Featured Initiatives

Regions in focus

commentary & analysis

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

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.

Podcasts

Explore our online publications

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

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

Stay Updated

Content

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

Oct 10, 2025

Can the Jordan-Israel peace treaty survive damage done from the Gaza War?

By Amir Asmar

Decisions made in coming days will help determine the extent to which Israel has pushed important alliances to the brink.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Oct 9, 2025

Amid Gaza cease-fire hope, where does the Egypt-Israel relationship stand?

By Shahira Amin

Israel’s Doha strike shifted the dynamics with Cairo—stemming from concerns that Egypt may be next in Israel's crosshairs.

Israel Middle East

Fast Thinking

Oct 8, 2025

Israel and Hamas just struck a ‘phase one’ deal to return hostages. Is the end of the war near?

By Atlantic Council

In this initial phase, Hamas will return living hostages, while Israel will begin to pull back its forces in the Gaza Strip.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Oct 7, 2025

‘Bread and circuses’ no more: Morocco’s Gen Z rejects spectacle politics

By Sarah Zaaimi

The youth-led demonstrations make clear that Morocco stands at a crossroads between spectacle and substance.

Africa Civil Society

MENASource

Oct 7, 2025

The SpaceBelt KSA-iRocket deal marks Saudi Arabia’s next leap into space

By Manal Fatima

The SpaceBelt KSA case offers insights for other foreign aerospace and tech firms considering partnerships in the Gulf.

Security & Defense Space

MENASource

Oct 6, 2025

To preserve ‘Rising Lion’s’ achievements, Israel must support an Iran nuclear deal

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Despite Israel's desire to solve its problems "by force of the sword", an agreement, not a renewed war, serves Israel's interests better.

Conflict Nuclear Deterrence

MENASource

Oct 6, 2025

Can Iraq and Kuwait transform the Khor Abdullah waterway dispute into a regional diplomacy model?

By Rami Alkhafaji and Safwan Al-Amin

The dispute underscores the complexities of post-conflict border demarcation— and how legal disputes may multiply into geopolitical ones.

Iraq Maritime Security

Fast Thinking

Oct 3, 2025

Hamas just agreed to release all remaining hostages. What does that mean for the Trump peace plan?

By Atlantic Council

On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all of the remaining hostages that the militant group captured during its October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel. Our experts share their perspectives on what this means for a potential cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Oct 3, 2025

US, Italy, and Turkey alignment could push the needle in Libya

By Frank Talbot and Karim Mezran

The US, Italy and Turkey can—through balanced diplomacy—reinforce the economic opportunities presented by institutional unification in Libya.

Italy Libya