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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For Turkey, the Libyan conflict and the eastern Mediterranean are inextricably linked

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.

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For Turkey, the Libyan conflict and the eastern Mediterranean are inextricably linked

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
For Turkey, the Libyan conflict and the eastern Mediterranean are inextricably linked

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

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MENASource

Oct 28, 2020

For Turkey, the Libyan conflict and the eastern Mediterranean are inextricably linked

By Ahmed Helal

The proxy confrontation playing out in Libya has intensified a regional competition for resources in the waters of the eastern Mediterranean, where several overlapping claims for maritime jurisdiction by Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus have fueled escalating tensions.

Europe & Eurasia
Libya

MENASource

Oct 26, 2020

Will US troops actually leave Syria in exchange for hostages?

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

While the talks between Washington and the Bashar al-Assad regime may be in its early stages, Donald Trump may want to secure some pre-election victories by securing the release of hostages and the return of soldiers.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Oct 26, 2020

Qatar Development Bank CEO: The “blockade didn’t stop us from growing” and “prepared us for other shocks” like COVID-19

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

On October 26, 2020, empowerME hosted Qatar Development Bank CEO Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa for a conversation about Qatar’s efforts to boost entrepreneurship, diversify its economy, increase women’s economic participation, and prepare youth for the jobs of the future.

Coronavirus
Economy & Business

MENASource

Oct 20, 2020

Renewed calls for demonstrations on October 25 in Iraq come with hurdles

By Raghad Kasim

Over the course of the coming weeks, protests will break out with calls for reform. This mass mobilization may witness higher incidents of violence than in October of last year.

Iraq
Middle East

MENASource

Oct 19, 2020

Soccer for peace in the Middle East and North Africa

By Rabah Arezki

Although uniting around sport might be mainly symbolic, it could also be a confidence-building effort that could reduce tension and increase integration in a region that would mightily benefit from both.

Middle East
North Africa

MENASource

Oct 8, 2020

The Shia are a black hole for US policy in the Middle East

By Andrew L. Peek

The US government's public engagement work has not caught up with the new focus on Iran. In other words, the US lacks virtually any engagement with the Shia body politic.

Iraq
Middle East

MENASource

Oct 6, 2020

I survived Assad’s torture—here’s why I’m a proud advocate of the Caesar Act

By Omar Alshogre

The Caesar Act is not the solution, but an important tool that the US and the international community must use alongside others to end the killing in my homeland.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Oct 5, 2020

Can Kadhimi curb the influence of Iran-backed militias in Iraq?

By Hamdi Malik

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi needs to be more resolute about imposing non-military solutions to reduce the influence of rogue militias, a process he has already started.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Oct 1, 2020

A reform scenario for Lebanon

By Nabeel Khoury

The Lebanese system is defined in a formal constitutional document and an informal, though equally binding, National Pact. Both will need to be radically altered for genuine reform to take place.

Lebanon
Middle East

MENASource

Oct 1, 2020

A few memories of Kuwaiti Sheikh Sabah

By Richard LeBaron

Many will speculate about where Kuwait goes from here and whether there will be a leadership crisis.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy
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