Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

As the threat of conflict grows, Khamenei’s son is back in the spotlight

By Marjan Keypour

Mojtaba Khamenei's silence was broken in what was described as an unprecedented event.

From Dushanbe to Berlin: The emerging ISIS-K threat

By Morgan Tadych

Addressing some of these systemic issues may reduce ISIS-K’s ability to recruit from Tajikistan and ultimately decrease the group’s ability to conduct external operations.

The countdown to Nasrallah’s assassination began with Majdal Shams

By David Daoud

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah signed his death warrant on July 27.

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.

One year after Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attacks, here’s how the region has changed

By Atlantic Council experts

One year on, the Gaza War remains unresolved and the potential for war across the region is becoming more likely. Atlantic Council experts take on questions about the war's impact—and its future.

As Saied increases his grip on power, Tunisia’s democracy is being squeezed

By Karim Mezran, Alissa Pavia

Tunisia's president has cleared the field for his reelection on October 6. His increasing hold on power is raising critical questions about the country's future.

Israel has lost its patience

By Nicholas Blanford

Since September 16, Israel has removed the gloves to stage a massive aerial bombing campaign targeting Hezbollah's top political and military leadership and weapons sites to force the Iran-backed group to yield and redeploy its forces away from Lebanon’s southern border.

How American diplomacy can stabilize Lebanon—and the Middle East

By Daniel E. Mouton

As Israeli military operations focus on clearing Hezbollah fighters and weapons in southern Lebanon and Iran weighs additional attacks, US diplomacy must work to define the end point for the current escalation.

What is Iran thinking now?

By Atlantic Council

Tehran launched nearly two hundred missiles at Israel on Tuesday. Atlantic Council experts consider the ways that the barrage—which was largely ineffectual—offers a window into Iranian thinking.

Iran has a strategy for Israel. Now Israel needs one for Iran.

By Alan Pino

Israel needs a long-term plan that can secure regional cooperation, rehabilitate its international image, maintain the support of the United States, and give the Israeli people hope of a future without endless war.