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.

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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.

All commentary & analysis

IranSource

May 19, 2021

Iran sanctions relief will continue funding the ongoing war in Syria

By Kenan Rahmani and Cameron Khansarinia

As the Joe Biden administration negotiates a potential return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in Vienna, Tehran’s backing of the Bashar al-Assad regime should not be left off the table.

Iran
Middle East

MENASource

May 18, 2021

Factbox: Iranian presence in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province

By Navvar Saban

Since the beginning of 2018, Iran has been directly involved in the battle against ISIS in eastern Syria. Through its participation, Iran has been able to carry out its expansion project specifically in Deir ez-Zor, a province bordering Iraq that is troubled by a fragile security situation.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

IranElections2021

May 18, 2021

For Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s presidency is a step toward Supreme Leader

By Anonymous

For Ebrahim Raisi, an election win also puts him one step closer to the real top job in Iran.

Iran
Middle East

IranSource

May 13, 2021

Iran’s ‘reformists’ contemplate their post-election future

By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Amin Naeni

It would require a miracle to revive the fortune of the reformists or moderates based on the current attitude of many Iranians.

Elections
Iran

MENASource

May 13, 2021

The escalation between Israel and Hamas: What’s new—and what’s not

By Shalom Lipner

While the intensity of the fighting appears to have caught some veteran practitioners of Middle East conflict and diplomacy by surprise, a trail of discernable factors led to this fraught outcome.

Israel
Middle East

Fast Thinking

May 12, 2021

FAST THINKING: How bad will Israeli-Palestinian violence get?

By Atlantic Council

Is an all-out war brewing? What does this mean for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future? What role will regional and global powers now play in the confrontation? From Washington to Jerusalem, our experts are here to weigh in.

Cybersecurity
Energy & Environment

MENASource

May 11, 2021

Co-opting cybersecurity in Egypt

By Bassant Hassib and James Shires

Cybersecurity is one of several frequent and overlapping justifications for censorship by the Egyptian government, in addition to strengthened counterterrorism and media regulation.

Digital Policy
Middle East

MENASource

May 10, 2021

Want resiliency in MENA? Invest in women-led startups

By Nadereh Chamlou

As MENA assesses how to rebuild better after the pandemic, women-led startups could be part of the solution.

Economy & Business
Middle East

IranSource

May 7, 2021

Iran’s presidential elections don’t matter. Here’s why.

By Shahin Milani

While the final list of candidates will not be announced by the Guardian Council before May 26, it can be said with certainty that whoever emerges victorious will not have a material impact on Iran’s domestic or foreign policy.

Iran
Middle East

IranSource

May 6, 2021

Supreme Leader directly intervenes in Iran’s June vote

By Anonymous

Khamenei’s interventions might have helped the hardliners camp eliminate its strongest competition but he definitely has not been able to resolve the big differences and gaps inside his own camp to bring its top figures into agreement on a single candidate.

Elections
Iran
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