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

China-MENA Podcast

Jun 16, 2022

Chinese Tech in North Africa

By Atlantic Council

Tin Hinane joins us to discuss Chinese Tech in North Africa, China’s attempt to dominate the digital space in North Africa via tech giants such as Huawei and Alibaba, and the Digital Silk Road.

China Digital Policy

Event Recap

Jun 15, 2022

The Middle East and North Africa in the New Geopolitical Disorder

By Otto Lanzavecchia

While the US seems to be disengaging from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which is rife with lingering tensions and subject to geopolitical turmoil, other external actors fill the void. All while the European Union (EU) mostly ignores the wider Mediterranean until it becomes impossible to ignore. An expert panel held by the Atlantic Council and the Med-Or Foundation in Rome delved into the drivers and strategic reasons behind the region’s newfound centrality on May 31, 2022.

Crisis Management Democratic Transitions

Event Recap

Jun 14, 2022

Promoting more women in leadership is “a business imperative” and key to unlocking economic prosperity, say top executives

By Allison Holle

On June 7, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on “Balance of power: Promoting more women in leadership.”

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

MENASource

Jun 14, 2022

Muqtada al-Sadr just issued a mass resignation decree. Where does Iraq go from here?

By Abbas Kadhim

An early election won’t solve the Iraqi dilemma.

Elections Iraq

IranSource

Jun 14, 2022

Iran is now a transit transportation hub for neighboring countries. Here’s how it happened.

By Borzou Daragahi

Since the Iran trade route was opened in October 2021, roughly one thousand trucks have made the trip between Turkey and the UAE, mostly carrying goods from west to east.

Economy & Business Iran

IranSource

Jun 13, 2022

Israel’s policy toward Iran is failing by ‘a thousand cuts.’ Here’s why.

By Danny Citrinowicz  

There is a growing gap between the statements of senior Israeli officials and the reality on the ground.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2022

Proxy war or not, Ukraine shows why moral hazards matter

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Whether NATO and Ukraine are proxy partners matters less than whether they can manage the risks associated with their relationship.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Jun 9, 2022

Israel, guess who’s back? Netanyahu is back again.

By Amichai Stein

Yes, Israel might go, once again, to an early election, the fifth since 2019.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jun 8, 2022

Trade trumps strategic competition in the Middle East

By Jonathan Fulton

Washington would do well to understand that many outside the US have a different view of China, and very few are interested in being a theater of strategic competition. 

China Economy & Business

IranSource

Jun 8, 2022

‘From Cinema Rex to Metropol,’ Iranians have had enough

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

On May 23, a ten-story commercial tower came crashing down on people’s heads in Abadan. With each body recovered from the ruins, public anger crescendoed, leading to ongoing street protests in multiple areas in Khuzestan province and beyond.

Iran Middle East
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