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: United States Prepares Plans for More Troops and New Base in Iraq

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: United States Prepares Plans for More Troops and New Base in Iraq

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

Top News: United States Prepares Plans for More Troops and New Base in Iraq

MENASource
Jan 12, 2026

The Venezuela-Iran connection and what Maduro’s capture means for Tehran, explained 

By
Joze Pelayo, Kirsten Fontenrose, Ellie Sennett 

Our experts break down Iran’s ties to Venezuela and the impact Maduro’s capture could have on Tehran’s interests in and outside of its own borders. 

Iran
Oil and Gas

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Content

MENASource

Jun 10, 2015

Top News: United States Prepares Plans for More Troops and New Base in Iraq

By MENASource

The United States is expected on Wednesday to announce plans for a new military base in Iraq’s Anbar province and the deployment of around 400 additional US trainers to help Iraqi forces fight the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and help plan a counterattack to retake Ramadi.

MENASource

Jun 10, 2015

Top News: Police Foil Terrorist Attack at Karnak Temple in Luxor

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s security forces said they foiled a suicide bomb attack at the ancient Karnak temple in the southern city of Luxor on Wednesday.

MENASource

Jun 10, 2015

EconSource: World Bank Says GCC countries Need to Slash Public Spending

By EconSource

The World Bank’s chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa, Shanta Devarajan, said Tuesday that while falling oil prices have led to welcome subsidy reforms in Gulf countries, they urgently need to develop new ways to distribute oil wealth and shrink the public sector.

MENASource

Jun 10, 2015

Turkey’s Parliamentary Elections: The Vote and Beyond

By Eyup Civelek

Turkey held its twenty-fourth parliamentary elections on Sunday June 7, 2015. While most analysts focused on the pivotal role played by the Kurdish-affiliated People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in swaying voters away from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), fewer have focused on the equally critical—and spontaneous—role of Turkish civil society in monitoring the process […]

Turkey

MENASource

Jun 9, 2015

One Year On: Legislation Under Sisi

By EgyptSource

Since his election, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued and amended over 100 decrees. In the absence of a seated parliament Sisi enjoys full legislative power and has issued decrees aiming to address the economic, security, and political issues facing Egypt today.

North Africa

MENASource

Jun 9, 2015

One Year On: The Economy Under Sisi

By EgyptSource

Following three years of unrest, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s election was viewed as an opportunity to strengthen Egypt’s deteriorating economy. Sisi’s immediate decision to cut fuel and electricity subsidies was considered an unpopular, yet necessary policy, and has since garnered him praise from global institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jun 9, 2015

Top News: UN Presents Libya’s Warring Factions With Unity Government Proposal

By MENASource

UN negotiators on Monday handed Libya’s warring factions a draft proposal for forming a unity government in an attempt to end the conflict in the North African country. Delegates from both factions are expected to head to Germany for a meeting of European and North African leaders, after which they will consult with their political bases and […]

MENASource

Jun 9, 2015

Top News: Egypt Recently Summoned US Ambassador Over Muslim Brotherhood

By EgyptSource

Egypt summoned the US ambassador in Cairo to show displeasure at Muslim Brotherhood figures coming to Washington for a private conference, sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.

MENASource

Jun 9, 2015

EconSource: Iraq to Form ‘Oil Army’ to Protect Energy Assets From ISIS

By EconSource

Iraq is mobilizing an army of 27,000 security personnel to protect its oil and energy facilities from attacks by Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) insurgents. Iraqi Oil Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi provided details about the new force following meetings of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Jun 9, 2015

One Year On: Civil Society and Human Rights under Sisi

By EgyptSource

In the four years since Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, human rights have continued to suffer. The past year under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has witnessed a serious regression in what few rights were gained in the wake of the 2011 uprising. The protests that led to the downfall of Mubarak and his successor, Mohamed Morsi, have […]

North Africa
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