The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

Experts react Jul 31, 2024

Experts react: Two top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders have been killed. What’s next for Israel, Iran, and the war in Gaza?

By Atlantic Council experts

What will these two assassinations mean for the broader regional conflict in the Middle East? Our experts delve into the possibilities.
Crisis Management Defense Policy
The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

New Atlanticist May 20, 2024

What comes after Ebrahim Raisi

By Jonathan Panikoff

While the Iranian president’s death in a helicopter crash was shocking, it is unlikely to change the country’s strategic direction. Here’s why.
Extremism Iran
The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

MENASource Dec 11, 2023

Threats from Yemen are increasing. It’s time to redesignate the Houthis.

By R. Clarke Cooper

Ever since the 2021 lifting of FTO status, the world has witnessed the increased threats emanating from Yemen, which include recent repeated attacks on commercial ships with drones and missiles
Conflict Crisis Management

Content

Dispatches

Dec 24, 2025

The Middle East is on the brink of a new crisis. Here’s where it could start.

By Alex Plitsas

No one should confuse the patchwork of temporary cease-fire agreements in place throughout the Middle East for sustainable deterrence and peace.

Conflict
Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Dec 17, 2025

To curb violence in Nigeria, the US should offer Abuja carrots, not sticks

By Haleigh Bartos, John Chin, and Julien Derroitte

If the Trump administration wants to help Nigeria address violence and terrorism, it should offer the country incentives, not threaten punitive actions against it.

Conflict
Extremism

In the News

Dec 15, 2025

Charai for Newsmax: Defend Trump’s Map of New Mideast Against Extremists

By Atlantic Council

Extremism
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 25, 2025

Whether it puts boots on the ground or not, Turkey matters for Gaza’s stabilization

By Daniel C. Kurtzer and Kayra Sener

Turkey and Israel should work with the United States to develop a role for Ankara that helps advance the International Stabilization Force mission in Gaza.

Crisis Management
Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2025

With Trump’s threats of military intervention in Nigeria, Tinubu faces a delicate balancing act

By Ohimai Amaize

With Nigeria on the brink of a diplomatic crisis with the United States, President Bola Tinubu must confront extremist violence without inflaming sectarian divides and rebuild diplomatic ties with Washington.

Extremism
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

AfricaSource

Oct 31, 2025

Mali has not just plunged into crisis. It has been unraveling for years.

By Rama Yade and Hussein Ba

Mali’s crisis runs deeper than recent coups. Military fragmentation, jihadist expansion, and severed international ties have left the landlocked nation isolated, economically strained, and socially fractured.

Africa
Crisis Management

MENASource

Oct 10, 2025

Why Lebanon is stuck in the middle on Hezbollah disarmament

By Nicholas Blanford

Lebanon finds itself caught between the rock of US pressure for Hezbollah’s disarmament and the hard place of Hezbollah refusing to do so.

Arms Control
Extremism

MENASource

Sep 30, 2025

ISIS has its sights set on a new potential ally—Uyghur jihadi groups

By Morgan Tadych

The burgeoning ISIS-K and Turkestan Islamic Party partnership is likely to further threaten Chinese interests.

China
Extremism

In the News

Sep 22, 2025

Charai in Newsmax: Trump’s Bold Confrontation Can Stop Antifa, Global Terror

By Atlantic Council

Extremism
Resilience & Society

In the News

Sep 16, 2025

Charai in National Interest: Courage, Not Extremism, Must Define the Middle East’s Future

By Atlantic Council

Extremism
Middle East
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Experts

Staff

Melanie Robbins 

Deputy Director, Realign for Palestine

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

Fellow

Leah Pisar

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Education

Fellow

Richard K. Bell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Civil Society Extremism
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