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

Jul 12, 2025

Netanyahu’s trip to Washington ends with conflicting signals

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The moment of truth may yet come when Trump’s leverage on Netanyahu, which is considerable, may not be expressed only in private settings.

Iran
Israel

MENASource

Jul 9, 2025

For the Gulf, business comes first—even after the Twelve Day War

By Joze Pelayo

Gulf leaders’ desire to shift the regional narrative toward economic and technological development continues to be hijacked by conflict.

Economy & Business
Iran

Event Recap

Jul 8, 2025

New findings: Russian aerial attacks amount to extermination and persecution

By Fatima Khan and Winnie Zheng

On June 25, 2025, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and Strategic Litigation Project, together with the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School (IHRC), hosted a hybrid panel discussion on new findings and policy implications surrounding Russian aerial attacks against Ukraine over the last three years. The event was moderated by […]

Civil Society
Conflict

Podcast

Jul 8, 2025

‘Death is our business’

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 12 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi is joined by the journalist John Lechner to discuss his new book, Death is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare.

Africa
Russia

MENASource

Jul 7, 2025

Unpacking Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court chaos

By Safwan al-Amin

Regardless of the reasons behind initial mass resignations, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court is serious.

Iraq
Middle East

MENASource

Jul 7, 2025

Opportunity knocks on Netanyahu’s US visit after Israel-Iran war

By Shalom Lipner

Prevailing circumstances—albeit fraught with barriers—present the opportunity for all sides to declare victory.

Iran
Israel

MENASource

Jul 3, 2025

How the war in Gaza diminished dreams of political reform in Egypt

By Amr Salah Mohamed

Egypt’s national debate has shifted from reform to national security with just weeks ahead of parliamentary elections.

Elections
Middle East

MENASource

Jul 3, 2025

Three Abraham Accords goals Trump should raise with Netanyahu

By Allison Minor

Between Iran and Gaza, Trump and Netanyahu will have a full agenda during the latter’s visit to Washington.

Israel
Middle East

MENASource

Jul 2, 2025

Why al-Sharaa’s success in Syria is good for Israel and the US

By Itai Melchior and Nir Boms

Israel will be wise to align its policy with those who seek to integrate Syria rather than with those who seek to fragment it.

Democratic Transitions
Israel

MENASource

Jun 30, 2025

Balancing acts and breaking points: Iraq’s US-Iran dilemma

By C. Anthony Pfaff

The future of US–Iraq relations is neither as dim as it may first appear, nor as promising as one might hope.

Geopolitics & Energy Security
Iran
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