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

Jul 13, 2023

Iran joining the SCO isn’t surprising. But Beijing’s promotion of illiberal norms in Eurasia should get more attention.

By Jonathan Fulton

Deeper coordination between Iran and other member states gives momentum to the China-centered illiberal order being promoted by Beijing.

China East Asia

IranSource

Jul 11, 2023

Why Khamenei’s son is not the next radical modernizer in the Middle East

By Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi

A cohort of regime elites are hoping that Mojtaba Khamenei will transform the Islamic Republic from above.

Iran Middle East

Event Recap

Jul 7, 2023

The mechanisms of corruption in Iran

By Masoud Mostajabi and Britt Gronemeyer

On June 13, the Atlantic Council’s Iran Strategy Project hosted a virtual event, “The Mechanisms of Corruption in Iran” to discuss the nature of corruption and sanctions in Iran as well as the social, economic, and political implications of these issues. The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative Director, Jonathan Panikoff conducted opening remarks, […]

Corruption Economic Sanctions

IranSource

Jul 7, 2023

Iran and Afghanistan are feuding over the Helmand River. The water wars have no end in sight.

By Holly Dagres

Fatemeh Aman, a non-resident senior fellow at MEI, on why the Islamic Republic and Taliban are bumping heads on transboundary water issues.

Afghanistan Climate Change & Climate Action

Podcast

Jul 7, 2023

Mercenary bloodline: The war in Sudan

By Alia Brahimi

Host and Nonresident Senior Fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with Africa experts Cameron Hudson and Munzoul Assal about the mercenary pedigree of the Rapid Support Forces.

Africa Conflict

IranSource

Jul 6, 2023

Hezbollah and Iran have opened a fourth battlefront: Inside Israel

By David Daoud

Critical as recent developments may prove, they obscure a more dangerous Hezbollah initiative to establish a proxy foothold inside Israel.

Iran Israel

Podcast

Jun 30, 2023

“What just happened?” The Wagner mutiny

By Alia Brahimi

Host and Nonresident Senior Fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with renowned Russia expert Mark Galeotti about the Wagner Group rebellion and what it means for Putin and beyond.

Conflict Crisis Management

IranSource

Jun 29, 2023

Could the IRGC pull a Wagner Group move in Iran? That’s what some Iranians are hoping for. 

By Holly Dagres

Many Iranians wondered what it meant for the Islamic Republic’s future if Russian President Vladimir Putin was taken down.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Jun 29, 2023

Egyptians aren’t racist. They’re frustrated with Western appropriation of their ancient history.

By Shahira Amin

Afrocentrists claim ancient Egypt was a predominantly black civilization, but this has been refuted by many Egyptians and their government.

Middle East Nationalism

MENASource

Jun 28, 2023

The Wagner rebellion is over—for now. But how will the events reverberate in the Middle East and North Africa?

By Mark N. Katz

The June 23-24 rebellion led by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin—aimed, he claimed, at replacing the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov (not Russian President Vladimir Putin)—has ended. However, reverberations from it are likely to continue being felt beyond Russia, such as in the Middle East and North […]

Conflict Europe & Eurasia
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