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

A poster and flag bearing Lebanese Hezbollah's logo in Baalbek, Lebanon. (Wikimedia Commons)

IranSource

Jul 20, 2018

Tehran struggles with terrorism financing bill

By Nader Uskowi

The Supreme Leader and hardliners will have a choice to make: continue supporting and commanding the armed militia groups and accepting questionable cash flow out of the country, or take action for the sake of their government’s future.

Iran Terrorism

Event Recap

Jul 19, 2018

Oil and Iran: How renewed sanctions will affect Iran and world markets

By Global Business & Economics Program

On July 18, the Atlantic Council’s Future of Iran Initiative in the South Asia Center, Global Energy Center, and Global Business & Economics Program co-hosted a panel discussion on the likelihood and effect of renewed US sanctions on Iran.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

IranSource

Jul 19, 2018

Travel Ban Punishes Iranian Scholars and Undermines US Economy

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision to uphold the third iteration of President Donald Trump’s travel ban falls hardest on Iranians – both those seeking to travel to the US and those in the US who cannot go home without jeopardizing their ability to return. The situation is particularly dire for Iranians studying for graduate degrees, […]

An Iranian woman attends a viewing of the Iran-Portugal World Cup match on June 25, 2018 in Tehran's Azadi Stadium (Wikimedia Commons/Fars News)

IranSource

Jul 17, 2018

After the World Cup, Will Iranian Women Still Be Able to Watch Soccer?

By Owen Daniels & Phoebe Amend

The 2018 World Cup is over after a whirlwind month of matches, with France claiming the title. There was no shortage of engrossing stories from the tournament, with political drama undergirding the action. In Iran, for example, beyond the national team’s relatively impressive display, the country grabbed headlines off the pitch for allowing women to […]

Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Iranian people on Youtube (Israeli Prime Minister's Office/YouTube)

IranSource

Jul 17, 2018

Netanyahu’s New Iran Approach: YouTube Diplomacy

By Ehud Eiran

Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership style always includes dramatic warnings about threats to Israel. For more than a decade now, Israel’s prime minister warns that Iran—in particular its nuclear program—are the chief threat. In 2015, a glaring Netanyahu stared down the United Nations General Assembly in silence for almost a minute. The gesture was to protest what […]

Iran Israel

IranSource

Jul 16, 2018

Iran’s Renewable Energy Outlook Dims after US Withdrawal from the Nuclear Deal

By Omid Shokri Kalehsar

Countries across the world are planning to increase the share of renewables in their national energy baskets, particularly for electricity generation. Iran, as a major oil producer, has only recently begun to stress the role of renewables with the coming into force of its Fourth Development Plan (2004-2009). Iran has high potential for progress in […]

IranSource

Jul 16, 2018

Iran’s Renewable Energy Outlook Dims after US Withdrawal from the Nuclear Deal

By Omid Shokri Kalehsar

Countries across the world are planning to increase the share of renewables in their national energy baskets, particularly for electricity generation. Iran, as a major oil producer, has only recently begun to stress the role of renewables with the coming into force of its Fourth Development Plan (2004-2009). Iran has high potential for progress in […]

IranSource

Jul 13, 2018

Expect Russia to Do Little on Iranian Presence in Syria

By Holly Dagres

Israel’s prime minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Iranian presence in Syria, on the same day the Supreme Leader’s senior advisor arrived in Moscow with a message. Benjamin Netanyahu told Russia’s president on June 11, “Our opinion is known that Iran needs to leave Syria—that is not something new,” hours after a […]

Iran Israel

IranSource

Jul 8, 2018

Why Iran’s Water Problems Aren’t Going Away Anytime Soon

By Holly Dagres

A drinking water shortage set off this week’s round of protests in oil-rich Khuzestan province, home to much of Iran’s ethnic Arab minority. Protesters in cities including Abadan and Khorramshahr damaged property and clashed with police, leaving at least one demonstrator injured. Protests over water are not unprecedented in Iran. Similar protests have popped up […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Jul 5, 2018

The Gulf’s Soccer Showdown

By Owen Daniels

The World Cup’s knockout rounds are in full swing, and followers of Middle East soccer will now have to root for teams outside the region. Despite some compelling narratives – the dramatic politicization of Egyptian star Mo Salah, Iran’s rags-to-riches goalkeeper saving a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shrugging off his […]

Saudi Arabia The Gulf
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