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

IranSource

Feb 10, 2021

China is still brimming with Iranian oil

By Brendon Hong

As long as China’s petroyuan provides a means to avoid US sanctions, Iran will keep loading tankers with crude and sending them eastward.

China Iran

MENASource

Feb 9, 2021

Protests in Tunisia conjure images of the past and questions about the future

By Keith Jones

The last decade successfully delivered Tunisian democracy, but it is increasingly apparent that democracy has not delivered for many Tunisians.

Middle East North Africa

Podcast

Feb 9, 2021

Transforming homz

By Atlantic Council

In episode 5 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host Amjad Ahmad interviews Homzmart Co-Founder and CEO Mahmoud Ibrahim about his multiple entrepreneurial ventures, the growth in e-commerce in the Middle East, proactive changes governments are making to laws and regulations (and changes that are still needed), the importance of developing talent through mentoring, women’s economic inclusion in his businesses, and the need for the region to go beyond digitization and create change through innovation.

Economy & Business Middle East

IranSource

Feb 8, 2021

Hezbollah won’t avenge Qasem Soleimani’s death—for now

By David Daoud

As the first anniversary of Qasem Soleimani’s demise came and went, the group’s leadership reiterated its promise to exact retribution for the fallen Quds Force commander—but Hezbollah is even more constrained now than before.

Iran Lebanon

MENASource

Feb 3, 2021

Preventing partition: The case against a diplomatic band-aid in Libya

By Will O’Brien

There are three primary arguments against partitioning Libya: the historical outcomes of partitioned countries, the potential for exacerbating the ongoing proxy war in Libya, and the risk of degrading international institutions.

Libya Middle East

Op-Ed

Feb 2, 2021

Fontenrose in The National Interest: How Joe Biden hopes to shift US policy in the Middle East

In real terms, what aspects of US policy toward the Middle East will remain relatively unchanged under Biden, and what will be notably different?

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Feb 2, 2021

Israel, UAE leap ahead in vaccination drive against coronavirus

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

The efficient manner in which Israel and the UAE have acquired and administered the vaccines contrasts with what has been described as a bumbling process in the United States and some of Europe’s most advanced economies.

Israel Middle East

Podcast

Feb 2, 2021

From Fashion to Fintech

By Atlantic Council

In Season 1, Episode 4 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host Amjad Ahmad interviews Tabby Co-Founder and CEO Hosam Arab about why he became an entrepreneur and what it takes to succeed, the customer needs his companies have met, how he scaled his businesses across regional borders, the changes in e-commerce and payment options in recent years in the Middle East, and changes to laws and regulations that would boost business.

Economy & Business Iran

MENASource

Feb 1, 2021

Syria: Which way forward under Biden?

By Frederic C. Hof

The default position of President Joe Biden and his team will likely be along the lines of trying to manage the mess.

Middle East Syria

MENASource

Feb 1, 2021

How President Biden can tackle the Middle East’s biggest problems

By Kirsten Fontenrose, Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, and Udi Dekel

In a first project of trilateral collaboration, the directors and strategists from leading think tanks in the US, the UAE, and Israel have submitted nine recommendations on issues that deserve priority treatment from the new administration.

Israel Middle East
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