N7 Initiative

In the wake of the Abraham Accords signed in September 2020, the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs, in partnership with the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, launched the N7 Initiative to help accelerate and strengthen normalization between Israel and Arab and Muslim countries, and to drive bipartisan support in the US for normalization.

Experts

Past events

Latest analysis

MENASource

Apr 20, 2021

Lessons from Israel and Egypt’s lukewarm peace

By Gabriel Mitchell

Security coordination has always been the relationship’s epicenter. So, while the depth of cooperation between Israeli and Egyptian forces is laudable, where is the relationship evolving?

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Mar 18, 2021

The real threat to modern Israel

By Dan Perry

The March 23 election could emerge as an inflection point because Haredi behavior during the coronavirus pandemic has underscored divisions, deepened mutual disdain, and convinced many Israelis things cannot continue as they are.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Mar 17, 2021

Down the rabbit hole of Israel’s electoral wonderland

By Shalom Lipner

Nothing is certain at this point other than the fact that Israel’s leadership is up for grabs. It will be ugly and could conceivably end in a stalemate.

Elections Israel

MENASource

Mar 16, 2021

The many paths to Syrian-Israeli reconciliation

By Samir Altaqi

A reported January meeting between several senior Syrian, Israeli, and Russian intelligence officers in Syria failed to advance bilateral discussions between the parties despite allegedly being attended by Bashar Al-Assad.

Israel Middle East

TURKEYSource

Mar 10, 2021

Turkey is seeking a fresh start with Israel

By Karel Valansi

After a recent period of turbulence in bilateral Turkey-Israel relations, Turkey, driven by economic and geopolitical interests, is now eager to normalize ties.

Crisis Management Economy & Business

MENASource

Mar 9, 2021

US, Israel, and GCC perspectives on China-MENA relations

By Jonathan Fulton, Eyal Propper, and Ahmed Fahmy

The Abraham Accords signed between the UAE and Bahrain and Israel consolidates the US-led regional alliance. However, they also underscore prospects for closer China-Gulf-Israel cooperation in the economic, trade, and technological spheres.

China Israel

MENASource

Feb 18, 2021

Israel’s upcoming election: A referendum on the handling of the coronavirus

By Shalom Lipner

March 23 will see Israelis trek to the polls—for the fourth time since April 2019—after the close of an election campaign that has, thus far, entertained discussion of little else other than the coronavirus and its ramifications.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Feb 10, 2021

The Biden administration can help mend ties between Turkey and Israel

By Gabriel Mitchell

After enduring a decade of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s erratic and often antagonistic behavior, it will take more than gestures to bring these two erstwhile allies back together.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Feb 2, 2021

Israel, UAE leap ahead in vaccination drive against coronavirus

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

The efficient manner in which Israel and the UAE have acquired and administered the vaccines contrasts with what has been described as a bumbling process in the United States and some of Europe’s most advanced economies.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Feb 1, 2021

How President Biden can tackle the Middle East’s biggest problems

By Kirsten Fontenrose, Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, and Udi Dekel

In a first project of trilateral collaboration, the directors and strategists from leading think tanks in the US, the UAE, and Israel have submitted nine recommendations on issues that deserve priority treatment from the new administration.

Israel Middle East

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