Recent analysis

Here’s what we’re reading this summer

MENASource Apr 8, 2025

Legalizing child marriage in Iraq: Stepping back from the brink

By Sareta Ashraph

While there have been some elements of relief that the Iraq parliament has pulled back from legalizing child marriage, the situation remains dynamic.
Iraq Middle East
Here’s what we’re reading this summer

AfricaSource Mar 17, 2025

This Women’s History Month, focus on African women’s achievements, not just their challenges

By Rama Yade

African women deserve recognition not just for the indignities they face, but for the heights they achieve.
Africa Resilience & Society
Here’s what we’re reading this summer

MENASource Mar 10, 2025

Syria’s women face a new chapter. Here’s how to amplify their voices.

By Diana Rayes , Hind Kabawat

It is critical for women to be involved in transitional justice and constitutional reform processes in Syria.
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Syria

Programs

empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is shaping solutions to empower entrepreneurs, women, and youth and building coalitions of public and private partnerships to drive regional economic integration, prosperity, and job creation.

Learn more

Events

Public Event Mon, April 14, 2025 • 4:00 pm ET

Book launch of “Night Train to Odesa: Covering the Human Cost of Russia’s War”
Human Rights Nationalism Resilience Resilience & Society
Public Event Tue, February 18, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

The role of AI in transforming Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship International Markets Middle East
Online Event Tue, January 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Innovating for good: Jordan’s impact-driven startups
Artificial Intelligence Civil Society Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2021

Here’s what we’re reading this summer

By Andrew R. Marshall

Even in the depths of summer, our deeply thoughtful (and widely read) staff at the Atlantic Council keep their mental gears churning. Here are some summer reading suggestions from us for the beach, mountains, or backyard.

Civil Society Education

Interview

Aug 5, 2021

Interview with Monera Yousufzada, former Afghan deputy minister of defense

By Fariba Pajooh

Munira Yousefzada, former Afghan deputy minister of defense, joins Fariba Pajooh for an interview about the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the peace process.

Afghanistan Human Rights

SouthAsiaSource

Aug 3, 2021

On the frontline: Protecting Afghanistan’s human rights defenders

By Atlantic Council

Despite being on the receiving end of threats, harassment, intimidation, violence, and assassinations, Afghanistan's human rights defenders continue to fight for the rights of Afghans. Join the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center for a discussion with some of Afghanistan’s leading human rights defenders and experts to explore what lies ahead for the activists who put their lives on the line to fight violence, impunity, and militancy.

Afghanistan Civil Society

In the News

Jul 29, 2021

Varshney joins Asia Society to discuss centrality of religion and caste in modern India

By Atlantic Council

India Nationalism

In the News

Jul 20, 2021

Kohistany interviewed by NPR on her experience as an Afghan in the US military

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Lyla Kohistany speaks to NPR on her experience as an Afghan in the US military.

Afghanistan Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

MENASource

Jul 19, 2021

Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

On July 14, 2021 the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop featuring a keynote fireside chat with Lazard Gulf Limited CEO Farah Foustok. Read the key takeaways.

Economy & Business Middle East

Event Recap

Jul 12, 2021

Event recap: The importance of inclusivity in the Afghan peace process

By Fahim Ahmad

An event recap for the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and Afghanistan’s Mechanism for Inclusive Peace (AMIP)'s discussion on the importance of inclusivity in the Afghan peace process.

Afghanistan Civil Society

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 30, 2021

Letter in support of the Afghan people by friends of Afghanistan: As US and NATO forces withdraw, we must not abandon the Afghan people and their democratic republic

This is an open letter organized by a coalition of Afghan women and friends of Afghanistan. The Afghan Women’s Network together with a larger coalition of Our Voices - Our Future and Together Stronger work to achieve peace and demand an end to the conflict and an equal representation of women across fields in Afghanistan. We believe in inclusive, just, practical, and sustainable peace in which women are equal citizens of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Human Rights

In the News

Jun 29, 2021

Saudi Gazette covered empowerME’s Igniting Women’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Saudi Arabia workshop

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

In the News

Jun 28, 2021

Shahid joins Clubhouse to discuss family planning and politics in India

By Atlantic Council

India Politics & Diplomacy
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Aminata Niang

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Future of Work

Fellow

Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Reem Goussous

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Americas Arabic

Fellow

Tatiana Gfoeller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Arabic Central Asia

Staff

Natalia Storz

Program Assistant

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French
Load More