MENASource

As the MENA region continues to be the epicenter of news headlines, the Atlantic Council’s MENASource is a hub for thought-provoking and hard-hitting analyses about the latest trends, ideas, and debates. This online publication provides fast reactions and in-depth commentary on breaking news and key regional topics by a diverse team of experts and contributors.

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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Russia reacts to the killing of Soleimani

MENASource Mar 26, 2026

As Iran attacks, the US should provide air defense for Iraqi Kurdistan

Washington faces a choice: Continue to defer to Baghdad’s procedural objections while Iran conducts unimpeded strikes on Kurdish territory or acknowledge the strategic reality and take decisive action.

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Russia reacts to the killing of Soleimani

MENASource Mar 17, 2026

A crisis in Egypt could be a warning sign for the global economy 

By Khalid Azim

Market watchers should keep an eye on Egypt as an oil shock could cause financial turmoil.
Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
Russia reacts to the killing of Soleimani

MENASource Mar 11, 2026

Three lessons from Libya for the war in Iran

By Frank Talbot

Any outside power using force to attain a political outcome must define the end state it seeks, align coalition partners around a shared strategy, and establish credible escalation controls.
Conflict Iran

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MENASource

Jan 4, 2020

Russia reacts to the killing of Soleimani

By Mark N. Katz

Moscow, not surprisingly, has reacted negatively to Washington’s announcement that Iranian Quds Brigade Commander, General Qasem Soleimani, was killed in Baghdad in a US drone attack.

Iran Middle East
Soleimani

MENASource

Jan 3, 2020

Repercussions for Europe after the US targeted attack on Soleimani

By Michel Duclos

Soleimani's killing came as a kind of strategic surprise in Europe. The general assumption was that the Americans could have had many other opportunities to launch an operation against their arch-enemy in the region.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia
Iran protests Soleimani killing

MENASource

Jan 3, 2020

The assassination of Qasem Soleimani: Likely consequences

By Nabeel Khoury

There is no doubt that Qasem Soleimani was a ruthless leader, however, his death does not eliminate the threat of terrorism and could lead to a spiral of actions and reactions.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jan 2, 2020

Iraq: It’s not over yet

By Thomas S. Warrick

No one should think this crisis is over. Iran’s stepped-up campaign to drive the United States out of Iraq will continue in other ways.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 24, 2019

Top Five of 2019

By Reema Hibrawi

The Middle East continued to be a tumultuous region this year, as protest movements expanded across Iran, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, and Lebanon. As we have reported and provided analysis on these ongoing issues, it is clear that much remains to be resolved in 2020. Below are the top five blog pieces of 2019 that touched a nerve with our audiences and were the most viewed of the year.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Dec 24, 2019

Israel and the Gulf states continue a tepid dance to improve relations

By Seth Frantzman

There is interest from both the Gulf states and Israel to develop better relations especially concerning the threat of Iran, but neither side has a vision for the next major public step.

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Dec 23, 2019

US-Palestinian relations and aid cuts, impact Israel’s security

By Carmiel Arbit

The consequences of deteriorating US-Palestinian relations and aid cuts are likely to continue to negatively impact security in Israel.

Crisis Management Israel

MENASource

Dec 20, 2019

Staff cuts at US embassy Baghdad will not counter Iran

By Thomas S. Warrick

The planned US staffing cuts at the embassy in Baghdad is likely to undermine US efforts to counter Iran and will leave a gap Iran is happy to continue to fill through economic, security, and political means.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy
Algerians protest election results

MENASource

Dec 17, 2019

Algerian election and legitimacy: Impossibility of change

By Karim Mezran and Alessia Melcangi

The Algerian election lacks legitimacy and the military and political elite are using elections to foster an image of legitimacy which doesn't exist.

Libya Politics & Diplomacy
Iraqi prime minister's resignation, Adil Abdul-Mahdi

MENASource

Dec 2, 2019

The Iraqi prime minister’s resignation: A way ahead for the United States

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, should be feeling a great sense of relief. Since mid-October, media outlets have reported his intent to resign amid violent protests that have engulfed much of Iraq. His resignation should be no surprise. Since the fall of Saddam, Iraq has a history of picking leaders who do not pose a […]

Corruption Democratic Transitions
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