Promoting political integration  

The Project on Middle East Integration seeks to deepen cooperation between Abraham Accords countries while also exploring new pathways for more comprehensive political integration across the Middle East.

Meaningful integration in the Middle East requires confronting major political divides, establishing a platform for regular dialogue between policymakers, and fostering cultural acceptance and tolerance. When the Abraham Accords were signed in 2020, they unlocked enormous opportunities for advancing these goals and bridging the divide between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Now, stakeholders must continue to deepen the Abraham Accords while exploring new pathways for promoting more comprehensive political integration across the Middle East. The Atlantic Council’s Project on Middle East Integration is committed to serving as a thought leader and convening platform to help build these pathways.  

Reports

Promoting political integration  

Issue Brief Jan 29, 2026

Congress has championed the Abraham Accords. Here’s how it can push them forward.

By Adam Kozloski

This issue brief offers recommendations for Congress to reassert its leadership role in supporting the Abraham Accords.
Israel Middle East
Promoting political integration  

Issue Brief Sep 15, 2025

The Abraham Accords at five

By Allison Minor, Daniel B. Shapiro, Amir Hayek, Loay Alshareef, Ahmed Khuzaie, Sarah Zaaimi

On the fifth anniversary of the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel normalizing relations, American, Bahraini, Emirati, Israeli, and Moroccan authors reflect on the transformational change and “warm peace” envisioned by the Abraham Accords—a long-term, generational project.
Israel Middle East
Promoting political integration  

Issue Brief May 2, 2025

Saudi-Israeli normalization is still possible—if the United States plays it smart

By Dan Rothem

Saudi-Israeli normalization remains a potential game changer in Middle East geopolitics. It could reshape alliances, enhance security, and spur economic growth. But progress hinges on US diplomacy, Palestinian inclusion, and Saudi leadership.
Israel Middle East
Promoting political integration  

Issue Brief Aug 30, 2021

Pitching Abraham’s tent: The human dimension of UAE-Israeli normalization

By Yoel Guzansky, Shalom Lipner, Jonathan H. Ferziger, Sarah Feuer, Tomer Fadlon, Ari Heistein, Ebtesam Al Ketbi, and Noura Al Breiki

In the past year, many have written on the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab states, focusing on economic interests and emphasizing shared security interests in the region. Case studies, however, indicate that relations between countries are improved when they encompass aspects related to the lives of citizens. Incorporating an element of cultural affinity […]
Economy & Business Israel

Articles

Promoting political integration  

Inflection Points Dialogues May 20, 2026

UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash on the Iran war, the Abraham Accords, and Europe-Gulf cooperation

By Frederick Kempe

On the sidelines of the Europe Gulf Forum, Gargash shares his thoughts on the Iran war and its far-reaching consequences.
Conflict Energy & Environment
Promoting political integration  

Dispatches Feb 23, 2026

What I told Israeli lawmakers about reviving regional integration

By Daniel B. Shapiro

Careful implementation of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan and expanded regional integration can be mutually reinforcing.
Israel Middle East
Promoting political integration  

Dispatches Feb 17, 2026

Dispatch from Munich: Pursuing Middle East integration during a time of upheaval

By Allison Minor

The next year will provide an important opportunity to channel changes across the Middle East toward greater integration and stability.
Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Promoting political integration  

New Atlanticist Nov 17, 2025

As elections loom, can Netanyahu balance Trump, Mohammed bin Salman, and his political future?

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The Israeli prime minister’s preferred path to survive a treacherous election will be to show Israeli voters that he is advancing their country’s regional integration and staying within the US president’s embrace.
Israel Middle East
Promoting political integration  

Inflection Points Jun 24, 2025

Dispatch from The Hague: How Trump can build on his Middle East success with NATO

By Frederick Kempe

As the Alliance summit begins, the US president can already justifiably trumpet three major achievements in the Middle East. Will he add one more in Europe?
Conflict Europe & Eurasia
Promoting political integration  

Inflection Points Jun 14, 2025

Israel’s Iran strike provides a historic chance for Middle East realignment

By Frederick Kempe

History will remember this moment less for the Israeli strikes themselves and more for what follows.
Iran Israel
Promoting political integration  

Inflection Points Jan 15, 2025

Blinken’s audacious final message for the Middle East

By Frederick Kempe

The outgoing US secretary of state spoke at the Atlantic Council on January 14, carrying an important message for would-be pessimists about the Middle East.
Conflict Israel

Testimony Mar 9, 2023

Expanding the Abraham Accords: Testimony of Daniel B. Shapiro to the US House

By Daniel B. Shapiro

Normalization between Israel and its Arab neighbors has come a long way since the Abraham Accords were signed in 2020. But what comes next?
Israel Middle East
Promoting political integration  

Event Recap Sep 29, 2022

Two years since the Abraham Accords: How the region is transforming

By Yulia Shalomov, Mariah Smith

On September 8, the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs hosted a virtual eventon the second anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and regional neighbors.
Economy & Business Israel

AC Selects Feb 4, 2022

AC Selects: Ukraine’s strategic ally, revisiting the Abraham Accords, and the Navajo Nation energy crisis

Week of February 4, 2022 This week, The Atlantic Council in Turkey focused on the implications of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a NATO member while balancing complex ties with both sides. The Middle East Programs invited Barak Ravid to revisit the Abraham Accords, how it came to be, its legacy for the Middle East, and […]
Conflict Energy & Environment
Promoting political integration  

Inflection Points Sep 20, 2020

UAE, Bahrain deals with Israel offer the Mideast a historic chance for positive change—if the region will build upon it

By Frederick Kempe

These deals present the region its best opportunity perhaps ever to bury its bloody, self-defeating past and embrace moderation and modernity. Yet that will only be true if the parties can work with international partners to protect the so-called Abraham Accords Peace Agreement from extremist assault and from Israeli hardliners bent on territorial expansion.
Conflict International Norms
Promoting political integration  

Inflection Points Dec 13, 2020

Biden’s best chance for Mideast gains: go slow on Iran and build fast off the Abraham Accords

By Frederick Kempe

Imagine President-elect Biden standing before two doors that represent the Middle Eastern quandary he faces. One door is marked “Return to Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal.” The other is labeled “Build Upon Trump’s Abraham Accords.” As it is with most of these tales, there are perils in both paths.
Economy & Business Elections

Events & Engagements

June 20, 2025 Atlantic Council leads the first bipartisan congressional delegation on the Abraham Accords

Public Event Wed, September 18, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

Senator Joni Ernst on enhancing security and tech cooperation among N7 countries

Senator Joni Ernst joins the N7 Initiative for a fireside chat to discuss the LINK Act and AI Accords between the United States and its partners in the Middle East.

Israel Middle East Security & Defense Technology & Innovation

August 2025 Atlantic Council hosts a congressional staff delegation to the Middle East to discuss the future of Middle East integration

September 15, 2025 Lightstone roundtable

All Commentary & Analysis

Explore the program

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.

Learn more