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 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

IranSource

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

MENASource

Sep 16, 2020

The limits of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and what Syrians can learn

By Reem Salahi and Bachar El-Halabi

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s shortcomings provide multiple lessons for future accountability in Syria.

Lebanon Middle East

IranSource

Sep 16, 2020

#Don’tExecute: A semi-successful campaign against capital punishment in Iran

By Rebecca Stryer

For the third time in less than two months, Iranians took to Twitter in late August to express their outrage over another death sentence handed out to a protester.

Human Rights Iran

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 Mahony, 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
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