Content

Dispatches

Aug 4, 2026

Despite what Putin says, Russia and Iran are linking the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East

By Katherine Spencer

Capabilities and expertise developed on the Ukrainian battlefield are now flowing back to the Middle East.

Conflict Intelligence

MENASource

Aug 4, 2026

هل يتمكن الزيدي من فصل الدولة عن الطائفة؟

By Munqith Dagher

منقذ داغر ليس خافياً تأثير ما يجري في الجوار العراقي على السياسة والمجتمع والاقتصاد فيه. وعلى الرغم من ان التغيرات التي حصلت في المنطقة بعد أكتوبر 2023 انعكست على العراق بطريقة او بأخرى، الا ان التأثير الأكبر على سياسته سيظهر نتيجة تداعيات ما بعد 28 فبراير(شباط)2026 والتي تتكشف يوماً بعد الآخر. لقد أدى اغتيال السيد […]

Arabic Conflict

MENASource

Aug 3, 2026

Can al-Zaidi separate the sects from the state in Iraq?

By Munqith Dagher

The biggest challenge facing Iraq's prime minister is how to curb the role of sectarian institutions in shaping Iraq's state decisions.

Conflict Iran

Issue Brief

Jul 31, 2026

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a heavy blow to the deteriorating maritime order

By Elisabeth Braw

Iran’s use of a maritime chokepoint as a geopolitical tool—implemented in response to a war that violates the United Nations Charter—and the United States’ inconsistent response dramatically undermine the global maritime order and open the door for further such closures.

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Dispatches

Jul 29, 2026

How Oman and Europe can open the Strait of Hormuz for good

By Jonathan Panikoff

Muscat should ask the British- and French-led maritime security mission to deploy to the strait within Omani territorial waters.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Dispatches

Jul 27, 2026

What the latest US sanctions bill means for Russia—and for China, India, and Iran

By Maia Nikoladze

If it passes, the bill would affect several major countries that currently trade with Russia, and those effects should be factored into US planning.

China Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Dispatches

Jul 23, 2026

With a Saudi deal, the US begins ‘Plan C’ for nonproliferation in the Middle East

By William F. Wechsler

Washington is now attempting to achieve its nonproliferation objectives through deep political and commercial integration with partners’ nuclear programs.

Iran Nuclear Energy

Fast Thinking

Jul 22, 2026

What to know about the new US-Saudi nuclear deal

By Atlantic Council

The reported deal with Riyadh would send US nuclear technology, material, and equipment to the kingdom—raising the issue of nonproliferation.

Iran Nuclear Energy

Dispatches

Jul 22, 2026

Experts react: Reading between the lines of the new US-Saudi nuclear agreement

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts share their insights on the reported deal, under which the US would send nuclear technology, material, and equipment to the kingdom.

Iran Nuclear Energy

MENASource

Jul 21, 2026

The Gulf’s real front line in the Iran conflict runs through its water, cloud, and cables—and the links between them

By Alia Brahimi, John James

Gulf countries must each build resilience as a single architecture across every layer that can be weaponized.

Conflict Iran

Experts