Why Saudi Military Superiority Has Not Defeated the Houthis

The Houthis have combined low-cost weapons, Iranian technical help, a resilient domestic base, and a divided adversary to create leverage far beyond
October 13, 2026
Kristian Alexander
Commentary

Made in the Gulf, Designed in America: How the Iran War Has Incentivized Drone Production in the GCC

American firms are increasingly meeting the demand for drones by producing or co-producing them in the Gulf rather than exporting finished systems.
October 2, 2026
Francesco Salesio Schiavi
Commentary

The Orphan of the Summit of the Future: The Declaration on Future Generations

Budget cuts shelved the UN’s Special Envoy for Future Generations. Double-hatting, donor funding, or the next Secretary-General could revive it.
September 30, 2026
Alice McCarthy
Commentary

Experts React: Takeaways from the Trump-Xi Summit

Stimson experts analyze what the Trump-Xi summit means for the future of US-China relations
September 28, 2026
Yun Sun
Commentary

Kabuki Diplomacy Between US and Iran at UNGA

An indirect interaction between U.S. and Iranian negotiators seems unlikely to end the war anytime soon.
September 25, 2026
Barbara Slavin
Commentary

Is the Iran War Worth It? Six Months Later, Still No

The conflict has delivered few durable gains for U.S. security while generating mounting military, economic, and humanitarian costs.
September 22, 2026
Michael Cohen
Commentary

Why Iran-Backed Iraqi Armed Groups Are Hedging on Disarmament

From Tehran’s perspective, the legal and administrative integration of Iraqi armed groups may be acceptable, but eliminating their independent operational capabilities would
September 22, 2026
Javad Heiran-Nia
Commentary

9 Issues to Watch at UNGA 81

Stimson Center experts offer their thoughts on the major topics ahead of this year's UNGA 81 High-Level Week.
September 18, 2026
Richard Ponzio
Commentary

Why the Houthi Capture of Mocha Matters Far Beyond Yemen

Saudi Arabia and the United States each expected the other to stop the Houthis, and neither did.
September 16, 2026
Fatima Abo Alasrar
Commentary

Nuclear Disruption: The US-Saudi 123 Agreement and the Future of Nuclear Cooperation in the Middle East

A closer look at how the US-Saudi nuclear deal could reshape enrichment, safeguards, commercial competition, and Middle East security.
September 14, 2026
Cindy Vestergaard
Commentary

The Nation Is Not Alone. We Need Reflexive Multilateralism

National governments struggle to govern sustainably; subnational authorities can help fill the gap.
September 11, 2026
Emmanuel Ikennna Ohiri
Commentary

“No, History Begins Today”: Why Washington Could Not Reshape Pakistan’s Interests After 9/11

This article explains the fundamental misalignment in U.S. and Pakistani interests after 9/11 and the toll it took on their partnership in
September 10, 2026
David Smith
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