Middle East - Atlantic Council

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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Wang Yi’s MENA tour was long on messaging, short on outcomes

By Jonathan Fulton

Wang worked to position China as a defender of free trade and a reliable partner for the Middle East region.

China
Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Why US markets are betting on Saudi Arabia

By Khalid Azim

Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategy is coherent, ambitious, and increasingly credible. US debt capital markets, for now, appear to agree.

Economy & Business
Energy Markets & Governance

MENASource

After Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, what comes next?

By Amit Yarom

Recognition reshapes the scope of bilateral engagement but does not eliminate the constraints tied to Somaliland’s contested status.

Africa
East Africa

READ More from MENASOURCE

Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Content

Dispatches

What Trump could do next in Iran

By Nate Swanson

As a US carrier strike group nears the Persian Gulf, what options does US President Donald Trump have to strike against the Iranian regime?

Iran
Middle East

MENASource

Wang Yi’s MENA tour was long on messaging, short on outcomes

By Jonathan Fulton

Wang worked to position China as a defender of free trade and a reliable partner for the Middle East region.

China
Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Why US markets are betting on Saudi Arabia

By Khalid Azim

Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategy is coherent, ambitious, and increasingly credible. US debt capital markets, for now, appear to agree.

Economy & Business
Energy Markets & Governance

Dispatches

How Trump’s ‘TRIPP’ triumph can advance US interests in the South Caucasus

By Andrew D’Anieri and Joseph Epstein

The recently announced Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity promises to become a vital connectivity link between Europe and Asia.

Iran
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Charai for The National Interest: Iran’s Strategy of Delay

By Atlantic Council

Iran
Middle East

Dispatches

Why Israel is responding to protests in Iran with caution

By Danny Citrinowicz

Israel might find itself in danger if the current regime survives and stabilizes, or if the regime is replaced by hardliners.

Conflict
Iran

MENASource

After Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, what comes next?

By Amit Yarom

Recognition reshapes the scope of bilateral engagement but does not eliminate the constraints tied to Somaliland’s contested status.

Africa
East Africa

In the News

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: A Father’s Cry, a Nation’s Future

By Atlantic Council

Freedom and Prosperity
Iran

MENASource

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By Tara Kangarlou

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.

Civil Society
Crisis Management

MENASource

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

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Experts

Fellow

Amina Mohamed

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Reem Goussous

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Americas Arabic

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Jonathan Green is a nonresident senior fellow at the GeoStrategy Initiative in the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Fellow

Jonathan Green

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Itai Melchior

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business

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Events

Online Event Tue, January 27, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The SDF-Damascus agreement and its Implications in Syria and the Region

Conflict Middle East Syria

Online Event Thu, February 12, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Iraq’s economic agenda for the next government

Economy & Business Elections Iraq Middle East