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.

Meet our blogs

All commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2020

Trump’s new Middle East peace deal: A real path or dead on arrival?

By Daniel J. Samet

"The sad irony is that the peace process desperately needs new ideas, even if the ideas revealed today and the means by which they were developed and announced were not ideal," William Wechsler says. "And given the longstanding positions taken by the current Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the only credible source for those new ideas is the United States."

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Jan 27, 2020

Why mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran keeps failing

By Banafsheh Keynoush

Mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran means changing the balance of power in a way that pleases both countries.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Jan 24, 2020

China’s Persian Gulf strategy: Keep Tehran and Riyadh content

By Julia Gurol and Jacopo Scita

The current tensions between Washington and Tehran have been a major stress test for China’s Persian Gulf strategy.

China Iran

IranSource

Jan 23, 2020

Oman’s new sultan and US-Iran tensions

By Giorgio Cafiero

In the region today there are incredibly turbulent waters which will further test Muscat’s ability to strike a delicate balance in its foreign policy of non-alignment.

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Jan 22, 2020

Perennial repression, mourning, and despair consume Iran

By Masoud Mostajabi

With no hint of reform on the horizon, demonstrations, counter-demonstraions, and repression will remain a component of an unstable Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Jan 21, 2020

Repairing Iraq’s relations with the United States

By David Mack

Partners for mutual or overlapping national security objectives, like the governments in Baghdad and Washington, need a sustained dialogue.

Iraq Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2020

Berlin conference: The end of the game?

By Karim Mezran

The upcoming conference could result in the acceptance by all of Haftar’s future role in Libya and the legitimization of his attack against Tripoli. The Berlin conference could be a trap for the GNA, the courageous fighters of Tripoli, and the population of western Libya.

Conflict Libya

Congressional Relations

Jan 15, 2020

Congressional hearing – “US-Iran tensions: implications for homeland security”

By Atlantic Council

The Committee meeting examined the homeland security implications of the recent escalation in US-Iran tensions in the wake of the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Witnesses were given time to present opening statements to address possible retaliation followed by questions posed by committee members. Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas S. Warrick presented four ways in which Iran threatens the homeland: terrorism, cyber-attacks, disinformation, and influence operations. Warrick underscored the imminent threat posed by Iranian cyber-attacks, “Mr. Chairman, the possibility of a terrorist attack by Iran here in the homeland is that, a possibility, but cyber-attacks are a certainty.”

Defense Policy Digital Policy

IranSource

Jan 15, 2020

Dispatch from Tehran: Iranians protest after dishonest response to downed passenger plane

By Anonymous

Angry Iranians continue to demand accountability after authorities admitted to mistakenly downing a passenger airplane in Tehran.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2020

Iranians are protesting again: What does it mean?

By Barbara Slavin

So far, Iranian security personnel have remained loyal to the regime—again, unlike 1979 when the military and police defected in droves. As long as the repressive apparatus of the government is intact, it is likely that the latest protests will eventually fade as past ones have done, only to be followed by others.

Civil Society Corruption