Middle East

Middle East

Stretching from the Western Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East continues to be a region struggling with violent conflict, political repression, and poor development. Numerous pro-democracy protest movements, a burgeoning youth population, and efforts to reform governments and lessen economic dependence on oil, however, are causes for optimism. The United States and the international community must remain engaged with the region to provide support for these positive moves and to address the many remaining challenges.

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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

The Iran war has forced the US-Gulf alliance out of the shadows

By Eric Alter

The Iran war is testing whether the informal strategic system the United States has assembled with its Gulf partners and Israel is strong enough to hold up amid a regional conflict.

Defense Policy Iran

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

‘They have been exposed’: The Iran war upends Gulf states’ security and business model

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

The Iran war threatens the sense of security, prosperity, and opportunity that the Gulf states have spent years cultivating as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil.

Critical Infrastructure Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security
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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.

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Content

In the News

May 4, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Iran’s Terror Regime Has Shown Its True Face

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

MENASource

May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth

In the News

May 4, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Breaking the Architecture of Iran’s Regime Power

By Atlantic Council

Iran Maritime Security

Podcast

May 1, 2026

The IEA’s Fatih Birol on ‘the greatest energy security threat in history’

By The Atlantic Council

The war in Iran continues with no clear end in sight, fueling economic turbulence and concerns of a global energy crisis. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol spoke at an AC Front Page event on April 13th, and argued the conflict is the greatest energy security threat in history. He warned that oil prices will soon “converge” with the on-the-ground reality, knocking the global economy further into disarray.

Economy & Business European Union

Dispatches

Apr 30, 2026

Can Iraq’s new prime minister fix his country’s broken politics?

By Victoria J. Taylor , Safwan Al-Amin

Ali al-Zaidi must contend with a growing crisis of legitimacy in the very system that brought him to power and the backing of a coalition that is increasingly unstable.

Elections Iraq

EnergySource

Apr 30, 2026

Breaking with OPEC, the UAE is now a free agent. What this means for markets and regional unity

By Ellen Wald

The UAE's departure from OPEC will both impact oil markets and mark a significant historic shift for the region.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 29, 2026

Braw in Foreign Policy on Trump’s Iran war and strains on U.S. allies’ arms exports

By Elisabeth Braw

On April 29, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Elisabeth Braw was published in Foreign Policy with an article describing how the U.S. war with Iran is straining relations with allies and disrupting arms exports as Washington diverts weapons to meet its own military needs.

Middle East Security & Defense

Dispatches

Apr 28, 2026

Israel and Lebanon are closer to peace than they appear

By Jennifer Gavito and Bianca Rosen

But the two sides still need to arrive at a face-saving compromise on Hezbollah’s disarmament and Israel’s buffer zone.

Israel Lebanon

Dispatches

Apr 28, 2026

‘A long time coming’: How to understand the UAE’s decision to leave OPEC

By William F. Wechsler

It’s important to see Abu Dhabi's announcement in the context of the growing rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fast Thinking

Apr 28, 2026

Why is the UAE leaving OPEC? 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack the geopolitical and energy market impacts of the UAE's just-announced departure.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Sharif Abdelrazeq

Sustainability and Innovation Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Former Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business
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Events

Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals