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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The New Face of Egypt’s Interior Ministry

MENASource
Nov 4, 2025

Twelve questions (and expert answers) on the Iraq elections

Iraq is set to hold elections on November 11. Our experts unpack the key questions looming over the landmark vote.

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The New Face of Egypt’s Interior Ministry

MENASource
Oct 24, 2025

‘Snapback’ sanctions are deepening the Iran-Russia alignment

By
Giorgio Cafiero

United by a desire to counter US influence, Iran and Russia are poised to deepen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Economic Sanctions
Iran

The New Face of Egypt’s Interior Ministry

MENASource
Oct 21, 2025

The Indonesia-Israel visit that didn’t happen—and why it still matters

By
Amit Yarom

Careful engagement between Israel and Indonesia could blossom. But both must navigate a narrow path between opportunity and overreach.

Indo-Pacific
Israel

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Content

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

The New Face of Egypt’s Interior Ministry

By Khaled Dawoud

As attacks against security forces show no signs of abating, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi recently replaced Egypt’s Interior Minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, with Magdy Abdel Ghaffar. However, Sisi was keen to make it clear this was not in response to opposition demands, and even provided Ibrahim with an honorary title of National Security Adviser to the Prime […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Political Legitimacy: Practicing that which is Preached

By Frederic C. Hof

A recent MENASource article addressed the issue of chronic political illegitimacy—the absence of consensus, derived from consent of the governed, on the rules of the political game—that plagues most of the states of the Arab world. Now that forty-seven Senate Republicans have affixed their signatures to an “open letter” purporting to instruct the Islamic Republic […]

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Top News: The United States Cannot Defend Syria Recruits

By MENASource

The United States does not appear to have clear-cut legal authority to protect Syrian rebels it trains from attack by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, even under new war powers, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday.

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Top New: Egyptian Newspaper Censored over Report State Institutions Fail to Pay Tax

By EgyptSource

Censors have forced a regime-friendly Egyptian newspaper to rewrite its front page after it claimed on Wednesday key state institutions owe billions of Egyptian pounds in taxes. Al-Watan tried to publish documents that alleged the Egyptian presidency, army, police, and intelligence agencies had collectively avoided tax worth 7.9 billion Egyptian pounds. 

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Why Was Ahmed Douma Given a Life Sentence?

By Sonia Farid

In the midst of a series of court rulings targeting young Egyptian activists on charges related to the controversial protest law, the life sentence handed to Ahmed Douma has been the most shocking. Charged with illegal assembly, assaulting security forces, and vandalism, Douma was also fined 17 million Egyptian Pounds for the alleged damage he […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Celebrating the Economic Potential of the Maghreb

By Mohamed Malouche

More than four years since the Tunisian revolution, ignited by popular anger at high unemployment, a lack of regional development, and few opportunities for advancement, Tunisia and the rest of the Maghreb nations, most notably Algeria and Morocco, have placed a renewed emphasis on entrepreneurial innovation.

Morocco North Africa

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

EconSource: World Bank Suspends Yemen Projects

By EconSource

A World Bank official in Yemen said, “As of Thursday, the World Bank will suspend funding projects in Yemen due to the dangerous political and security situation.” The World Bank only recently pledged $400 million to support three new development projects in Yemen. The decision came after a thorough review of the impact on programs […]

MENASource

Mar 11, 2015

Why is Gender Equality Important to the Arab World’s Economies?

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

Arab countries have made measurable progress over the past few decades in gender equality, especially in education and health, but these strides have not translated into more gains in the economic life of the region.

Middle East

MENASource

Mar 11, 2015

Top News: Saudi Arabia Recalls Ambassador to Sweden

By MENASource

Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador from Stockholm deepening a diplomatic row between the two countries over Riyadh’s record on human rights and democracy.

MENASource

Mar 11, 2015

Top News: Egyptian Government Challenges Hamas Terrorist Ruling

By EgyptSource

The Cairo Court of Appeals announced Wednesday that it will look into an appeal by the State Litigation Authority, which represents the Egyptian government, to an earlier court ruling declaring the Palestinian organization Hamas as a “terrorist” organization in a session on March 28. 

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