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.

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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

SyriaSource

May 8, 2019

Why Europe won’t rebuild Syria

By Eugenio Dacrema

Since the fall of 2018, we have seen increasing signals of disagreement among European Union (EU) member states regarding Syria.

Syria

IranSource

May 8, 2019

Iran withdraws from certain aspects of the nuclear agreement

By Holly Dagres

A year after the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and six months after it re-imposed sanctions, Iran has said it would reduce its compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement in sixty days unless the remaining parties take concrete steps to continue trade with Iran.

Iran

Event Recap

May 7, 2019

Private Roundtable on Iraq with DASD Mick Mulroy

By Atlantic Council

On May 7, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative hosted US Department of Defense Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Michael “Mick” Mulroy for a private, off-the-record discussion on Iraq. Atlantic Council Middle East Programs Director and Rafik Hariri Center Director William F. Wechsler moderated the conversation.

MENASource

May 7, 2019

Why the MENA region needs to better prepare for climate change

By Mahmoud Abouelnaga

Due to their strategic locations, countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have been hotspots for exploration and exploitation of energy resources—especially oil and gas—for decades. Yet, the Mediterranean climate is proven to be just as volatile as its security issues.

Climate Change & Climate Action

MENASource

May 6, 2019

Risking it all: The Palestinian Authority faces mounting challenges

By Grace Wermenbol

The appointment of Mohammed Shtayyeh as head of a new Palestinian government on March 10 constitutes an overt attempt to consolidate Fatah’s dominance in the Palestinian political arena and, in the process, delegitimize rival party Hamas. Shtayyeh’s installation as prime minister, however, does not just further complicate reconciliation attempts between the two feuding political parties. Heightened tensions with Israel’s overtly right-wing government and economic hardship in the West Bank mean that Shtayyeh faces an almost impossible task.

Israel
Middle East

IranSource

May 6, 2019

Are Iranians turning away from the ‘Resistance Front’?

By Mahmoud Pargoo

In Iran, public opinion about foreign policy has become extremely divided. Even recent flooding provided ground for opposing parties to promote their stances, especially in regard to Iran’s backing of foreign militias in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Iran
Israel

IranSource

May 3, 2019

Mixed reactions in Iran to Trump’s maximum pressure policy

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

Harsh measures by the Trump administration against Iran have largely united Iranian political factions against the United States but have triggered a variety of reactions from ordinary Iranians.

Iran

MENASource

May 3, 2019

What are the implications of Haftar’s offensive?

By Karim Mezran

The brutal attack unleashed by General Khalifa Haftar’s militia, the Libyan National Army, against the city of Tripoli is indeed a game-changer.

Libya

MENASource

May 2, 2019

Israeli-Gulf relations: Will the détente deepen or dry up?

By Daniel J. Samet

On April 25, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that an Israeli delegation will take part in next year’s World Expo, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, fresh off his victory in the April 9 elections, tweeted his approval of Israel’s participation, which he called “another expression of Israel’s rising status in the world and the region.”

Israel
The Gulf

IranSource

May 2, 2019

IRGC change of command signals Tehran’s new offensive approach

By Maysam Behravesh

In a sudden announcement on April 21, Iran’s Supreme Leader appointed General Hossein Salami, the former deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), as the elite force’s new head.

Iran
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