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

New Atlanticist

May 18, 2017

Arab Gulf States Set to Woo Trump

During US President Donald J. Trump’s upcoming trip to Riyadh, Gulf leaders will seek to portray themselves as capable partners for the United States in countering common threats, namely violent extremism and Iranian aggression, according to an Atlantic Council analyst. Throughout the summit, leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will “want to make […]

Iran
Saudi Arabia

IranSource

May 11, 2017

Dispute Over Helmand Water Spills into Iran Presidential Race

By Fatemeh Aman

During the second Iranian presidential debate on May 5, a candidate from the conservative camp raised an issue of great importance and political sensitivity: Iran’s disappearing water reserves.

Event Recap

May 5, 2017

Nurturing People-to-People Ties with Iran

By South Asia Center

On May 5, Barbara Slavin, acting director of The Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, moderated a panel on “Nurturing People-to-People Ties with Iran.” Slavin quoted a Mennonite professor, Harry Huebner, who has visited Iran at least 10 times as saying that “dialogue is its own justification.” This is particularly the case when […]

Event Recap

Apr 19, 2017

Energy Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Middle East

By Maxwell Petersen

On Wednesday, April 19, the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security and the Global Energy Center co-hosted a conversation on energy innovation and entrepreneurship in the Middle East featuring Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, presidential deputy envoy for hostage affairs at the US Department of State; HE Majid Al-Suwaidi, consul general of the United Arab Emirates in […]

IranSource

Apr 17, 2017

The Rise and Fall of Iran’s Khuzestan: A Calamity of International Significance

By Shirin Hakim and Kaveh Madani

In order to effectively address such multifaceted problems, we should shift our perspective towards the realization that environmental issues do not obey the confines of man-made borders and apply this understanding to seek pragmatic solutions.

Iran

IranSource

Mar 31, 2017

Why Iran Sees Its Missile Program as a Red Line

By Adam Weinstein

During the Iran-Iraq war, Saddam Hussein’s missiles and bombs lit up the skies over Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and various frontier towns. It was a blitzkrieg of a campaign, initiated by Baghdad with the intent of inflicting mass civilian casualties.

Iran

IranSource

Mar 28, 2017

US and Iran Navies Should Seek Persian Gulf Hotline

By Barbara Slavin

Every few weeks comes a new report that speedboats manned by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy have come dangerously close to US Navy vessels in the Persian Gulf.

Iran

SyriaSource

Mar 27, 2017

How Russia beat Turkey in Syria

By Aaron Stein

Turkish-Russian relations have been poor for years because of conflicting agendas in Syria. The Russian decision to intervene in late September 2015 directly challenged Turkish interests. At the outset of the Russian military operation, the goal appeared to be point defense of core regime areas, including the Latakia coast and the road to Damascus. Turkey, […]

Syria

IranSource

Mar 13, 2017

Iran’s Presidential Election: Who Will Run Against Rouhani?

By Sina Azodi

Iran is set to hold its next presidential elections on May 19, when President Hassan Rouhani, who is being supported by pragmatists and reformists, will be running for a second term. HisOsulgarayan (Principalist) opponents have been working on plans to defeat him. They have two potential strategies but given current circumstances, it is likely that Rouhani […]

Iran

IranSource

Feb 22, 2017

Arab States of the Persian Gulf Must Choose Between Paths Proposed By Iran and Israel

By Mehran Haghirian

Two very different dialogue proposals are on the table for the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, one from a historic enemy, Israel, proposed in conjunction with a crucial partner, the United States. The other is from a historic rival, Iran, which shares the same neighborhood and faith. The choice the Arab countries ultimately make could […]

Iran
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