Middle East Programs Commentary & Analysis

Our blogs feature thoughtful reflections and opinions on current events in the Middle East & North Africa.

Through our Middle East Programs, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

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Meet our blogs

MENASource

MENASource follows movements across the region and provides news and analysis on current events, including a platform for Middle Eastern perspectives, among others, on major issues—economic, political, security, cultural—that are at stake in the post-Arab Spring era.  

IranSource

IranSource provides a holistic look at Iran’s internal dynamics, global and regional policies, and posture through unique analysis of current events and long-term, strategic issues related to Iran.

All commentary & analysis

MENASource

Aug 31, 2026

Jordan’s military deterrence has collapsed 

By Aaron Magid

Jordan continues to absorb attacks from Iran without firing back.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Aug 31, 2026

The Iran war is no Vietnam. But it may become an economic quagmire for the Gulf.

By Kurt Davis Jr.

Five costs related to the Iran war are compounding across the Gulf and its trading partners, and none will be eliminated soon.

Economy & Business Iran

Podcast

Aug 28, 2026

Satan’s Chariot: Mercenary Trouble in Mali

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 17 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi chats to Wassim Nasr, the veteran French journalist for France24 and Senior Fellow at the Soufan Center. Wassim talks us through the spectacular April 25th offensive across Mali by JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate that looks set to soon make a play to take over the whole country.

Africa Middle East

MENASource

Aug 20, 2026

With war in the region, Egypt must recalibrate its energy policy

By Nour Taha

Egypt needs a two-track strategy, accelerating its green energy buildout while managing its natural gas reserves for sustained output.

Crisis Management Egypt

MENASource

Aug 20, 2026

The global munitions crisis requires Foreign Military Sales reform

By R. Clarke Cooper

There are steps the Trump administration can take now to speed up defense sales, supporting both parter countries and the US defense industrial base.

Conflict Defense Industry

MENASource

Aug 11, 2026

Israel cannot afford to miss the IMEC moment

By Samantha Sutton

For the next Israeli government, the economic gains of investing in the corridor are worth the political costs.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Aug 8, 2026

The GCC’s wartime borrowing machine is helping counter the Iran war

By Eric Fine

An experienced investor in emerging market debt answers seven burning questions about GCC debt and borrowing.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

MENASource

Aug 4, 2026

هل يتمكن الزيدي من فصل الدولة عن الطائفة؟

By Munqith Dagher

منقذ داغر ليس خافياً تأثير ما يجري في الجوار العراقي على السياسة والمجتمع والاقتصاد فيه. وعلى الرغم من ان التغيرات التي حصلت في المنطقة بعد أكتوبر 2023 انعكست على العراق بطريقة او بأخرى، الا ان التأثير الأكبر على سياسته سيظهر نتيجة تداعيات ما بعد 28 فبراير(شباط)2026 والتي تتكشف يوماً بعد الآخر. لقد أدى اغتيال السيد […]

Arabic Conflict

Testimony

Aug 4, 2026

Daniel B. Shapiro testifies to House Foreign Affairs Committee on wartime prospects for regional integration

By Daniel B. Shapiro

Shapiro testified to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa at a hearing titled, “Building a New Regional Security Architecture: The Next Phase of the Abraham Accords."

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Aug 3, 2026

Can al-Zaidi separate the sects from the state in Iraq?

By Munqith Dagher

The biggest challenge facing Iraq's prime minister is how to curb the role of sectarian institutions in shaping Iraq's state decisions.

Conflict Iran
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