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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Can soccer plead ignorance? A World Cup of politics is brewing for Qatar 2022.  

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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Can soccer plead ignorance? A World Cup of politics is brewing for Qatar 2022.  

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
Can soccer plead ignorance? A World Cup of politics is brewing for Qatar 2022.  

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

May 6, 2022

Can soccer plead ignorance? A World Cup of politics is brewing for Qatar 2022.  

By Joze Pelayo, Hamad Abbas

The integration of politics with the World Cup goes beyond the Russian invasion, as the choice of Qatar as the host nation invited significant backlash.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

May 4, 2022

Iran-linked missile and maritime threats continue. Here’s how the US and its regional partners can bolster deterrence.

By Simon Handler

A shift in US strategy is needed to reestablish credible deterrence that denies potential attacks and punishes violations in order for the US and its partners in the Middle East to counter Iranian naval aggression and missile launches. 

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Apr 29, 2022

‘Blessing in Movement’ – Private Roundtable with Esawi Frej 

By Salwa Balla

On March 31, the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs hosted a private roundtable with Esawi Frej, Israel’s Minister of Regional Cooperation.

Israel
Middle East

MENASource

Apr 29, 2022

Lebanon has a parliamentary election next month. The Lebanese are eyeing it with apathy and cynicism. 

By Nicholas Blanford

Most Lebanese believe that those politicians who created the financial disaster in the first place lack the will and ability to implement sector-wide reforms.

Elections
Lebanon

MENASource

Apr 28, 2022

Israel’s PM gave a Holocaust Remembrance speech without mentioning Iran. It signals a new approach.

By Daniel B. Shapiro

Naftali Bennett signals confidence that Israel will be vigilant and strong. That confidence grows out of more than just a different philosophical approach.

Iran
Israel

MENASource

Apr 26, 2022

Russia’s war in Ukraine is making Saudi Arabia and the UAE rethink how they deal with US pressure over China

By Ahmed Aboudouh

Ukraine has plenty of lessons about the GCC and China’s growing strategic alignment with the US.

China
East Asia

MENASource

Apr 13, 2022

Israel won’t stick out its neck for Ukraine. It’s because of Russia.

By David Daoud

Over the last decade, regional developments have forced Israel to balance its moral sense regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict against its vital national interests.

Israel
Middle East

MENASource

Apr 4, 2022

Many European soccer teams are owned by Gulf states. But why?

By Hezha Barzani

With a lucrative and rapidly growing European soccer market, it’s safe to say that Gulf nations will continue to invest in the beautiful game and reap benefits economically and socially.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Mar 29, 2022

Europe needs a new energy option that isn’t Russia. It should turn to North Africa.

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

North Africa has the potential to play an even more substantial role in Europe’s energy mix, especially because of its massive solar resources.

Middle East
North Africa

MENASource

Mar 25, 2022

The Ukraine crisis is a reminder of why conflict-driven carbon emissions matter in MENA and beyond

By Ariel Ezrahi

The current Ukraine crisis is an alarming reminder that, as senseless wars continue to rage in the twenty-first century, the uphill struggle to combat climate change just got steeper. 

Energy & Environment
Middle East
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