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

MENASource

Aug 31, 2021

Biden and Bennett turned the page on US-Israel ties. But not many were paying attention.

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s first visit to the White House on August 27 occurred just as President Joe Biden was absorbing the horror of the Kabul airport suicide bombing, lending poignancy to their efforts at resetting relations between the United States and its closest Middle East ally.

Israel
Middle East

MENASource

Aug 27, 2021

Saudi Arabia is trying to make America jealous with its budding Russia ties

By Mark N. Katz

Moscow’s ongoing relationship with Tehran—which Russia will not give up for the sake of improved relations with the Kingdom—is likely to induce Riyadh to keep its improving ties with Moscow within bounds.

Europe & Eurasia
Middle East

Fast Thinking

Aug 26, 2021

FAST THINKING: Terror strikes Kabul airport

By Atlantic Council

What is motivating the terrorists behind the blasts? What does this mean for evacuations? Our experts, steeped in the security world, have the answers.

Afghanistan
Conflict

New Atlanticist

Aug 25, 2021

PTSD is an endless war for veterans. The news from Afghanistan is making it worse.

By Kirsten Fontenrose

The realities of the Afghanistan withdrawal and its framing as a defeat put service members and veterans at risk for debilitating mental health problems and suicide.

Afghanistan
Conflict

Fast Thinking

Aug 25, 2021

FAST THINKING: The clock is ticking in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Biden is sticking to his August 31 timeline for withdrawing all American troops from Afghanistan. How will the coming days play out?

Afghanistan
Conflict

MENASource

Aug 25, 2021

Lebanese politicians look for handouts instead of reforms

By Paul Gadalla

Lebanese politicians are allowing for Lebanon’s collapse while hoping for as much international aid as possible with as little strings attached.

Lebanon
Middle East

IranSource

Aug 24, 2021

Iran’s new face to the world—Hossein Amir-Abdollahian—is no Zarif

By Sina Azodi

In short, unlike his predecessor who was distrusted and often marginalized by the IRGC, one should expect more collaboration between what Zarif dubbed “diplomacy and the battlefield.”

Iran
Middle East

MENASource

Aug 23, 2021

My family was part of the US evacuation of Kurds in 1996. The US must do the same for Afghans.

By Hezha Barzani

The US has the means and know-how to save Afghan lives with air evacuations as they have done previously through Operation Pacific Haven in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and other campaigns, like Operation New Life in Vietnam during 1975 and Operation Open Arms in Kosovo during 1999.

Afghanistan
Iraq

MENASource

Aug 23, 2021

COVID-19 lockdown highlights policies to reduce pollution in Saudi Arabia

By Faisal Algosair and Abdulmohsen Almuhaisen

In March 2020, the Saudi government instituted a national lockdown for three months to prevent the proliferation of the coronavirus. These extraordinary circumstances provide the perfect experiment for policymakers and researchers to investigate whether daily human activities significantly affect pollution levels in an oil-exporting country like Saudi Arabia.

Energy & Environment
Middle East

Press and members call

Aug 20, 2021

Atlantic Council press call: Protecting Americans and their Afghan allies in Afghanistan

As the dire situation in Afghanistan continues to unfold, senior former officials and experts discuss the urgent policies, posture and operations needed to ensure a rapid, safe evacuation in the days and weeks ahead.

Afghanistan
Middle East
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