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 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
Public Event Fri, April 19, 2024 • 2:30 pm ET

Iraq’s prime minister on building a stronger relationship with the United States

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, the prime minister of Iraq, discusses his state visit to the United States.
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, March 27, 2024 • 2:00 pm ET

POSTPONED — The rising crackdown on free speech and fundamental rights in Saudi Arabia
Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Middle East
ALL EVENTS

Stay Updated

Experts

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

Expert

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

Staff

Emilia Pierce

Deputy Director, Operations and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Conflict
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Content

Podcast

Oct 23, 2024

Sledgehammer: The Wagner cult in Syria

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 6 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi chats with defense researcher Jack Margolin about his new book on the Wagner Group. They focus on its operations in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the country’s central place within the Wagner subculture. They also discuss the ever-present profit motive […]

Conflict Crisis Management

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

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

In the News

Oct 21, 2024

Charai in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Elon Musk and The Allure of the American Spirit

By Atlantic Council

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Oct 17, 2024

After Sinwar’s death, what’s next for Iran’s Axis of Resistance?

By Atlantic Council

Israel's killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar raises big questions about the future of Iran's proxy groups. Our experts answer them.

Conflict Israel

New Atlanticist

Oct 17, 2024

Experts react: Yahya Sinwar is dead. Here’s what’s next for Hamas, Gaza, Israel, and the Middle East.

By Atlantic Council experts

Israel confirmed on Thursday that it had killed the Hamas leader. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what this means for the immediate conflict and beyond.

Conflict Israel

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

MENASource

Oct 15, 2024

Beijing is making inroads in North Africa

By Jonathan Fulton

There has been serious momentum in China’s Maghreb relations in areas that indicate long-term regional ambitions. 

Economy & Business Middle East

In the News

Oct 12, 2024

Charai in the National Interest: The US and Israel’s Path to Supporting the Iranian People’s Aspirations

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

IranSource

Oct 11, 2024

The Nasrallah killing is upending Iran’s security strategy. Here’s what to expect next.

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Tehran needs to decide whether it is ready to change its policy since October 7, 2023.

Conflict Iran
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