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
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

Public Event Tue, February 11, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

The role of AI in transforming Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship International Markets Middle East
Online Event Thu, December 19, 2024 • 12:30 pm ET

Putin loses in Syria. Is Russia in retreat?
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Middle East Russia
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
ALL EVENTS

Stay Updated

Experts

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

Staff

Emilia Pierce

Deputy Director, Operations and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Conflict

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Alexandra Lily Kather

Legal Advisor

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms
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Content

MENASource

Jan 21, 2025

The quest ahead for Lebanon’s new president: Secure a modern statehood

By Frederic C. Hof

Aoun knows what must be done to stabilize the Lebanon-Israel frontier. But the long game he wishes to contest and win centers on Lebanese statehood.

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

Jan 18, 2025

Why Saudi Arabia is so keen on the Turkish KAAN

By Ali Bakir

With Saudi Arabia previously keen on acquiring F-35 fighter jets from the United States, what has steered Riyadh toward Turkish technology?

Defense Industry Defense Policy

In the News

Jan 17, 2025

Charai in National Interest: Donald Trump and the New Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Transitions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 15, 2025

Experts react: Everything you need to know about the Israel-Hamas cease-fire and hostage deal

By Atlantic Council experts

Does this deal really mark the end of the war? What’s next for Gaza’s reconstruction, for Israel’s security, and for wider regional efforts, such as Israeli-Saudi normalization? Atlantic Council experts share their answers to these and other pressing questions.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Jan 15, 2025

As a new Syria takes shape, Iraq will need to recalibrate its role in the Middle East

By Abbas Kadhim

The Iraqi government must navigate several challenges, recalibrate its role in the region, and balance its foreign relations—including with the United States

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2025

US intervention against Mexican cartels carries major risks. Here’s how to mitigate them.

By Doug Livermore

Cartels have a significant capability to retaliate, but there are ways that the United States can prepare for such risks.

Crisis Management Mexico

MENASource

Jan 13, 2025

Turkey’s Syria and Libya strategies add up to a Mediterranean power play

By Emadeddin Badi and Abdullah al-Jabassini 

By aligning its strategies in Libya and Syria, Turkey seeks to consolidate influence and amplify its leverage across both theaters.

Defense Policy Drones

MENASource

Jan 10, 2025

To help build the new Syria, the US needs to better understand the Kurds and Arabs of the northeast

By Ömer Özkizilcik

Washington should take note of the complexities in the region and not be bound by the past. The security of the entire region is at stake.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Jan 9, 2025

Can Lebanon’s new president stabilize a country in crisis?

By Nicholas Blanford

Amid deep uncertainty over the futures of Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the Middle East, the newest Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, was elected on January 9.

Conflict Lebanon

MENASource

Jan 8, 2025

What’s behind Egypt and China’s ‘golden decade’ of partnership

By Jonathan Fulton

China’s outreach to Egypt has not happened in a vacuum but rather as part of a larger strategy to make Beijing a more important actor in the Middle East and North Africa.  

China Economy & Business
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