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.

Learn more

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

Apr 15, 2020

COVID-19: The last nail in the coffin of Iran’s tourism industry?

By Giorgio Cafiero

While global tourism is suffering worldwide amid this terrifying pandemic, Iranians dependent on tourism will continue to suffer for the foreseeable future.

Coronavirus
Iran

IranSource

Apr 14, 2020

Can Qasem Soleimani’s young daughter continue his path?

By Arash Azizi

After Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone attack on Baghdad’s international airport on January 3, Zeinab quickly emerged as his most visible offspring.

Iran
Middle East

IranSource

Apr 10, 2020

Iran’s regional ambitions are not going anywhere

By Raz Zimmt

Time and time again, Iran has proved that, despite its limitations and weaknesses, it manages to hold on and turn threats into opportunities that preserve not only the regime’s survival, but its regional influence, as well.

Iran
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

Third time’s the charm for a new Iraqi PM?

By Atlantic Council

“Iraq needs a prime minister with a mandate from the parliament and the people,” Thomas Warrick says, “and al-Kadhimi represents the best chance in a long time for an Iraqi leader who understand the needs of the people for honest, competent, and responsive government.”

Democratic Transitions
Iraq

IranSource

Apr 9, 2020

Iranian officials troll the US handling of the coronavirus to hide their own failings

By Scheherazade Faramarzi

Iranian officials have taken to firing aggressive and sometimes disparaging remarks deriding the Western—especially American—response to the coronavirus outbreak in an apparent attempt to counter criticism of their own shortcomings.

Coronavirus
Middle East

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2020

The unique challenges posed by COVID-19 in Iran and Afghanistan

By South Asia Center

The following interview was conducted on April 7th, 2020. On the 7th of April 2020, the South Asia Center and the Future of Iran Initiative hosted a virtual panel on Iran and Afghanistan’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, moderated by Nonresident Senior Fellow Fatemeh Aman. The panel consisted of Dr. Fatima Rezaei, Iran Country […]

Afghanistan
Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 6, 2020

Lift Iran sanctions, but hit back hard if necessary

By Frederic C. Hof

Only by suspending sanctions explicitly and across-the-board can the United States make a critical point directly to the people of Iran: Americans care about your health and well-being, even as your rulers suffocate you with breathtaking incompetence, bottomless corruption, and an appetite for violent aggression that wastes vital resources for the benefit of the lowest political lifeforms in the Arab world.

Coronavirus
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

MENASource

Apr 3, 2020

Oman’s handling of the coronavirus

By Marc J. Sievers

Oman appears to be managing the spread of coronavirus effectively, so far at least with the lowest numbers of deaths and infected persons in the Gulf. Testing is also ramping up, and the controls imposed between regions and the sustained messaging of the public to stay home and maintain social distancing are also likely to produce positive results, especially since over half the number of total cases are within the greater Muscat area.

Coronavirus
Middle East

IranSource

Apr 3, 2020

Pressure mounts on Trump to ease sanctions on Iran amid COVID-19 outbreak

By Negar Mortazavi

Members of Congress, world leaders, international organizations, editorial boards, and civil society activists are calling on the Trump administration to lift sanctions on Iran, at least temporarily, while the country fights the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus
Iran

MENASource

Apr 2, 2020

Isolated Gaza reaches out for help to battle coronavirus

By Jonathan H. Ferziger

2 million Gazans are burrowing into home isolation like the rest of the world in the hope they can ride out the threat despite their woefully insufficient medical facilities.

Coronavirus
Middle East
Load More