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

Sep 15, 2020

Sistani’s roadmap to the renewal of political legitimacy in Iraq

By Abbas Kadhim

While his statement can be interpreted as a form of support for the current Iraqi government, this support is not unconditional.

Iraq Middle East

IranSource

Sep 14, 2020

Iran’s expansion of uranium stockpile is troubling but manageable

By Kelsey Davenport

Iran’s output of enriched uranium has remained fairly steady over the course of 2020, demonstrating that Tehran is not accelerating production.

Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 11, 2020

Experts react: US brokers another deal in Middle East with Israel and Bahrain

By William F. Wechsler, Kirsten Fontenrose, Marc J. Sievers, Jonathan H. Ferziger, Barbara Slavin, Carmiel Arbit, Michel Duclos, Richard LeBaron, Mark N. Katz, Thomas S. Warrick, Sina Azodi, Joze Pelayo

Atlantic Council experts react to Bahrain agreement to normalize ties with Israel and what it means for the wider region.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Sep 10, 2020

Why Nasrin Sotoudeh is on hunger strike to protest Iran’s dire prison conditions

By Tara Sepehri Far

The prominent Iranian human rights lawyer has been on a hunger strike in Evin prison for almost a month in order to demand the release of the country’s scores of political prisoners.

Human Rights Iran

IranElections2021

Sep 10, 2020

Iran’s reformists don’t have a strategy yet—let alone a candidate

By Raz Zimmt

There is a growing number of voices among the reformist faction indicating confusion and distress less than a year before the June 2021 presidential election.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Sep 10, 2020

Forgotten quarter: Beirut blast survivors in the Karantina neighborhood

By Zahra Hankir and Lynn Chaya

Journalists Zahra Hankir and Lynn Chaya spoke to dozens of survivors about their experiences before, during, and after the August 4 Beirut blast. Here are some of their stories.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Sep 2, 2020

Caesar Act: The Syrian people are sapped while Assad grows stronger

By Qussai Jukhadar & Elizabeth Tsurkov

The Bashar al-Assad regime is unconcerned about Syrian lives and, thus, worsening economic misery is unlikely to shift its calculations.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 1, 2020

Energy cooperation in the Middle East is a necessary step toward regional security

By Ariel Ezrahi

Mutual energy dependencies can help mitigate political tensions, creating incentives to cooperate and possibly facilitating a positive momentum towards solving some of the MENA region’s thornier outstanding political conflicts

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 28, 2020

How attacks on US forces in Iraq became a new normal

By Seth Frantzman

The resulting posture of the US in Iraq looks to be a presence concentrated more in the autonomous Kurdistan region—where US forces have never been targeted by rocket attacks—with a very limited presence in Al-Assad base and Baghdad.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 26, 2020

Four takeaways from Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s visit

By Andrew Peek

Washington must compete in the gray zone, for partial victory, with all the tools at its disposal. This visit was a good start.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy
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