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

Sep 23, 2020

How the Iranian air force turned the tide of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980

By Ali Dadpay and Sina Azodi

In the case of the Iranian armed forces, one must speak of months of prosecution, summary executions, and an almost complete breakdown of the chain of command following the 1979 revolution. Yet, despite all odds, the Artesh chose to fight bravely when the Iraqi army invaded Iran on September 20, 1980.

Iran
Iraq

MENASource

Sep 22, 2020

The Gordian knot of Kurdish unity talks in Syria

By Rena Netjes and Lars Hauch

On September 20, US Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey visited northeast Syria for a meeting with delegations of the Kurdish National Council (KNC), the Democratic Union Party (PYD), and allied Kurdish parties who have been engaging in so-called unity talks since November 2019.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 22, 2020

Reliable no more? The current state of the Syrian armed forces

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

The current conflict has truly impacted the configuration of the Bashar al-Assad regime as well as the structure and orientation of its military institution, putting the latter’s loyalty in question.

Conflict
Middle East

MENASource

Sep 21, 2020

The Middle East is a growing marketplace, not just a war zone

By Amjad Ahmad

The region is vast and complex, and outsiders who do not fully understand its nations or peoples overlook the nuances of the nearly twenty countries that make up the Middle East.

Entrepreneurship
Middle East

MENASource

Sep 18, 2020

UAE-Israel accord will drive economic growth in the Middle East, says Emirati Minister of Economy

By Lucy Grathwohl

On September 16 empowerME Director Amjad Ahmad and Al Mari discussed how the historic signing of the Abraham Accords will facilitate the UAE and Israel to open their economies.

Economy & Business
Israel

MENASource

Sep 18, 2020

From Netanyahu’s plane to White House Lawn: Behind the scenes of the Israel-Gulf deal

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

The shrouds have been lifted with the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel, the United Emirates, and Bahrain, and deals are proliferating.

Israel
Middle East

MENASource

Sep 18, 2020

Liberalizing capital, trade, and labor markets are keys to accelerating post-pandemic recovery in Middle East

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

At a private CEO Dialogue on post-pandemic challenges and opportunities in the Middle East, there was agreement among participants that the region presents appealing demographics for economic growth and that the pandemic has underscored the need to accelerate economic diversification.

Coronavirus
Entrepreneurship

MENASource

Sep 17, 2020

Yemen: Enough of war

By Khaled H. Alyemany

After six years of war in Yemen, it looks like the world’s worst humanitarian crisis is being forgotten and treated with indifference. The international community is overstretched with many crises, and Yemen seems far from the highest priority.

Conflict
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

IranElections2021

Sep 17, 2020

Parviz Fattah: The new Ahmadinejad that may be running for president

By Arash Azizi

Despite his constant denials, it is reasonable to believe Parviz Fattah is planning a presidential run.

Iran
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 17, 2020

Macron’s plan for Lebanon needs independent figures

By Paul Gadalla

Emmanuel Macron must use his leverage to create space for new voices that are not inclined to perpetuate the same corrupt system if he is serious about facilitating a new political contract for Lebanon.

France
Lebanon
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