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Middle East Programs

Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East and Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Explore THE PROGRAM

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.

All commentary & analysis

<img loading="lazy" width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-16T121058Z_373453779_RC2ZQZ98GJOV_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-IRAN-AGREEMENT-1-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-16T121058Z_373453779_RC2ZQZ98GJOV_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-IRAN-AGREEMENT-1-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-16T121058Z_373453779_RC2ZQZ98GJOV_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-IRAN-AGREEMENT-1-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

China-MENA Podcast

US Perceptions of China’s Middle East Presence

By Atlantic Council

Dr. Julian Gewirtz and Chris Backemeyer join us to provide unique insights from a US perspective on the potential implications of China’s growing presence in the Middle East and its efforts to replace US dominance on global governance, as well as the priorities of the US in the MENA region.

China East Asia

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-27T095359Z_1149744730_RC2920A8MA6I_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-POLITICS-JUDICIARY-PROTESTS-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-27T095359Z_1149744730_RC2920A8MA6I_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-POLITICS-JUDICIARY-PROTESTS-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-27T095359Z_1149744730_RC2920A8MA6I_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-POLITICS-JUDICIARY-PROTESTS-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

New Atlanticist

Experts react: Netanyahu just delayed his judicial overhaul after mass protests. What’s next for Israel’s democracy?

By Atlantic Council experts

What’s next for Israel and its relations with the world? Our experts offer their insight.

Israel Middle East

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Unknown-500x350.jpeg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Unknown-500x350.jpeg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Unknown-1000x700.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

Event Recap

Trajectories of Iraqi youth two decades after the 2003 invasion: Between aspirations and reality

By Britt Gronemeyer

On March 20, 2023, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative hosted a discussion with a number of young Iraqi civil society activists and prospective leaders to reflect on the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Economy & Business Education

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2008-12-10T120000Z_114784167_GM1E4CA0NHV01_RTRMADP_3_IRAQ-BLACKS-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2008-12-10T120000Z_114784167_GM1E4CA0NHV01_RTRMADP_3_IRAQ-BLACKS-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2008-12-10T120000Z_114784167_GM1E4CA0NHV01_RTRMADP_3_IRAQ-BLACKS-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

MENASource

Black Iraqis have been invisible for a long time. Their vibrant culture and struggle must be recognized.

By Sarah Zaaimi

Black Iraqis are not only living on the geographical margins of urban agglomerations but also on the margins of society and its structures.

Iraq Middle East

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MicrosoftTeams-image-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MicrosoftTeams-image-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MicrosoftTeams-image-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

MENASource

Qahwa with Saudi women entrepreneurs from the WIn fellowship

By Nour Dabboussi and Mahnaz Vahdati

On March 2, 2023, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative hosted a Twitter Space conversation with the WIn Fellows cohort.

Middle East Resilience & Society

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-11-04T122022Z_1588841097_RC2WEX9ZE1F8_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-RUSSIA-WAGNER-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-11-04T122022Z_1588841097_RC2WEX9ZE1F8_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-RUSSIA-WAGNER-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-11-04T122022Z_1588841097_RC2WEX9ZE1F8_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-RUSSIA-WAGNER-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

Podcast

Defeating the Wagner Group

By Alia Brahimi

Host and nonresident senior fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with author and former mercenary Dr. Sean McFate about his three-pronged strategy for defeating the Wagner Group.

Conflict Crisis Management

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2018-08-08T080934Z_498667496_RC142A9A6EC0_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-ARCHAEOLOGY-ARMAGEDDON-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2018-08-08T080934Z_498667496_RC142A9A6EC0_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-ARCHAEOLOGY-ARMAGEDDON-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2018-08-08T080934Z_498667496_RC142A9A6EC0_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-ARCHAEOLOGY-ARMAGEDDON-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

MENASource

Was Hezbollah behind the Megiddo bombing in Israel? If yes, it’s a new escalation.

By Nicholas Blanford

The suspect was shot dead when Israeli security forces intercepted him in a vehicle traveling close to the border with Lebanon.

Lebanon Middle East

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-16T121058Z_373453779_RC2ZQZ98GJOV_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-IRAN-AGREEMENT-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-16T121058Z_373453779_RC2ZQZ98GJOV_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-IRAN-AGREEMENT-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-16T121058Z_373453779_RC2ZQZ98GJOV_RTRMADP_3_SAUDI-IRAN-AGREEMENT-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

MENASource

China’s mediation between Saudi and Iran is no cause for panic in Washington

By Ahmed Aboudouh

The deal is a mere statement of intentions by both countries to improve relations, meaning reconciliation is not complete.

China East Asia

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-19T053748Z_86945832_RC2MQ86CZLNK_RTRMADP_3_IRAQ-ANNIVERSARY-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-19T053748Z_86945832_RC2MQ86CZLNK_RTRMADP_3_IRAQ-ANNIVERSARY-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-19T053748Z_86945832_RC2MQ86CZLNK_RTRMADP_3_IRAQ-ANNIVERSARY-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

New Atlanticist

Policy lessons from the Iraq War for those who wish to forget

By Ben Connable

A retired US Marine Corps officer who served in Iraq reflects on what went wrong, what went right, and what today’s leaders can learn.

Iraq Middle East

<img width="500" height="350" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-12T000000Z_1083820316_MT1NURPHO000B1TA6F_RTRMADP_3_DISASTER-SYRIA-500x350.jpg" class="attachment-500_350 size-500_350 wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-12T000000Z_1083820316_MT1NURPHO000B1TA6F_RTRMADP_3_DISASTER-SYRIA-500x350.jpg 500w, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-03-12T000000Z_1083820316_MT1NURPHO000B1TA6F_RTRMADP_3_DISASTER-SYRIA-1000x700.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />

MENASource

The earthquake in Syria: A crisis of nature and politics

By Samir Aita and Zedoun Alzoubi

Politics is the art of the possible, and the tragic earthquake has put Syria on the priority list again.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

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