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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.

empowerME

empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is shaping solutions to empower entrepreneurs, women, and youth and building coalitions of public and private partnerships to drive regional economic integration, prosperity, and job creation.

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

Iran

We provide pragmatic recommendations for a more constructive US-Iran relationship that addresses the current security challenges facing the US and its allies and the security and socio-economic challenges facing Iran.

Iraq

The Iraq Initiative addresses the current security challenges Iraq faces and identifies policies that will unlock Iraq’s potential to develop the drivers of any successful society: inclusive politics, economic development, and a vibrant civil society.

Gulf

As many of the Arab Gulf states make strides to reduce their dependence on oil and implement social and economic reforms, they continue to face political and security challenges from external and internal threats.

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.

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Meet our blogs

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

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

MENASource Jan 21, 2022

The Biden administration’s Syria policy sets a path towards disengagement. Here’s why it’s problematic.

By Abdulrahman al-Masri, Reem Salahi

It appears that the Joe Biden administration isn’t only deprioritizing Syria due to a cramped foreign policy agenda, but more clearly pronouncing a lack of strategic interest and an official approach of disengagement.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

IranSource Jan 20, 2022

Under Ebrahim Raisi, Iran and Turkey may be entering a new phase of bilateral ties

By Hossein Aghaie Joobani

While Iran and Turkey may have too many geopolitical differences, both are expected to maintain their compartmentalization strategy so that divergences of interests at the regional level do not irreparably harm the core of bilateral relations.
Europe & Eurasia Iran
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

New Atlanticist Jan 14, 2022

Germany has sentenced a Syrian colonel to life for crimes against humanity. Will others face the same fate?

Now that Anwar Raslan is behind bars, activists are hoping his conviction paves the way for other bad actors of the Syrian regime to be prosecuted.
Conflict International Norms
all commentary & analysis

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 Jan 13, 2022

Iranians on #SocialMedia

By Holly Dagres

This report by the Future of Iran Initiative and Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) explores the social media habits of Iranian netizens and how the Islamic Republic is repressing the online space.
Economic Sanctions Human Rights
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Issue Brief Dec 15, 2021

Doing it his way: How Naftali Bennett could beat the odds and wind up transforming Israel

By Shalom Lipner

Israel is experiencing the throes of growing pain. After the uninterrupted, twelve-year reign of Benjamin Netanyahu – whom many Israelis considered irreplaceable as the country's prime minister – Israelis have a new chief. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, virtually unknown on the global stage, is moving through this uncharted territory ambitiously.
Elections Israel
Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Report Oct 26, 2021

North Africa 2030: What the future holds for the region

By Frederick Kempe, Giampiero Massolo, Yahia Zoubir, Abdelkader Abderrahmane, Pietro Gagliardi, Guillaume Biganzoli, Aldo Liga, Nader Kabbani, Nejla Ben Mimoune, Hannah Abdullah, Karim Elgendy, Shlomo Roiter Jesner, Jay Mens, Armando Sanguini, Karim Mezran, and Alissa Pavia

In the last decade, several events redefined North Africa’s heterogeneous character and identity. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Arab spring, but most of the root causes fueling the unrest remain unaddressed.
Middle East North Africa
all in-depth research

Leadership

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Staff

Tuqa Nusairat

Director for Strategy, Operations, and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Staff

Amjad Ahmad

Director and Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business
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.

Online Event Wed, January 26, 2022 • 10:00 am ET

Influence without entanglement? China’s evolving role in the Middle East
China Economy & Business Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Past events

Online Event Wed, January 26, 2022 • 10:00 am ET

Influence without entanglement? China’s evolving role in the Middle East
China Economy & Business Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
ALL EVENTS

Sign up to receive invitations to public events on issues related to the Middle East and North Africa.



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Experts

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Rayhan Asat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Fellow

Sina Azodi

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control China

Staff

Elise Baker

Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Emadeddin Badi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict
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Content

MENASource

Jan 21, 2022

The Biden administration’s Syria policy sets a path towards disengagement. Here’s why it’s problematic.

By Abdulrahman al-Masri, Reem Salahi

It appears that the Joe Biden administration isn’t only deprioritizing Syria due to a cramped foreign policy agenda, but more clearly pronouncing a lack of strategic interest and an official approach of disengagement.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Jan 20, 2022

Under Ebrahim Raisi, Iran and Turkey may be entering a new phase of bilateral ties

By Hossein Aghaie Joobani

While Iran and Turkey may have too many geopolitical differences, both are expected to maintain their compartmentalization strategy so that divergences of interests at the regional level do not irreparably harm the core of bilateral relations.

Europe & Eurasia Iran

MENASource

Jan 18, 2022

Is the GCC ready to embrace sustainable finance?

By Dominik Treeck, Mustafa Domanic, and Hendrik Wittrock

To avoid falling behind on their grand economic growth ambitions, Gulf Cooperation Council countries should act decisively by putting sustainable finance policies at the top of their agendas.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2022

Germany has sentenced a Syrian colonel to life for crimes against humanity. Will others face the same fate?

Now that Anwar Raslan is behind bars, activists are hoping his conviction paves the way for other bad actors of the Syrian regime to be prosecuted.

Conflict International Norms

MENASource

Jan 14, 2022

Where is the United States? Military basing and energy are the real prizes in Libya.

By Matthew Zais

It wasn’t a surprise to many that Libya’s long-awaited elections were postponed. As the elections approached, fundamental rules over presidential powers, who was allowed to be a candidate, and election enforcement mechanisms remained unclear.

Elections Libya

In the News

Jan 13, 2022

Dagres quoted in Washington Post on internet freedom in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Internet

Report

Jan 13, 2022

Iranians on #SocialMedia

By Holly Dagres

This report by the Future of Iran Initiative and Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) explores the social media habits of Iranian netizens and how the Islamic Republic is repressing the online space.

Economic Sanctions Human Rights

IranSource

Jan 11, 2022

Who’s on Iran’s current nuclear negotiating team? Some have controversial pasts.

By Mehrzad Boroujerdi

As nuclear talks in Vienna continue their halting progress, a look at the backgrounds of the key members of the Iranian negotiating team may help explain why it has been so difficult to revive the 2015 JCPOA.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jan 10, 2022

Azodi quoted in Defense News on Iran’s growing naval power

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Iran

In the News

Jan 10, 2022

Peek in Wall Street Journal: U.S. Mistakes Fed Putin’s Ukraine Temptation

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management
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