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.
Featured Initiatives
Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative
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. Our work in this area addresses the full range of security threats and challenges including the danger of interstate warfare, the role of terrorist groups and other nonstate actors, and the underlying security threats facing countries in the region.
Countries & Sub-regions in Focus
Syria
Our work on Syria sheds light on the ongoing struggle of Syrians to fulfill their desire for democratic self-governance as the United States and the international community grapple with the aftermath of a devastating civil war, millions of refugees across the Middle East and Europe, and ongoing security and political challenges spilling over Syria’s borders.
North Africa
The North Africa region holds strategic and political importance for the United States and Europe because of its geographical location in a critically strategic position at the crossroads between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The region has witnessed tumultuous uprisings, rising autocratic regimes, and glimmers of economic and political progress that warrant closer study.
Featured commentary & analysis
Our blogs feature thoughtful reflections and opinions on current events in the Middle East & North Africa.
Tue, Sep 29, 2020
Does the United States need an embassy in Baghdad?
Iraq remains a country of great importance to the United States and it would be foolish to deprive Washington of a tool for assessing and hopefully influencing conditions in Iraq.
MENASource by David Mack
Tue, Sep 29, 2020
Absence of PhD programs contributes to weak research and development in the Gulf
The production of new knowledge is a very complex process and many factors contribute to the low levels of innovation exhibited by the Gulf countries. One factor that plays a role is the structure of tertiary education—particularly PhD programs.
MENASource by
Tue, Sep 29, 2020
Five big questions as America votes: Middle East
In every US presidential election since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Middle East and North Africa has been a top foreign policy issue. The 2020 presidential election is no different.
Elections 2020 by
Featured 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.
Tue, Sep 29, 2020
The impact of COVID-19 on either shore of the Mediterranean
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on almost every nation of the world, creating new challenges and exacerbating preexisting ones. Attention has been focused on the health sector, as it was the first impacted by the pandemic. However, various actors rapidly utilized the effects of the health crisis for political purposes. At the same time, […]
Issue Brief by Karim Mezran, Emily Burchfield, Paolo Alli, Emadeddin Badi, Haykel Ben Mahfoudh, Alessia Melcangi
Thu, Sep 24, 2020
The chosen people vs. their chosen people
As Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s court trial and the Knesset’s deadline to negotiate a fiscal deal draw near, the Israeli government faces a crisis of accountability. A bloated bureaucracy and constant competition have impaired the government’s ability to formulate and implement sound diplomatic, security, and economic decisions. A new Atlantic Council issue brief, “The Chosen […]
Issue Brief by Shalom Lipner
Tue, Aug 25, 2020
Strangers to strategic partners: Thirty years of Sino-Saudi relations
This report begins with a brief historical overview of Sino-Saudi relations, it then discusses how the partnership has developed, and ends with an analysis of the bi- lateral relationship within the context of the US-Sino-Saudi triangle.
In-Depth Research & Reports by Jonathan Fulton
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.
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