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

MENASource

Feb 23, 2021

Optimism mixed with realism about the Biden administration’s promises on Yemen

By Khaled H. Alyemany

The appointment of Ambassador Tim Lenderking as US Special Envoy to Yemen is the right step towards streamlining United States’ efforts internally and externally with allies to end the war, address its humanitarian impact, and avert the looming famine.

Middle East The Gulf

MENASource

Feb 23, 2021

Don’t rely on Moscow to help with “reconciliation” in Syria’s Daraa province

By Jomana Qaddour, Abdulrahman al-Masri

Any deal Russia strikes in Syria’s southern province will be volatile and temporary, given that resolving underlying conditions are impossible under the Bashar al-Assad regime and Russia’s direction.

Middle East Russia

MENASource

Feb 22, 2021

America steps back into the ring with the Palestinians

By Jonathan H. Ferziger, Shalom Lipner

The renewed US effort to engage with the Palestinian leadership comes against the backdrop of the past four years, during which the Mahmoud Abbas government found itself consistently on the defensive.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Feb 22, 2021

China is happy about the Abraham Accords and the GCC crisis coming to an end

By Jonathan Fulton

Middle Eastern dispute resolution benefits lots of countries with interests in the region and several can be expected to capitalize. However, given China’s increasingly deep MENA footprint, it will capitalize more.

China East Asia

MENASource

Feb 18, 2021

The Biden administration may have hit the reset button in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Despite its marginality and irrelevance for US’s interests, Libya has come to constitute the litmus test of this perceived change in the world political landscape.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Feb 18, 2021

Israel’s upcoming election: A referendum on the handling of the coronavirus

By Shalom Lipner

March 23 will see Israelis trek to the polls—for the fourth time since April 2019—after the close of an election campaign that has, thus far, entertained discussion of little else other than the coronavirus and its ramifications.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Feb 17, 2021

Responding to Iranian proxies in Iraq: Lowering the cost of accountability

By C. Anthony Pfaff

Rather than being faced with doing nothing, leaving, or being kicked out, such a joint approach can make the US the more attractive partner, undermine Iran’s ability to control the narrative, and improve prospects for future security cooperation.

Iran Iraq

MENASource

Feb 17, 2021

What it takes for MENA to be the next leading venture capital opportunity

By Amjad Ahmad, Christopher Schroeder, and Allison Holle

Investing in venture capital in the Middle East is not merely an opportunity to gain financial dividends, but also to impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people by adding value and creating local wealth that can then address manifold social challenges. This will allow talent to rise and strengthen the ecosystem further.

Economy & Business Middle East

Arab Spring

Feb 17, 2021

Ten years ago, Libyans staged a revolution. Here’s why it has failed.

By Borzou Daragahi

Ten years on, it’s important to dispel myths about why Libya went so wrong so as not to draw the wrong lessons.

Middle East North Africa

IranSource

Feb 16, 2021

Iran-Taliban growing ties: What’s different this time?

By Fatemeh Aman

Regional cooperation might be the only solution to reach a lasting peace for Afghanistan and, in that regard, Iran may be able to help.

Iran Middle East
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