With curated multimedia series focused on hard hitting issues such climate change as well as current events, MENASource seeks to explore all facets of life in the region as affected by political, security, economic, and cultural issues.

Of particular focus and interest are the minorities, women, and the youth populations across the region and how they are affected by the changing environments.

The views expressed in MENASource are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.

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Strategic Lessons from the Ejection of ISIS from Sirte

New Atlanticist
Jun 12, 2025

Experts react: Israel just attacked Iran’s military and nuclear sites. What’s next?

Our experts shed light on Israel’s major attack against Iran targeting its nuclear facilities and its implications for the region.

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Strategic Lessons from the Ejection of ISIS from Sirte

MENASource
Jun 13, 2025

China’s basing quest in the Gulf: Pipe dream or strategic reality?

By
Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco

While the Gulf remains central to China’s long-term maritime aspirations, its near-term military footprint is likely to stay limited.

China
Maritime Security

Strategic Lessons from the Ejection of ISIS from Sirte

MENASource
Jun 10, 2025

Why DDR programs are the missing link to Syrian stability

By
Muhsen al-Mustafa

With the end of Western sanctions, Syria faces a rare opportunity to address the imbalances of the post-conflict period.

Middle East
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

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Content

MENASource

May 16, 2017

Strategic Lessons from the Ejection of ISIS from Sirte

By Dr Alia Brahimi and Jason Pack

Though accompanied by curiously little fanfare, the Obama administration’s most significant victory against the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) came not in Iraq or Syria, but in Libya. After eight months of fighting, the coastal city of Sirte was ‘liberated’ in December 2016, by a coalition of forces allied to the UN-backed government in Tripoli.

Libya

MENASource

May 15, 2017

Turkey’s Post-Referendum Economy

By Merve Hande Akmehmet

Throughout the referendum campaign, President Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) promised to move the economy back to the top of their agenda. This was easier said than done, as the field dynamics changed drastically from 2002. During the AKP’s first twelve years of governing, Turkey was a strong EU candidate, with better […]

Turkey

MENASource

May 11, 2017

Progress on Gender Equality in the Gulf but More Must Be Done

By MENASource

As the wealth of Arab states in the Gulf has increased over the past few decades, there has been a dramatic rise in parity between the education levels of men and women, with more women entering institutes of higher education, studying in Western countries, and entering the workforce, according to women leaders from the Gulf […]

MENASource

May 10, 2017

Factbox: Algeria’s Parliamentary Election

By Elissa Miller and Husayn Hosoda

On May 4th, Algerians went to the polls to cast their ballots in the country’s parliamentary elections. The ruling coalition of the National Liberation Front or Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) and the National Rally for Democracy (RND) emerged victorious, respectively winning 164 and ninety-seven of the 462 seats in the national assembly.

North Africa

MENASource

May 9, 2017

After ISIS the US Will Still Have a Role in Iraq—But Does It Care Enough to Play It?

By Feras Hanoush

The fight against ISIS in Iraq is in full swing. Despite the costly human errors that caused the death of hundreds of Mosul residents, the offensive forces continue to make progress, having managed during the past months to isolate, besiege, and take control of over 60 percent of the city.

Iraq

MENASource

May 3, 2017

Conflict Flares Between Sinai Tribes and the Islamic State

By Ahmed Zaghloul Shallata

Recent clashes occurred in the south of Rafah between fighters loyal to Wilayat Sinai––previously known as Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which joined the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) in 2014––and the Tarabin tribe. This follows a militant attack on April 17 against a truck belonging to a Tarabin tribesman as it carried cigarettes towards Gaza. After […]

North Africa

MENASource

May 3, 2017

The Yemen War, Media, and Propaganda

By Afrah Nasser

Yemeni media is one of the most affected aspects in the raging war in Yemen. In an unprecedented case, a Houthi-controlled court issued a death sentence earlier in April, against journalist Yahya al-Joubayhy, for being a “Saudi spy,” reflecting a glimpse of the risks Yemeni media workers endure.

Yemen

MENASource

May 2, 2017

Can Tunisia’s Government Make Necessary Reforms in the Face of Popular Demonstrations?

By Elissa Miller

Last summer, Tunisia’s parliament ousted former Prime Minister Habib Essid, a vote of no-confidence, as President Beji Caid Essebsi announced his intent to form a new unity government. He appointed Youssef Chahed, a little known young technocrat, to replace Essid. Chahed was presented as a fresh-faced, “courageous alternative” who would be better situated to push […]

North Africa

MENASource

May 1, 2017

Algeria’s Elections in an Atmosphere of Uncertainty

By Sabina Henneberg

Algeria is facing change in several interrelated areas. Upcoming parliamentary elections on May 5 will therefore take place in an atmosphere of rising uncertainty. Coupled with the fact that those in power realize that change is needed, and have taken steps to diversify the economy and adopt constitutional amendments in recent years, means the elections […]

North Africa

MENASource

Apr 28, 2017

How Aya Hijazi Ended Up in Sisi’s Seat at the White House

By Dalia Rabie

President Donald Trump did not waste time boasting about his role in the release of Aya Hijazi, Egyptian-American charity worker who had been jailed in Egypt for the past three years. “Did you see Aya?” Trump asked an Associated Press reporter at the beginning of his interview this week. “I asked the government to let […]

North Africa
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