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.

Learn more about the Middle East

Filling the Gaps in the Sisi Campaign

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.

Read More

Filling the Gaps in the Sisi Campaign

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

Filling the Gaps in the Sisi Campaign

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

Stay Updated


Content

MENASource

May 26, 2014

Filling the Gaps in the Sisi Campaign

By Sarah El Sirgany

“Is Sisi coming?” women in the back rows of a Shubra El-Kheima hall ask each other enthusiastically. They have gathered for a rally for presidential candidate and former defense minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi. The female residents of the middle-income and rural parts of the Qalubiya province are prepared with posters and songs.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 26, 2014

Searching for Nasserism in Egypt’s Elections

By Amr Kotb

Are Egypt’s presidential elections a contest between Gamal Abdel Nasser and Gamal Abdel Nasser? Egypt’s two presidential candidates, former defense minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Nasserist politician, Hamdeen Sabbahi have both been likened to Egypt’s second president.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 26, 2014

Sisinomics: Is Egypt about to Witness a New Wave of Austerity?

By Tom Rollins

Egyptians are already in the process of voting for their next president, although few are in doubt about who’s going to win. Just in time did Abdel Fattah al-Sisi flesh out plans for his future economic policies, a policy platform which was, until the end of last week, left open to speculation.

North Africa

MENASource

May 25, 2014

The Islamist Stance on the Coming Elections

By Nader Bakkar

One year after the failure of their first democratic presidential experience, Egyptians are now witnessing a bitter second episode amid an atmosphere of frustration, trepidation and a loss of confidence.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 23, 2014

The Driving Force Behind Hamdeen Sabbahi’s Presidential Bid

By Khaled Dawoud

Days before the official campaigning period for new presidential elections in Egypt is scheduled to end, the main headline of the semi-official daily, Al-Ahram, quoted presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi, 60, as saying he would accept the job of prime minister in the event he lost the race against his powerful rival, former Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 23, 2014

Why Monitor an Election with a Foregone Conclusion?

By Joel Gulhane

The results from the expatriate portion of Egypt’s presidential election are in and Former Minister of Defense Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi won with a landslide vote, defeating Nasserist opponent Hamdeen Sabbahi, with 94.5 percent of the vote.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 23, 2014

Egypt’s Fight Against a Boycott

By Nervana Mahmoud

Smart lyrics that portray Egypt as a united people from various governorates are part of a catchy song sung by Emirati cultural ambassador Hussein Al-Jassmi’s urging Egyptians to vote in the 2014 presidential elections.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 22, 2014

Egypt’s Lopsided Presidential Elections, and Then What?

By EgyptSource

After the ouster of then-president Mohammed Morsi in July 2013, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has emerged as an Egyptian hero, icon, and likely the Egyptian Republic’s fifth president. His opponent in the presidential elections due to take place May 26 and 27, Nasserist Hamdeen Sabbahi, is waging an uphill battle.

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 22, 2014

The Road to Presidential Elections [Update 6]

By EgyptSource

With voting in Egypt’s second presidential elections in two years expected to take place on May 26 and 27, EgyptSource will be providing periodic updates on the latest news coming out of the Egyptian elections process. 

Elections
North Africa

MENASource

May 22, 2014

Top News: Libya Elections Commission to Announce June 25 as Date for New Legislative Elections

By MENASource

The Libyan Revolutionary Operations Room (LROR) has called on “true revolutionaries” serving in the armed forces to quit “temporarily,” according to a statement released this week. The statement called on revolutionaries to obtain the names of terrorists from their commanders, saying that the LROR would be “the head of the spear” dealing with any crimes […]

Load More