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

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2020

A rare strategic victory—for everyone except Iran

By William F. Wechsler

It’s been so long since the Middle East last experienced undeniably good news, that observers can be forgiven if they have difficulty recognizing it when it happens. But the “Abraham Accords” is indeed one of those moments.

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2020

Will US-brokered agreement between UAE and Israel be a regional gamechanger?

By Atlantic Council

A US-brokered deal has seen Israel and the United Arab Emirates normalize relations for the first time in history. Atlantic Council experts discuss what the agreement means and what is next for the wider region:

Conflict Israel

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2020

The 5×5—Fighting COVID-19 with surveillance: Perspectives from across the globe

By Simon Handler and Lily Liu

As more countries rely on digital tools to contain the spread of COVID-19, how will enhanced surveillance challenge privacy norms in the future? According to the World Health Organization, public health surveillance is critical to containing the pandemic. However, can enhanced surveillance during a public health crisis set precedents for digital surveillance in the future?

Africa Coronavirus

MENASource

Jul 8, 2020

How Jordan responded to Israel’s annexation plans

By Seth J. Frantzman

King Abdullah II of Jordan has repeatedly warned that Israel’s and the Trump administration’s actions are fueling potential instability.

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2020

New report assesses Israel’s warming ties with Arab Gulf states

By Larry Luxner

Common fear of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, growing uncertainty about the US commitment to the Gulf region, a desire by oil-rich Arab nations to access Israeli know-how, and the worsening COVID-19 pandemic have given momentum to a rapprochement between Israel and the six nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jun 16, 2020

The battlefield over West Bank annexation

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

Amid the international furor generated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan, few Palestinians believe they can prevent it, even if most countries consider the West Bank occupied territory.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Jun 9, 2020

Removing the UN arms embargo on Iran will reward Tehran’s malign actions

By Colonel Udi Evental

An Israeli perspective.

Iran Israel

MENASource

May 27, 2020

Twenty years after the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, Hezbollah faces host of challenges

By Nicholas Blanford

The Israeli troop withdrawal was a moment of victory for Hezbollah, but the group has also placed the party in a quandary for the first time, which it has had to wrestle with before a growing audience of critics.

Israel Lebanon

IranSource

May 26, 2020

A Biden presidency is bad news for Netanyahu, but not necessarily for Israel’s national security

By Shemuel Meir

The possibility of a Biden presidency might have a significant impact on Israel.

Iran Israel

MENASource

May 19, 2020

Pompeo’s mystery tour to Israel

By Shalom Lipner

With much of global diplomacy relegated to video conferences these days due to the coronavirus pandemic, the timing of Pompeo’s decision to traverse the Atlantic raised more than a few eyebrows.

Israel Middle East

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