Evolving MENA power balances: What is next for US engagement in the region?

New Atlanticist Mar 18, 2025

The Gaza cease-fire is over. What’s next from Israel, Hamas, and the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

In the early hours of March 18, Israel launched air strikes on Gaza, ending the two-month cease-fire. Atlantic Council experts answer pressing questions about the resumed conflict.
Conflict Israel
Evolving MENA power balances: What is next for US engagement in the region?

New Atlanticist Mar 17, 2025

Enough carrots for Putin. For better negotiations, serve ‘maximum pressure’ instead.

By Benjamin L. Schmitt, Richard L. Morningstar, and Daniel Fried

Since Russia appears content for negotiations to move slowly, the Trump administration should turn up the pressure with new sanctions.
Conflict Economic Sanctions
Evolving MENA power balances: What is next for US engagement in the region?

Issue Brief Mar 13, 2025

Present without impact? How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement

By Jonathan Fulton

Despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political, Jonathan Fulton argues.
China Economy & Business

Content

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

Evolving MENA power balances: What is next for US engagement in the region?

By Karim Mezran, Valeria Talbot, Jonathan Panikoff, Sanam Vakil, Maha Yahya, Mark N. Katz, Gangzheng She, and Julien Barnes-Dacey

US President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s upcoming visit to the Middle East provides an opportunity to assess what role the United States will play in the Middle East and North Africa in the future. With the war in Ukraine further diverting US attention from the region, the big question is whether the region is entering a ‘post-US’ era.

Energy & Environment Middle East

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

A pivot point for Europe’s role in the Middle East

By Julien Barnes-Dacey

Amid an increasingly competitive and multipolar regional order—one in which longstanding European reliance on the United States can no longer be counted on—the bloc needs to grapple with how it can become a more relevant actor to help cement positive openings and forestall new dangers

Crisis Management Europe & Eurasia

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

The Arab World and the Ukraine conflict: The quest for nonalignment

By Maha Yahya

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine serves as a reminder that employing military means to alter political realities is not a thing of the past. For countries in the MENA region, this truth is something with which they have lived for decades. Their response to the war in Ukraine has generally been to remain neutral and nonaligned.

Crisis Management Human Rights

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

Washington and the Gulf: A new opportunity to engage differently

By Sanam Vakil

Rather than unequivocally supporting the West’s position on the war in Ukraine, Gulf monarchies have hedged, revealing their deep frustration with Washington and their profound concern over Iran’s aggressive regional posture.

Middle East North Africa

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

The rise of complex ‘intermediate zones’: the Ukraine War and China’s opportunity and dilemma in the Middle East

By She Gangzheng

Middle Eastern leaders are closely watching the United States’ strategic rivalry with China and Russia, worrying the region would remain vulnerable to the spillover effects of extra-regional great-power politics.

China Economy & Business

Uncategorized

Jul 11, 2022

Shapiro quoted in The National on Biden’s trip to Israel and what that means for Palestinians

By Atlantic Council

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 11, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Washington Examiner on Biden’s Middle East trip

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 11, 2022

Dr. Riaz in The Daily Star: Sri Lanka crisis: What role would the military play?

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jul 10, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Jerusalem Post on the I2U2 summit

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

Insights & Impact

Jul 10, 2022

Lipner in Jerusalem Post: Does Biden have moves like Jagger?

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Paul Adamson

Senior Advisor

Europe Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Oluwayemisi Ajumobi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Technology & Innovation Non-Traditional Threats

Staff

Nika Aleksejeva

Resident Fellow, Baltics

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarus Disinformation

Fellow

Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Visiting Fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Fellow

Paolo Alli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Eastern Europe English
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Events

Public Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Critical minerals and the pathways to prosperity, peace, and security in the DRC
Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Fri, May 16, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Lucian Kim on “Putin’s Revenge” and Russia’s war on Ukraine
Europe & Eurasia Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy Ukraine