Middle East Programs Commentary & Analysis

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

Through our Middle East Programs, 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

Testimony

Mar 18, 2021

Fontenrose testifies to House Foreign Affairs Committee on human rights in Saudi Arabia

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Middle East Security Director, Kirsten Fontenrose testifies to House Foreign Affairs Committee on human rights in Saudi Arabia.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Mar 18, 2021

The real threat to modern Israel

By Dan Perry

The March 23 election could emerge as an inflection point because Haredi behavior during the coronavirus pandemic has underscored divisions, deepened mutual disdain, and convinced many Israelis things cannot continue as they are.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Mar 18, 2021

Khamenei may show more ‘heroic flexibility’ after Iranian elections

By Anonymous

The Supreme Leader expects the Biden administration to return to the JCPOA on Iranian terms. However, he is ready to wait for a few more months to achieve an equally if not more important domestic political objective: replacing Rouhani with a more hardline figure.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Mar 17, 2021

Down the rabbit hole of Israel’s electoral wonderland

By Shalom Lipner

Nothing is certain at this point other than the fact that Israel's leadership is up for grabs. It will be ugly and could conceivably end in a stalemate.

Elections Israel

MENASource

Mar 16, 2021

The many paths to Syrian-Israeli reconciliation

By Samir Altaqi

A reported January meeting between several senior Syrian, Israeli, and Russian intelligence officers in Syria failed to advance bilateral discussions between the parties despite allegedly being attended by Bashar Al-Assad.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Mar 16, 2021

Larijani has credentials but not charisma as Iran’s presidential candidate

By Barbara Slavin

Ali Larijani is a veteran official in the Islamic Republic whose long service in a variety of key posts would make him a plausible—if not especially charismatic—candidate in Iran’s upcoming June 18 presidential elections.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Mar 15, 2021

Here’s how Amman can boost women’s workforce participation

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Jordan must climb out of an economic pit exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. One key to promoting long-term economic growth is achieving greater female labor force participation.

Economy & Business Education

IranSource

Mar 12, 2021

This Iranian pop song is “more dangerous than polio”

By Holly Dagres

In the days following the release of the 'Tehran Tokyo' teaser, Iranian politicians and conservatives called for the video to be censored because they claimed that it presented pornography to children.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Mar 12, 2021

Hezbollah is using propaganda to cover its deterrence deficit with Israel

By David Daoud

Hezbollah won’t necessarily suspend all operations against its archenemy, but it will have to deftly navigate both Lebanon’s predicaments and its support base’s expectations.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Mar 9, 2021

US, Israel, and GCC perspectives on China-MENA relations

By Jonathan Fulton, Eyal Propper, and Ahmed Fahmy

The Abraham Accords signed between the UAE and Bahrain and Israel consolidates the US-led regional alliance. However, they also underscore prospects for closer China-Gulf-Israel cooperation in the economic, trade, and technological spheres.

China Israel
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