MENASource brings you up-close to a region at the epicenter of geo-political headlines. It is the Atlantic Council’s hub for in-depth commentary about breaking news, key topics, and trends from our team of experts on the Middle East and North Africa.

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

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Top News: Turkey plans operation in Syria as part of international movement to dismantle ISIS

MENASource
Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.

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Top News: Turkey plans operation in Syria as part of international movement to dismantle ISIS

MENASource
Jan 28, 2026

Trump’s National Security Strategy doesn’t downgrade the Middle East, it redefines it

By
Kristian Alexander

Trump’s strategy is a sophisticated refinement of “America First.” For the Gulf, the implications are significant, but manageable.

Middle East
National Security

Top News: Turkey plans operation in Syria as part of international movement to dismantle ISIS

MENASource
Jan 13, 2026

Eight questions (and expert answers) on the SDF’s withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo

By
Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack why violence erupted, what it means for Kurdish safety and integration in Syria, and how Washington is engaging.

Civil Society
Conflict

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Content

MENASource

Jan 21, 2016

Top News: Turkey plans operation in Syria as part of international movement to dismantle ISIS

By MENASource

Turkish sources stated that Ankara is preparing for a ground operation in Jarabulus, near the Syrian-Turkish borders and under the control of ISIS, in the next few days.

MENASource

Jan 21, 2016

EconSource: China Offers Financial Support to Egypt During President’s Visit

By EconSource

China signed a number of economic deals with Egypt during a visit by President Xi Jinping on Thursday and agreed to a $1 billion financing agreement with the Central Bank of Egypt and $700 million in loans to the National Bank of Egypt.

MENASource

Jan 21, 2016

How Might the FED’s Policy Affect the Middle East?

By M. Hande Akmehmet

The US Federal Reserve (FED) announced its most anticipated policy change in December 2015: the long-awaited modest increase in short-term interest rates, which formally marked the beginning of a “Strong Dollar” period in the global economy. Coupled with the upcoming rate hikes in 2016, this policy will not only impact the US economy, but will […]

Economy & Business
International Organizations

MENASource

Jan 20, 2016

The January 25 Anniversary: A Well-Rehearsed Script

By Khaled Dawoud

Over the past four years, the anniversary of the January 25 revolution has not been a welcomed occasion—whether under SCAF, former president Mohamed Morsi, former interim president Adly Mansour, or President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Activists who took part in the 18-day revolution against Mubarak, and continue to defend it as one of the most significant […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jan 20, 2016

Top News: ISIS to cut fighter salaries by 50 percent

By MENASource

The Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) has announced plans to halve the monthly salaries of its members in Syria and Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) published what it said was an official statement from ISIS announcing the cuts.

MENASource

Jan 20, 2016

EconSource: ISIS to Cut Fighter Salaries by 50 Percent

By EconSource

The Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) has announced plans to halve the monthly salaries of its members in Syria and Iraq. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) published what it said was an official statement from ISIS announcing the cuts.

MENASource

Jan 20, 2016

Top News: German Think Tank Pulling out of Egypt over Restrictions

By EgyptSource

A well-known German think tank says it is moving its Mideast operations out of Egypt, maintaining that ever-stricter government restrictions have made it impossible to carry out its work.

MENASource

Jan 19, 2016

Top News: Libya’s Presidential Council Names New Government

By MENASource

Libya’s Presidential Council announced a new government on Tuesday, although two of its nine members rejected it in a sign of continuing divisions.

MENASource

Jan 19, 2016

Top News: Parliament Approves Terrorist Entities, Regulatory Bodies Laws

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s new parliament approved two controversial laws Sunday as it started reviewing legislation passed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi since 2014. As the parliament races to meet its two-week deadline, Parliamentary Speaker Ali Abdel Aal urged MPs to expedite the ratification of decrees that were issued during the legislature’s three-year absence.

MENASource

Jan 19, 2016

EconSource: Saudi Arabia Plans New Sovereign Wealth Fund

By EconSource

Saudi Arabia plans to create a new sovereign fund to manage part of its oil wealth and diversify its investments. It has asked investment banks and consultancies to submit proposals for the project.

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