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.

Meet our blogs

All commentary & analysis

MENASource

Feb 17, 2023

Hospitals under fire: how Europe can learn resilience from the Israeli experience

By Yoel Har-Even

To ensure they can provide care in the face of these adversities, European hospitals are learning to prioritize hospital resilience, which can be defined as the ability to withstand and quickly recover from attacks.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Feb 16, 2023

Fatma Said: Meet the soprano bridging the West and Arab world with her voice

By Holly Dagres

Egyptian opera singer Fatma Said was awarded the Rafik Hariri Artistic Excellence Award on February 14, 2023. The soprano was interviewed by our MENASource editor about her life and achievements.

Middle East North Africa

Transcript

Feb 15, 2023

Brett McGurk sets out the ‘Biden doctrine’ for the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

In a keynote speech at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Awards, the White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa explains the Biden administration’s strategy in the region.

Iran Iraq

MENASource

Feb 15, 2023

The case for a Western initiative in Northeast Syria: A European perspective

By Michel Duclos

The time has come for the United States and its core allies on the Syrian issue—foremost among them France and the United Kingdom—to adopt a robust initiative toward northeast Syria.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Feb 10, 2023

If well managed, Italy and Algeria could build a strong and viable geo-economic bridge between both shores of the Med

By Abdelkader Abderrahmane

Surfing on special ties and the war in Ukraine, Italy and Algeria have undoubtedly spotted an opportunity to further strengthen their economic and geopolitical relationship. 

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Event Recap

Feb 9, 2023

Redefining the meaning of ‘failure’ in policies and culture to promote business risk

By Amira Attia

On January 24th, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a discussion about destigmatizing failure and promoting business risk through policies and culture.

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

IranSource

Feb 9, 2023

Forty-four years of an Islamic Republic. Many now regret the 1979 revolution.

By Shahin Milani

While there are disagreements over many aspects of the 1979 revolution, most Iranians agree that the country is in a far worse situation because of it.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Feb 9, 2023

In Syria, the earthquake ‘did what the Assad regime and Russians wanted to do to us all along’

By Arwa Damon

While aid increasingly flows into Turkey from around the world by air, land, and sea, areas on the other side of the border in Syria’s rebel-controlled areas are seeing none of that.

Civil Society Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Feb 7, 2023

The UAE and Israel have a history of strong female leadership. Women must take substantial roles in the next phase of the Abraham Accords.

By Marcy Grossman

To have a sustained and enduring peace in the region after the signing of the Abraham Accords, women must also be equally included and reflected in policy-making, decision-making, and programming.

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2023

Experts react: How the world should respond to the devastating earthquake in Turkey

By Atlantic Council experts

How can the international community help? What will the impact be for a region already reeling from a decade-long war and refugee crisis?

Corruption Economy & Business