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

IranSource

Mar 20, 2024

Iran targeted human rights sanctions series: Understanding ‘terrorist organization’ designations in relation to the IRGC

By Celeste Kmiotek, Lisandra Novo

This post looks at how terrorist organization listings are decided, the consequences, and how these are related to targeted human rights sanctions.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

Event Recap

Mar 19, 2024

Justice and accountability in the MENA region: The importance of women’s stories

By Charles Johnson

On Wednesday, February 14, the Atlantic Council’s Strategic Litigation Project hosted a hybrid panel event about the crucial role women and their testimonies play in pursuit of justice and accountability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Human Rights Lebanon

MENASource

Mar 15, 2024

Turkey and Egypt bury the hatchet, marking an end to emerging third axis in the Middle East

By Borzou Daragahi

The carefully choreographed and worded meeting between Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, served as a final burial ceremony for what was once an emerging third axis in the Middle East.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Mar 14, 2024

Heaven can’t wait: Are Israel’s Haredi parties about to bring Netanyahu down?

By Shalom Lipner

Bringing this clash to its latest boil is a fast-approaching April 1 deadline for the Knesset to approve new legislation that would regulate the Haredi exclusion from the IDF draft.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Mar 13, 2024

For meaningful change in Iran, Khamenei has got to go

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

The supreme leader's death will provide people inside Iran and the diaspora with a historic chance to make a foray into fundamental change in the country.

Human Rights Iran

MENASource

Mar 8, 2024

Journalist Arwa Damon on conflict reporting: ‘You will leave a part of yourself behind’

By Holly Dagres

The multi-award-winning journalist was interviewed by our MENASource editor to discuss her recent projects, mental health in journalism, and the importance of effective storytelling.

Human Rights Middle East

New Atlanticist

Mar 7, 2024

Experts react: The big takeaways from Biden’s ‘no ordinary moment’ State of the Union

By Atlantic Council experts

The US president kicked off his address with a message for Putin and spoke about the crisis in Gaza, illegal immigration, his economic record, and more. Our experts break it all down.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Mar 7, 2024

While wars rage on, women wage peace in the Middle East

By Marcy Grossman

On International Women’s Day this year, the world needs more voices echoing the resounding calls for peace and justice in the face of ongoing conflicts.

Conflict Iraq

IranSource

Mar 6, 2024

A year ago, Beijing brokered an Iran-Saudi deal. How does détente look today?

By Giorgio Cafiero

Tehran and Riyadh saw dialogue as the only viable way to reduce tensions, and realized that further escalating hostilities would not advance either’s national interest. 

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Mar 6, 2024

Netanyahu might be losing ground, but his politics still resonate with most Israelis

By Ksenia Svetlova

Polls show that the Israeli public is torn on many issues, but trust in Netanyahu’s government is not one of them.

Israel Middle East
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