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MENASource

Aug 30, 2022

Experts react: Muqtada al-Sadr withdraws from politics. What’s next for Iraq amid a deep political rupture?

By Abbas Kadhim, C. Anthony Pfaff, Barbara Slavin, Andrew L. Peek, Masoud Mostajabi

Atlantic Council experts react to the news of Muqtada aSadr’s resignation and offer their thoughts on how the international community will deal with the conflict moving forward.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Aug 25, 2022

Brown-to-green subsidy swaps in MENA are long overdue. Here’s why.

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

Reforms in fossil fuel subsidies can help address many challenges and could result in many benefits for the MENA region.

Energy & Environment Middle East

MENASource

Aug 16, 2022

Under Macron’s leadership, France is leading a middle power strategy in the Gulf. Here’s how.

By Jean-Loup Samaan

France is positioning itself as a Western partner that, although may not be a substitute to Washington, is one that provides a “convenient and credible” option to those Gulf leaders eager to diversify their partnerships.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 10, 2022

The founding head of al-Qaeda is dead. But radicalism continues to thrive in Egypt.

By Shahira Amin

The founding head of al-Qaeda is no longer, but it’s important not to forget that the terrorists that carried out 9/11 were born, raised, and radicalized in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.   

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Aug 9, 2022

Israel’s military operation against PIJ was a short-term success. Here’s how it could be a longer-term one too.

By Shalom Lipner

What has been widely recognized as an Israeli tactical success could also—possibly, if not assuredly—lay the groundwork for consolidating an even more impactful strategic transformation.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Aug 4, 2022

Russia is forming an alliance of pariah states in the Middle East. It might put Israel in an awkward situation in Syria. 

By Ksenia Svetlova

For lack of other options, Russia is opening to Iran and is preparing to establish a new alliance of pariah states with the Islamic Republic—to the detriment of Jerusalem.

Europe & Eurasia Israel

MENASource

Jul 21, 2022

Tunisia has a referendum on July 25. Few have as much stake in it as Algeria does.

By Andrew G. Farrand

Algeria has invested in Tunisia's stability for years, providing it with cheap natural gas, governmental loans, and other bilateral support.

Elections Middle East

MENASource

Jul 15, 2022

Experts react: What’s next for the Middle East after Biden’s big visit?

By Daniel B. Shapiro, Barbara Slavin, Ariel Ezrahi, Thomas S. Warrick, Shalom Lipner, Carmiel Arbit, Nadereh Chamlou, Sina Azodi, Mark N. Katz, Andrew L. Peek

The trip focuses on repairing relationships across the region in an effort to foster regional stability and advance normalization with Israel. Atlantic Council experts react to the trip and what it means for the wider region.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jul 14, 2022

Time heals all wounds. But will that work with Saudi Arabia and Turkey?

By Pınar Dost, Jonathan Panikoff

Does time make one forget resentments or do national interests triumph over friendships and enmities? The latter seems true for Turkey's president and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

MENASource

Jul 14, 2022

Biden’s Middle East trip focuses on the region. But China is the elephant in the room.

By Ahmed Aboudouh

US President Joe Biden’s visit to the Middle East on 13-16 July won’t directly focus on China. However, the rising power will be the elephant in the room at the Saudi summit in Jeddah.

China East Asia