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

Aug 14, 2020

Are the US and Iran talking behind the scenes?

By Sina Toossi

If there is an ongoing US-Iran backchannel, it may be similar to the one Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama conducted via Oman late in the term of former hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2020

A rare strategic victory—for everyone except Iran

By William F. Wechsler

It’s been so long since the Middle East last experienced undeniably good news, that observers can be forgiven if they have difficulty recognizing it when it happens. But the “Abraham Accords” is indeed one of those moments.

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2020

Will US-brokered agreement between UAE and Israel be a regional gamechanger?

By Atlantic Council

A US-brokered deal has seen Israel and the United Arab Emirates normalize relations for the first time in history. Atlantic Council experts discuss what the agreement means and what is next for the wider region:

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Aug 13, 2020

American force posture needs to be better aligned to national security interests in an affordable way

By John W. Miller

It is time to more thoughtfully align national security policy with a force structure and acquisition paradigm that America can afford to the force posture that American security interests require.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 12, 2020

The Syrian regime wheels and deals minorities to remain in power

By Ayman Abdel Nour

The Bashar al-Assad regime operates merely to preserve itself, undermining chances of Syrians uniting across religious and ethnic lines.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

IranSource

Aug 11, 2020

It doesn’t matter who wins in November, Iran will not renegotiate the JCPOA

By Saheb Sadeghi

Whatever the outcome of the US presidential elections, there is broad consensus within the Iranian government that Tehran will not renegotiate the terms of the JCPOA because it believes that the nuclear program file was closed after it signed the agreement.

MENASource

Aug 10, 2020

For Lebanon, the only way out is either revolution or reform

By Nabeel Khoury

The ingredients for Lebanese reform are there. However, it remains a cause that awaits the right champion.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Aug 7, 2020

Ammonium nitrate didn’t belong to Hezbollah, but they knew about its dangers

By David Daoud

Hezbollah is acutely aware of the danger that such chemicals—even if not of a military grade—pose to nearby civilians, perhaps more so than any other entity in Lebanon.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Aug 5, 2020

Jordan protests met with repression as government changes tactics

By Tuqa Nusairat

The Jordanian government must make a concerted effort to address the serious economic challenges and disparities that have marginalized a majority of Jordanians with little options left but to strike or protest the conditions they face.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Aug 4, 2020

Scenes from a broken Beirut

By Nicholas Blanford

My apartment was heavily damaged by the explosion. All the windows were gone, the frames blasted out, even on the other side of the building from the explosion. I spoke to friends and colleagues in the area. They all have tales about calamities, material and personal, that have befallen them.

Lebanon Middle East
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