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: Violations against Detained Protesters and Lawyers on January 25, say NGOs

MENASource
Dec 16, 2025

What will 2026 bring for the Middle East and North Africa?

As 2025 comes to a close, our senior analysts unpack the most prominent trends and topics they are tracking for the new year.

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Top News: Violations against Detained Protesters and Lawyers on January 25, say NGOs

MENASource
Dec 7, 2025

One year after Assad’s fall, here’s what’s needed to advance justice for Syrians

By
Elise Baker and Ahmad Helmi

The second year of a post-Assad Syria requires structural reform, victim-centered leadership, and international reinforcement.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

Top News: Violations against Detained Protesters and Lawyers on January 25, say NGOs

MENASource
Nov 20, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s next horizon: Building human capital beyond Vision 2030

By
Khalid Azim

Riyadh still needs to take fully support small and medium-sized enterprises—the true engines of job creation.

Economy & Business
Middle East

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Content

MENASource

Jan 28, 2015

Top News: Violations against Detained Protesters and Lawyers on January 25, say NGOs

By EgyptSource

Human rights groups and NGOs condemned the lack of transparency and violations related to the illegal detention of protesters, and restrictions on lawyers who tried to represent them. The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) issued a report Tuesday criticizing the lack of clarity on the number of arrests on January 25, and […]

MENASource

Jan 28, 2015

EconSource: Iraq Lowers Oil Price Forecast in Budget Proposal to $55 per Barrel

By EconSource

Falling oil prices forced Iraq’s cabinet to revise its draft 2015 budget and trim its forecast for oil to $55 a barrel from $60. According to a member of the parliament’s finance committee, spending was reduced to 119 trillion Iraqi dinars. Nonetheless, the budget deficit is expected to rise to 25 trillion dinars. The decision […]

MENASource

Jan 28, 2015

The Past, Present, and Future of Iraqi Tribes in Shaping National Identity

By Jeppe Stavnsbo Sorensen

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s encouragement of a tribal revolution to fight the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL), or the foreign enemy, seems to be a necessary reaction to the dire situation of the state army, struggling to maintain an effective force in the face of the jihadist threat.

Iraq

MENASource

Jan 27, 2015

Five International Organizations Approved to Monitor Egypt Elections

By EgyptSource

The High Elections Committee (HEC) announced Monday that five international organizations have been approved to monitor Egypt’s upcoming parliamentary elections in March.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

Jan 27, 2015

Readjusting the Transatlantic Middle East Policy

By MENASource

The roar of euphoria and promise that arose from the 2011 Arab awakening not more than four years ago now seem but a distant whisper in the wake of regional turmoil and international security concerns plaguing the once-transitioning countries of North Africa and the Middle East.

Middle East

MENASource

Jan 27, 2015

Top News: Eight dead in Tripoli hotel attack; Clashes continue despite ceasefire

By MENASource

A car bomb exploded outside the Corinthia hotel in Tripoli Tuesday morning and killed eight total people; three security guards and five foreigners.

MENASource

Jan 27, 2015

Top News: Parties Reconsider Running for Elections; Court Verdict Against Activists Upheld

By EgyptSource

The Democratic Trend Alliance, which includes the Dostour Party, the Social Popular Alliance Party, the Popular Current, the Karama Party, the Socialist Party, and the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, will reconsider participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections in protest over a female activist’s death on Saturday.

MENASource

Jan 27, 2015

EconSource: Algeria Walks Economic Tightrope As Oil Falls

By EconSource

While for months officials repeated that the Algeria’s large foreign exchange reserves would shield the country from collapsing oil prices, Algerian prime minister announced that the crisis had reached Algeria’s economy. Algeria must now navigate a precarious balance between curbing high public spending without restricting a generous welfare budget that has helped stave off social […]

MENASource

Jan 26, 2015

January 25: A Weekend of Violence

By EgyptSource

In the days leading up to the four year anniversary of Egypt’s January 25 uprising, at least two protesters were killed, among them activist Shaimaa al-Sabbagh. The death toll spiked on the anniversary itself, with over twenty killed and close to 100 injured. Violence was also witnessed in parts of the country in the form […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jan 26, 2015

Egypt’s Revolution: Understanding What Went Wrong in Four Years

By Amr Hamzawy

The success of the popular uprisings and revolutions which peacefully demanded dignity, freedom, and social justice will be measured by the extent to which they are able to build new legislative, executive, and judicial institutions and political parties to manage the affairs of citizens, the society, and the state. Their success will also be judged […]

North Africa
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