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

May 26, 2021

Do China and Russia want to replace the US as mediators in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

By Richard LeBaron, Mohamed Bin Huwaidin, Daniel Rakov, Jonathan Fulton, and Joze Pelayo

In this brief reaction piece, three experts from our working group on Chinese and Russian power projection in the Middle East offer their views on the viability of Russia or China bringing the parties closer to the negotiating table.

China Israel

MENASource

May 24, 2021

The US sanctions regimen against the Assad regime is working. Here’s how.

By Peter Metzger

The US' targeted and tailored sanctions regimen not only give the US and its allies leverage toward a political resolution to the conflict, but so too do said designations hold together a de facto nationwide ceasefire throughout Syria.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Middle East

Fast Thinking

May 21, 2021

FAST THINKING: An Israel-Hamas ceasefire in a changed world

By Atlantic Council

Will this fragile peace hold? What are the enduring consequences of the conflict for the region and the world? Our experts weigh in.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

May 21, 2021

Libya has a mercenaries problem. It’s time for the international community to step up.

By Alia Brahimi

One of the darker realities of the war in Libya is that the conflict (now in its eleventh year) is powered by layers of actors from outside the contested territory. Libyans have been killed and their country ravaged by foreign soldiers of fortune.

Libya Middle East

IranSource

May 21, 2021

‘Elections without Mohsen Rezaei are like kebabs without onions’

By Saeid Jafari

A perpetual candidate, a man who never leaves the scene, an election-addict, and a resilient politician: these are among the kinder ways in which Iranians describe Mohsen Rezaei.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

May 20, 2021

Experts React: What’s next after the Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

By Atlantic Council

After eleven days of cross-border fighting, Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire. Atlantic Council experts react to the news, assess the significance of the recent surge in violence, and offer their thoughts on how the international community should deal with the conflict moving forward.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

May 19, 2021

Iran sanctions relief will continue funding the ongoing war in Syria

By Kenan Rahmani and Cameron Khansarinia

As the Joe Biden administration negotiates a potential return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in Vienna, Tehran’s backing of the Bashar al-Assad regime should not be left off the table.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

May 18, 2021

Factbox: Iranian presence in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province

By Navvar Saban

Since the beginning of 2018, Iran has been directly involved in the battle against ISIS in eastern Syria. Through its participation, Iran has been able to carry out its expansion project specifically in Deir ez-Zor, a province bordering Iraq that is troubled by a fragile security situation.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranElections2021

May 18, 2021

For Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s presidency is a step toward Supreme Leader

By Anonymous

For Ebrahim Raisi, an election win also puts him one step closer to the real top job in Iran.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

May 13, 2021

Iran’s ‘reformists’ contemplate their post-election future

By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Amin Naeni

It would require a miracle to revive the fortune of the reformists or moderates based on the current attitude of many Iranians.

Elections Iran
Load More