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.

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

Jul 2, 2018

Filmmakers Explore Changing Mores of Iranian Women

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

Films are a window through which one can glimpse cultural, social and political dynamics in societies and gain a better understanding of underlying cultural traits, traditions, beliefs and aspirations. Several recent films provide such insights about the changing mores of women in Iran. Tahmineh Milani, a feminist Iranian filmmaker, has been addressing women’s issues rooted […]

New Atlanticist

Jun 29, 2018

Saudi Arabia Puts Women in the Driver’s Seat

By Phoebe Amend

On June 4, Saudi Arabia issued driver’s licenses to ten women for the first times in their lives. This followed a repeal—announced by royal decree last September—of the female driving ban, which officially ended on June 24. In what is one among a number of ambitious socioeconomic reforms driven by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin […]

Saudi Arabia

IranSource

Jun 28, 2018

Hardliners Again Exploit Unrest

By Holly Dagres

“Leave Syria, think about us” and “death to the dictator” were some of the popular chants during the nationwide protests that shook Iran last December and January. It took the Iranian government slowing the internet, temporarily blocking Instagram as well as the popular messaging app Telegram, and massively cracking down on the demonstrations. But far from […]

Iran

IranSource

Jun 27, 2018

As Iran’s Currency Collapses, What Can Stop the Panic?

By Farhad Rezaei

Iran’s currency, the rial, has experienced a historic low record crashing through 90,000 rials against one US dollar on the unofficial market and continuing its slide amid economic uncertainty caused by corruption, mismanagement and fear of returning US sanctions. The drop in the value of the currency is having serious polictical repercussions. The development has […]

Iran

IranSource

Jun 27, 2018

Doctor, Minister, Soldier, Spy: Tehran’s Man in Tel-Aviv

By Ehud Eiran

On June 15, the Israeli state prosecution indicted a former minister, Dr. Gonen Segev, for spying for Iran. Israeli authorities arrested him about a month earlier. His arrest and indictment were kept secret until a gag order was partially lifted on June 18.  If found guilty, Dr. Segev would be the most senior Israeli political […]

Iran Israel

IranSource

Jun 27, 2018

Doctor, Minister, Soldier, Spy: Tehran’s Man in Tel-Aviv

By Ehud Eiran

On June 15, the Israeli state prosecution indicted a former minister, Dr. Gonen Segev, for spying for Iran. Israeli authorities arrested him about a month earlier. His arrest and indictment were kept secret until a gag order was partially lifted on June 18.  If found guilty, Dr. Segev would be the most senior Israeli political […]

Iran Israel

Event Recap

Jun 27, 2018

Iran’s Environmental Impasse

By Masoud Mostajabi

Iran’s environmental challenges are reaching a crisis point. Severe water and air pollution, deforestation, land degradation, desertification, climate change, and biodiversity loss are only a few of the increasing number of major environmental issues faced by Iran. These calamities have become a source of social and economic hardship, a threat to public health and a […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

IranSource

Jun 26, 2018

Iran’s National Soccer Team Unites an Otherwise Divided Nation

By David Shams

The one thing, besides Nowruz, that unites Iranians across the globe is Team Melli, the national soccer team. If social media is any indication, Team Melli is an obsession for Iranians everywhere. Iran qualified for this summer’s World Cup on June 17, 2017, the first time the country has punched its ticket for two consecutive […]

Iran

IranSource

Jun 25, 2018

EU-OFAC: A New Mechanism to Help Salvage the Iran Deal

By Axel Hellman

The US decision to withdraw unilaterally from the Iran nuclear deal and pursue a “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran is pushing Europe to find creative new ways to preserve economic relations with Iran and thus salvage the agreement. One idea, floated by the French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, is the establishment of a European version […]

European Union International Organizations

IranSource

Jun 20, 2018

Iran Postpones Key Bank Reforms Over Fate of the Iran Deal

By Farhad Rezaei

A priority for those in Iran seeking re-integration into the international economy has been banking reforms that conform to globally accepted standards. But hardline factions oppose the reforms as surrender to US-led financial institutions and their views have been reinforced by the US decision to unilaterally leave the Iran nuclear deal. On June 10, the […]

Iran
Load More