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

IranSource

Nov 23, 2020

Regional stability is in the interest of both Saudi Arabia and Iran

By Mohsen Tavakol

Contrary to common stereotypes, Riyadh and Tehran actually share a number of common interests.

Iran
Middle East

IranSource

Nov 20, 2020

Iran tries another lockdown as coronavirus cases soar

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

Faced with a new surge in coronavirus cases, Iranian authorities have ordered hundreds of cities across the country to obey a variety of stringent new restrictions starting from November 21.

Coronavirus
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Nov 20, 2020

Stormy waters: Israel and Lebanon negotiate their maritime border

By Udi Evental

After a decade of United States-led mediation, on October 14, delegations on behalf of Israel and Lebanon entered negotiations on the demarcation of their disputed maritime borderline.

Israel
Lebanon

IranSource

Nov 19, 2020

The risk of a too comprehensive deal with Iran

By Raz Zimmt

Any attempt to enforce restrictions on Iran’s regional activities under a new and more comprehensive JCPOA is likely to encounter several significant challenges.

Iran
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2020

The Trump administration is right—on civilian oversight of special operations

By William F. Wechsler

While the elevation of an assistant secretary of defense may elicit yawns, the move addresses one of the most important issues for any country: how to best secure civilian control over the military.

Defense Policy
National Security

MENASource

Nov 18, 2020

Mudassir Sheikha and Amjad Ahmad on how to create more “unicorns” in the Middle East

By Allison Holle

Atlantic Council’s empowerME initiative hosted Careem Co-Founder & CEO Mudassir Sheikha and empowerME Director and venture capital veteran Amjad Ahmad for a conversation about Sheikha’s path to success and strategies for building a more productive entrepreneurial ecosystem to create more unicorns in the Middle East. Below are the key takeaways from the discussion moderated by CNBC Reporter & Anchor Hadley Gamble.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Nov 18, 2020

Europe can bridge the gap between Iran and a Biden administration

By Barbara Slavin, Ellie Geranmayeh and Sahil Shah

We have prepared a series of recommendations that aim to highlight the role Europe can play in preserving the JCPOA, promoting regional peace, and boosting people-to-people contacts with Iran.

Central Europe
European Union

MENASource

Nov 18, 2020

Kuwait’s fiscal crisis requires bold reforms

By Ahmed Helal

While Kuwait’s vibrant parliamentary life allows for greater civic participation, it has hindered decision-making around sorely needed fiscal adjustments and the implementation of any meaningful diversification plans.

Economy & Business
Middle East

MENASource

Nov 16, 2020

ICMP report highlights need to launch missing persons process for Syria

By Kathryne Bomberger

While the present Syrian government is unlikely to cooperate, much can be done in the short and medium term to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and credible process. Finding more than 130,000 missing persons will require investigations across Syria and beyond.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

Elections 2020

Nov 13, 2020

Optimism and obstacles for US-Iran relations under a Biden presidency

By Sina Azodi

The election of Joe Biden as the forty-sixth president of the United States has sparked optimism in many quarters that real diplomacy and engagement will be the preferred method of conducting US policy toward Iran after January 20.

Iran
Middle East
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