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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Closed and Banned: Egypt Independent Remains a Force for Freedom of Expression Till the End

MENASource
May 28, 2025

Sectarianism, social media, and Syria’s information blackhole

Since Assad’s December ousting, Syrians have struggled to sift the truth from fake claims about security incidents across the country.

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Closed and Banned: Egypt Independent Remains a Force for Freedom of Expression Till the End

MENASource
May 28, 2025

Mickey goes to the Gulf: The UAE’s wish upon a soft power star

By
Amit Yarom

In a region often defined by hard power rivalries, Abu Dhabi has chosen to compete through visibility, credibility and imagination.

Media
Middle East

Closed and Banned: Egypt Independent Remains a Force for Freedom of Expression Till the End

MENASource
May 27, 2025

Jordan-Israel security cooperation continues quietly but unabated 

By
Emily Milliken

Despite diplomatic setbacks from the Israel-Gaza war, military and intelligence cooperation continues to thrive between the two neighbors.

Israel
Middle East

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MENASource

Apr 25, 2013

Closed and Banned: Egypt Independent Remains a Force for Freedom of Expression Till the End

By Miriam Berger

It is no longer surprising news when an Egyptian newspaper suddenly receives that fateful order from above to shutdown. Egypt is, as the saying goes, where newspapers come to die. Such was the unfortunate fate this week of the Egypt Independent – a leading go-to source around the world for credible local Egyptian news and […]

MENASource

Apr 25, 2013

Top News: Hagel Meets Morsi, Sisi in Egypt, Reaffirms Military Ties With Egypt

By Egypt Source

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel underscored Washington’s military commitment to Egypt on Wednesday and pledged American support as Egyptian forces evolve to address new and shifting security threats, U.S. defense officials said. "I wanted to stop in Egypt to … reaffirm American commitment to Egypt’s emerging democracy, encourage the democratic and economic reforms that are […]

MENASource

Apr 25, 2013

Syria and Geneva: No Precondition, but a Certain Result

By Frederic C. Hof

US President Barack Obama’s Syria-related objective remains one of negotiated political transition consistent with what the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (P5) decided in Geneva in June 2012. It is important, therefore, to understand what was actually agreed.

Syria

MENASource

Apr 24, 2013

Egypt’s Economic Dilemma Requires a Combination of Economic and Political Reforms

By Amr Abd El-Atty

Since the January 25th Revolution, Egypt has suffered from a major economic crisis, in which the pace of economic growth during the past two years has fallen from the high rates achieved by the Mubarak regime (and confirmed by a number of international financial and economic organizations).  The average citizen, however, did not benefit from […]

MENASource

Apr 24, 2013

Tunisia: Turning Around Finally

By Mohsin Khan and Svetlana Milbert

The announcement on April 19 by Managing Director Christine Lagarde of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that the Tunisian government and the IMF had reached agreement on a two-year Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) amounting to $1.78 billion could well prove to be a watershed in Tunisia’s economic recovery. What the announcement means precisely is that the […]

North Africa

MENASource

Apr 24, 2013

Top News: PM to Stay in Egypt Reshuffle; Sources Claim Top Prosecutor May Join Next Cabinet

By Egypt Source

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil, widely criticised as colorless and ineffectual, will keep his job in a limited cabinet reshuffle to be announced within days, a presidential spokesman said on Wednesday. Spokesman Ehab Fahmy told a news conference: "It is a limited reshuffle and the prime minister is not included."

MENASource

Apr 23, 2013

A New Deal: Reforming US Defense Cooperation with Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia

By Egypt Source

In “A New Deal: Reforming US Defense Cooperation with Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia” former US Army Chief George Casey and Congressman Jim Kolbe argue that the transitions in Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia will be reversible unless and until their security agencies are better equipped to carry out their functions without abusing citizen rights or interfering in politics.

United States and Canada

MENASource

Apr 23, 2013

Doublespeak Beyond Boston: Revealing the Brotherhood’s Arabic Rhetoric

By Jayson Casper

As the world community condemned the recent bombings in Boston, the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm joined the chorus. “The Freedom and Justice Party categorically rejects as intolerable the bombings committed in the US city of Boston,” reported Ikhwanweb, the official English website of the Muslim Brotherhood. “The FJP offers heartfelt sympathies and solemn condolences to the American people […]

MENASource

Apr 23, 2013

Top News: Morsi Vows to Respect Judicial Independence; Mekki to Reconsider Resignation

By Egypt Source

 Minister of Justice Ahmed Mekki said he would reconsider his resignation if he were to receive an official written decree promising no one would interfere in the affairs of the judiciary. Prior to Mekki’s comments, President Mohamed Morsi’s office issued a statement late Monday night regarding his meeting with members of the Supreme Judicial Council. Morsi expressed his concern to protect […]

MENASource

Apr 23, 2013

Reform of Energy Subsidies in the Arab Countries

By Svetlana Milbert

Energy subsidies have been an integral part of domestic pricing policies in most Arab countries for decades, but are increasingly unsustainable because of their economic, social, and environmental impact. Out of twenty Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, twelve have energy subsidies amounting to at least 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). A […]

Energy & Environment Middle East
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