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

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2021

How Colin Powell was ahead of his time

By Andrew L. Peek

The Powell Doctrine would have been more at home in the next Republican administration than his own.

Defense Policy Security & Defense

Fast Thinking

Oct 25, 2021

FAST THINKING: What’s behind the coup in Sudan?

By Atlantic Council

What’s next for Sudan and the global partners in its state-building project? Our experts weigh in.

Crisis Management Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Oct 25, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation benefits the UAE too

By Omar Al-Ubaydli

While many commentators have been keen to interpret Saudi Arabia’s attempts to transform Riyadh into the Middle East’s economic capital as a threat to the economic interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a more nuanced analysis suggests something akin to a rising tide that will lift all boats.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Oct 22, 2021

The Hazara community in Afghanistan is stuck in the middle between Iran and the Taliban

By Saumaun Heiat

With the Taliban having come to their second iteration of power and the announcement of a newly-formed government in Afghanistan in recent weeks, several stakeholders will see a shift in their relationships, namely Iran and Afghanistan’s ethnic Hazara minority

Afghanistan Iran

MENASource

Oct 21, 2021

A return to a constitutional monarchy may solve Libya’s problems

By Mustafa El Sagezli

When it comes to choosing their next chapter, some Libyans have already identified a promising path forward: restoring the 1951 constitution, which called for a representative, technocratic government with a hereditary monarch.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Oct 19, 2021

Jordan is pushing for rapprochement with Syria. But is it to reinforce artificial stability in the region?

By Laith Alajlouni

The normalization of ties with Syria is assumed to be a part of a broader regional stabilization plan that Jordan's King Abdullah advocated for during his recent visit to Washington in July.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Fast Thinking

Oct 18, 2021

FAST THINKING: What to do about China’s hypersonic weapons

By Atlantic Council

Should US defense officials be worried about the pace of Chinese military modernization? What could China do with such weapons? Our experts fire off their thoughts.

Arms Control China

Event Recap

Oct 18, 2021

New opportunities for MENA women to plug into global commerce

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on “Women in the global supply chain: The importance of increasing women's access.”

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

MENASource

Oct 15, 2021

Are Putin and Erdogan doing territorial swaps in Syria again?

By Ibrahim Hamidi

Talks of another territorial swap are back on the table now, amidst a common Turkish-Russian belief that the US is preparing to disengage from the Middle East, as they did with Afghanistan.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Oct 13, 2021

Event recap: Accountability and justice in Libya—voices from the ground

By Hezha Barzani

On September 28, the Atlantic Council’s North Africa Initiative hosted an event exploring the challenges of promoting transitional justice in Libya and how to pursue accountability for crimes committed in the civil war that began in 2011.

Libya Middle East
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