Featured Initiatives

Regions in focus

commentary & analysis

Our online publications feature thoughtful reflections and opinions on current events in the Middle East & North Africa.

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

MENASource Oct 22, 2024

Israel versus Hezbollah: Not a full-scale war—yet

By Nicholas Blanford

The Israeli army appears to have absorbed some of the lessons of its troubled 2006 experience fighting against Hezbollah.
Conflict Lebanon
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

MENASource Oct 18, 2024

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is finally having its election. Here’s how it’ll play out.

By Shivan Fazil

Given the two main parties’ growing inability to compromise, it will likely be long and fraught.
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

MENASource Oct 16, 2024

Vision 2030 has done wonders for women. But there’s still room to enhance their economic roles in Saudi Arabia.

By Beata Polok and Maha Akeel

Saudi Arabia’s progress under Vision 2030 is impressive, but the journey is not yet over.
Civil Society Economy & Business
all commentary & analysis

In-depth research & reports

Our reports feature policy-relevant analysis that focuses on transatlantic priorities while centering the concerns of citizens in the Middle East.

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

Report Oct 22, 2024

The economic and social costs of the war in Gaza

By Perrihan Al-Riffai

After a year of war, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries need a permanent ceasefire. But with development gains erased, billions of dollars in infrastructure damaged, and skyrocketing unemployment, the Middle East also urgently needs a solid reconstruction plan.
Conflict Israel
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

Report Oct 8, 2024

A bipartisan Iran strategy for the next US administration—and the next two decades

As tensions spike in the Middle East, how should the next US president approach Iran and its network of proxies including Hezbollah and Hamas? With a strategy that can be maintained for decades, by administrations of either party. A bipartisan, expert working group lays out the details.
Iran Middle East
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

Report Jul 30, 2024

Libya’s protracted crisis, ten years of electoral deadlock

By Ben Fishman, Alvaro de Argüelles Lugo , Mary Fitzgerald, Aldo Liga, Chiara Lovotti, Karim Mezran, Alissa Pavia

A decade has passed since the last elections were held in Libya, and the country remains mired in a stalemate and deeply divided.
Libya Middle East
all in-depth research

Podcasts

Guns for Hire by the North Africa Initiative

Guns for hire

The Guns for Hire podcast is a production of the Atlantic Council’s North Africa Initiative. Taking Libya as its starting point, it examines the causes and implications of the growing use of mercenaries in armed conflict and what it means for the future of the international system

Explore the podcast
China-MENA Podcast by the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

China-MENA Podcast

The China-MENA podcast is created by the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative and features conversations with academics, government leaders, academics, and the policy community. The podcast sheds light on the growing role that China is playing in the Middle East, and it will be of particular relevance to the US policy community.

Explore the podcast

Explore our online publications

MENASource

MENASource follows movements across the region and provides news and analysis on current events, including a platform for Middle Eastern perspectives, among others, on major issues—economic, political, security, cultural—that are at stake in the post-Arab Spring era.  

IranSource

IranSource provides a holistic look at Iran’s internal dynamics, global and regional policies, and posture through unique analysis of current events and long-term, strategic issues related to Iran.

Our inspiration

The Atlantic Council’s work on social, economic and human development issues in the Middle East honors the legacy of Rafik Hariri and his life’s mission to unlock the human and economic potential of the Arab world.

The Atlantic Council’s work on Middle East security honors the legacy of Brent Scowcroft and his tireless efforts to build a new security architecture for the region.

Leadership

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Staff

Gissou Nia

Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Corruption

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Staff

Emilia Pierce

Deputy Director, Operations and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Conflict

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Staff

Karim Mezran

Director, Resident Senior Fellow, North Africa Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

Racha Helwa

Director, empowerME Initiative

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

Sarah Zaaimi

Deputy Director, Communications

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Fellow

Qutaiba Idlbi

Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions Entrepreneurship

Staff

Holly Dagres

Editor, MENASource and IranSource

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Corruption
ALl middle east staff

Upcoming events

We convene the most important stakeholders on issues of primary concern to the transatlantic community when it comes the Middle East and North Africa, from senior US and Middle East government officials to civil society activists and budding entrepreneurs.

Past events

Online Event Mon, November 18, 2024 • 10:00 am ET

Jordan’s startup scene: Challenges and opportunities facing women entrepreneurs
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship Middle East Technology & Innovation
Public Event Wed, November 27, 2024 • 12:30 am ET

The WIn Fellowship: Driving tomorrow’s innovations through entrepreneurship
Economy & Business Middle East Technology & Innovation Women
Online Event Tue, October 15, 2024 • 12:00 pm ET

Entrepreneurship and innovation: How Saudi women are leading the way
Economy & Business Inclusive Growth Middle East Technology & Innovation
Online Event Tue, October 8, 2024 • 1:30 pm ET

The future of US strategy toward Iran: A bipartisan roadmap for the next administration
Iran Middle East
Public Event

For Woman, Life, Freedom: Iran Digital Archive Coalition
Iran Middle East
Online Event Thu, September 5, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

China’s changing approach to the Middle East
China Economy & Business International Norms Middle East
Online Event Wed, September 18, 2024 • 11:00 am ET

Inaugural discussion: The state of women’s entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship Middle East Technology & Innovation
Online Event Tue, May 21, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

Exploring investment opportunities in northwest Syria
Conflict Economic Sanctions Economy & Business Financial Regulation
Online Event Tue, May 7, 2024 • 10:00 am ET

Report launch: A plan for postwar Gaza
Israel Middle East Security & Defense
Online Event Mon, April 22, 2024 • 10:30 am ET

A new nexus: How can we understand Russia and Iran’s unprecedented cooperation?
Defense Technologies Drones Iran Middle East
ALL EVENTS

Stay Updated

Experts

Fellow

Diana Rayes 

Nonresident senior fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Hind Kabawat

Nonresident senior fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Julie Recinos

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Human Rights

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Adam Kozloski

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Indo-Pacific Middle East

Fellow

Adel Hamaizia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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Content

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2024

A blueprint for bringing about a new Syria

By Kirsten Fontenrose

For a reconstruction strategy in Syria to be effective, all parties must adopt a unified approach that is clear-eyed about the country’s new leaders.

Crisis Management International Organizations

MENASource

Dec 10, 2024

Where Syria goes next after the fall of Assad

By Frederic C. Hof

The departure of Bashar al-Assad from Syria and the implosion of his regime is, for me, easily the most pleasant geopolitical surprise of the twenty-first century. Twenty million Syrians face continued tough times as men with weapons try to sort out what is next in terms of governance. But there is but one absolute certainty: With […]

Conflict Middle East

In the News

Dec 10, 2024

Charai in The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Assad’s Downfall: A Turning Point in the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Dec 9, 2024

Dispatch from Doha: Assad’s fall, Iran’s weakness, and the impact of unintended consequences

By Jonathan Panikoff

In just six months, Iran has slid from a position of strength to perhaps the weakest it has been since 1979.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Dec 9, 2024

Advancing US national security through Middle East AI negotiations 

By Akash Wasil

Leading negotiations around global AI standards can help the United States manage security risks and ensure that emerging frameworks align with its values and interests.

Artificial Intelligence Middle East

Fast Thinking

Dec 8, 2024

Assad has fallen. Now what?

By Atlantic Council

The power shift in Syria will reverberate across the Middle East and the world. Our experts explain what's next.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Dec 6, 2024

What lies ahead for the Israel-Hamas war—and what the United States should do about it 

By Doug Livermore

As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to evolve, the incoming Donald Trump administration will need to adopt a nuanced and forward-looking approach that builds upon prior efforts to avoid further destabilization.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2024

Could Syria’s rebels take Damascus?

By Qutaiba Idlbi

Controlling Aleppo was a big deal for the Syrian rebels, and taking Hama was an even bigger achievement. But Damascus remains the real prize.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Dec 5, 2024

A ceasefire happened in Lebanon, but Israel seems to have missed the memo

By Nicholas Blanford

Within hours of the 4 a.m. ceasefire coming into force, Israeli troops inside Lebanon opened fire at vehicles as tens of thousands of Lebanese who had earlier fled the fighting attempted to return to their homes.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Dec 5, 2024

What does Turkey gain from the rebel offensive in Syria?

By Ömer Özkizilcik

The rebel offensive took many by surprise, but analysts familiar with the situation in Syria were aware that the rebels were prepared to launch it by mid-October.

Conflict Crisis Management
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