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

MENASource

Nov 13, 2025

Moses parts the Red Sea: Israel’s strategic challenges as new routes emerge

By Amit Yarom

A new $4 billion bridge across the Strait of Tiran could upend plans to physically integrate Israel into the Middle East.

Economy & Business
Israel

New Atlanticist

Nov 11, 2025

Two views on the Syrian president’s visit to the White House—and what’s next 

By Arwa Damon, Ömer Özkizilcik

US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office on November 10, less than a year since the Assad regime collapsed.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Nov 10, 2025

A little-discussed point in Trump’s Gaza plan could be an opportunity to build interfaith understanding

By Peter Mandaville

Peace efforts don’t need more gleaming Abrahamic baubles, they need a genuine commitment to supporting grassroots religious peacebuilding.

Civil Society
Freedom and Prosperity

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.

Elections
Iraq

MENASource

Nov 10, 2025

The Nile at a crossroads: Navigating the GERD dispute as Egypt’s floodwaters rise

By Alessia Melcangi

The latest escalation between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia coincides with a diplomatic shift from the United States.

Africa
Climate Change & Climate Action

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Nov 9, 2025

Tracking Iraq’s 2025 elections and coalition building

By Victoria J. Taylor, Nibras Basitkey, and Daniah Jarrah

Keep up with what our experts want you to know about the Iraqi elections and the coalition building that follows.

Elections
Iraq

MENASource

Nov 7, 2025

The important change needed in UNSC’s Gaza resolution: Control over the money

By Thomas S. Warrick

Taking the money away from Hamas is the best nonmilitary way to ensure Hamas is unable to rebuild and rearm.

International Norms
International Organizations

MENASource

Nov 7, 2025

Kazakhstan joins the Abraham Accords—and redefines the geography of peace

By Joseph Epstein

While some have dismissed an expansion to Central Asia as “largely symbolic” this interpretation overlooks deeper implications.

Central Europe
Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2025

Experts react: Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords. Here’s what that means for the US, the Middle East, and Central Asia

By Atlantic Council experts

President Donald Trump announced the news during a White House meeting with Kazakh President Kassym Jomart-Tokayev and other Central Asian leaders. Our experts break down the implications.

Central Asia
Israel

MENASource

Nov 5, 2025

Why China is here to stay in Iraq’s energy sector

By Jared Levy and Ben Van Heuvelen

Regardless of the specific makeup of the next Iraqi government, it is likely that Chinese firms will continue to enjoy an advantage.

Elections
Iraq
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