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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Syria: Defending the Indefensible

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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Syria: Defending the Indefensible

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

Syria: Defending the Indefensible

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 22, 2013

Syria: Defending the Indefensible

By Frederic C. Hof

Recent testimony by US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey illustrated quite nicely one outcome of a troubled interagency national security system: US senators seemed to be more perplexed about American policy toward Syria after the hearing than they were before.

Syria United States and Canada

MENASource

Apr 22, 2013

Despite Criminalization, FGM Persists in Egypt

By Mai El Sadany

In what was considered by many to be a legal and at least superficial victory, on February 3, 2013, Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court rejected a lawsuit challenging the illegality of female genital mutilation (FGM). The lawsuit was filed in 2008 to challenge a decision by the Ministry of Health in 2007 to criminalize the practice, claiming […]

MENASource

Apr 22, 2013

Top News: Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki Resigns

By Egypt Source

 Egypt’s Justice Minister Ahmed Mekki has resigned in a letter protesting "an assault" on the judiciary by President Mohamed Morsi’s Islamist backers, a spokesman said on Sunday, underlining mounting tensions between the judiciary and the executive. 

MENASource

Apr 22, 2013

Libya’s Constitutional Process: Moving Forward?

By Karim Mezran and Duncan Pickard

The General National Congress (GNC) on April 10 finally issued a constitutional amendment declaring that Libya’s constitution-drafting committee would be elected directly, rather than appointed by the GNC. While this puts to rest a longstanding debate that has held up much of the assembly’s—and the country’s—other work, the GNC has now officially set the stage […]

Libya

MENASource

Apr 19, 2013

Top News: Brothers Gather at High Court, Demand ‘Purging of the Judiciary’

By Egypt Source

 Thousands of Muslim Brotherhood members gathered outside the High Court on Friday to demand the purging of the judiciary and the dismissal of Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky. The protest was organized in response to a court’s ruling this week to release former President Hosni Mubarak from prison pending his retrial on charges of complicity in […]

MENASource

Apr 19, 2013

Reaping the Consequences of Egypt’s Constitution: Fear of The Other

By Nancy Messieh

Egypt’s constitution, drafted by an Islamist-dominated committee and pushed through by a bizarre voting process in which the constituent assembly worked into the early hours of the morning, approving article after article at breakneck speed, introduced a vague definition of what it means to be Egyptian. There are however a few key elements cemented by […]

MENASource

Apr 18, 2013

Top News: Political Forces Demonstrate Against Judiciary, Others Sit Out

By Egypt Source

 The Muslim Brotherhood, from which President Mohamed Mursi hails, announced on Wednesday that it will join the demonstration. The Salafi Dawah plans to sit out an Islamist-organized protest Friday against judicial corruption, saying it favors practical solutions instead. The liberal opposition Dostour Party also rejected calls for protests Friday outside the prosecutor general’s office, warning participants against “dragging […]

MENASource

Apr 18, 2013

The Innovative Opposition of Egypt’s Youth

By Fady Salah

The Egyptian social sphere witnessed many changes since the eruption of the 25 January revolution. The daily protests that Egypt has become accustomed to were not a frequent scene under Mubarak’s regime.  In fact, in March alone Egypt had the highest rate of protest worldwide. Alongside the traditional understanding of resistance, Egypt’s youth innovated new […]

MENASource

Apr 18, 2013

The Economics of Civil War in Syria

By Faysal Itani

Without foreign military intervention or a substantial boost in military support for the rebels, the civil war in Syria will probably destroy its state and economy. This has spurred much discussion in policy circles about Syria’s postwar reconstruction and economic recovery, which could cost an estimated $80 billion. Much of it has rightly focused on […]

Syria

MENASource

Apr 17, 2013

Top News: Political Forces Rally to Bring Down Cabinet

By Egypt Source

Informed sources within the Salafi Nour Party said Tuesday that leaders are mobilizing forces to demand the government dismiss Hesham Qandil’s Cabinet and the prosecutor general. The Freedom and Justice Party also called for a major government shuffle on Tuesday. The Conscience Front and al-Wasat’s parliamentary bloc also called for the resignations of Minister of Information Salah […]

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