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.

Learn more

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

Dec 17, 2021

2021: A year in the Middle East

By Holly Dagres

2021 was a year full of impactful elections, historic anniversaries, and new challenges for the Middle East and North Africa.

Iran Iraq

MENASource

Dec 17, 2021

Israel pumps up the volume on Iran

By Shalom Lipner

The commencement of multilateral talks in Vienna has brought various Israeli voices to a fever pitch, with the negotiations on a possible return to the JCPOA triggering a storm of undiplomatic pronouncements from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other senior Israeli officials.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Dec 16, 2021

Libya’s elections are on December 24. But should they be postponed?

By Karim Mezran

While electing representative governments may seem to be the most effective way to achieve greater freedom to many Western democracies, there are reasons to believe that holding elections in Libya now may create more violence after a decade of civil war.

Elections Libya

Fast Thinking

Dec 14, 2021

FAST THINKING: What the US-UAE arms dispute reveals about influence in the Gulf

By Atlantic Council

Can these partners resolve their differences? Our defense insiders swooped in with their insights.

Defense Technologies Security & Defense

IranSource

Dec 14, 2021

What happens if Iran nuclear talks collapse?

By Masoud Mostajabi

On December 9, the Atlantic Council’s Future of Iran Initiative (FOII) held a virtual public event on whether a ‘Plan B’ exists in the event the nuclear talks fail.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Dec 13, 2021

Iran’s water is running dry. Now its water woes are worsening.

By Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

With the Islamic Republic disregarding the environmental and human costs of erratic development projects, coupled with the climate catastrophe that the world is facing, Iran has plunged headlong into a crisis with no safe shore in sight.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Dec 8, 2021

China is the real barometer of the state of Iran nuclear talks in Vienna

By Jacopo Scita

China, which played an important if secondary role during the final leg of nuclear negotiations during 2013-2015, is the most suited of the P4+1—Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia—to exert effective leverage to bring Tehran back to compliance now.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Dec 7, 2021

Iran’s allies lost seats in the Iraqi elections. Now Tehran is recalibrating its strategy.

By Anonymous

Many analysts have interpreted the results of recent Iraqi parliamentary elections on October 10 as a sign of diminishing Iranian influence, but the reality is more nuanced.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Dec 6, 2021

Iran offers less for more as Vienna talks stall

By Barbara Slavin

More than five months after multilateral nuclear talks with Iran were paused before the country’s presidential elections in June, a new negotiating team arrived in Vienna in late November with additional demands and fewer concessions than its predecessors.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Dec 2, 2021

The failed assassination attempt on PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi is a reminder of Iraq’s deferred priorities

By Abbas Kadhim

The Iraqi government correctly recognized that the response to this assault on democracy shouldn’t involve unconstitutional and extra-judicial means, as this would essentially be aiding the perpetrators—whoever they might be—in accomplishing what they failed to impose by violence.

Iraq Middle East
Load More