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

MENASource

Apr 14, 2016

President Obama and GCC Leaders: Let’s Talk about Jobs

By Richard LeBaron

When President Barack Obama meets his Gulf Cooperation counterparts in Riyadh on April 21, he will yet again reassure them about the US commitment to Gulf security and once again they will work through a litany of regional issues, focusing on Syria, Yemen, and Iran.  There is little expectation of startling results, and given the […]

International Organizations
North Africa

MENASource

Apr 13, 2016

The United States Has No Gulf Allies

By Bilal Y. Saab

The word “ally” is used far too casually in Washington’s Middle East lexicon. It’s time to break this bad habit, because the truth is that with the exception of Turkey—a NATO member—the United States does not share a single alliance with any Middle Eastern country. As the US-GCC summit in Riyadh approaches, understanding what really constitutes an alliance […]

International Organizations
Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 13, 2016

Iraq’s Prime Minister Abadi Stuck Between Parliament and Protesters at the Gates

By Nussaibah Younis

No matter what he tries, Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi just can’t catch a break. Faced with thousands of protesters threatening to breach the Green Zone in Baghdad, Abadi relented to their demand that he assemble a group of independent technocrats to form a new cabinet. But when Iraq’s political blocs got wind of the […]

Iraq

IranSource

Apr 12, 2016

Is Iran Seeking Regional Hegemony?

By Yasuyuki Matsunaga

During his recent visit to Washington, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon remarked that a “Shiite radical axis” headed by Iran “is exploiting the deal now to gain hegemony” in the region. This has, in fact, become a rallying cry for those countries in the MENA region that are irked by the nuclear deal reached in […]

Iran

IranSource

Apr 11, 2016

US Should Facilitate Dialogue between Iran and Financial Action Task Force

By Tyler Cullis

With the successful conclusion of the nuclear accord between the United States, other major world powers and Iran, it is worth exploring other areas in which dialogue between the two adversaries can help realize mutual interests and relax ongoing tensions.

Iran

IranSource

Apr 8, 2016

اتهام جاسوسی، سفر روحانی به پاکستان را در سایه قرار داد

By Fatemeh Aman

دو روز پس از ورود رییس جمهوری روحانی به پاکستان، مقام های پاکستانی مردی را در استان پر تنش بلوچستان به اتهام جاسوسی برای هند بازداشت کردند.   کولبهوشان یاداف مرد بازداشت شده، ظاهرا اعتراف کرده است که به طور غیر قانونی با پاسپورت هندی و ویزای معتبر ایران وارد پاکستان شده است. به گفته […]

Iran

IranSource

Apr 6, 2016

Spy Allegations Overshadow Rouhani Trip to Pakistan

By Fatemeh Aman

Two days after President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Pakistan on a state visit, Pakistani authorities arrested an alleged spy for India in Pakistan’s restive border province of Balochistan.

Iran

IranSource

Apr 6, 2016

Guardian Council to Elected MP, “No Seat For you!”

By Mehrnaz Samimi

Much like the Christmas-New Year’s break in the United States, Iran’s Nowruz holiday brings a complete halt to normal activities, with most offices, all schools, and even newspapers on hiatus for two weeks.

Iran

IranSource

Apr 4, 2016

Iran Can Overcome Low Oil Prices

By Nazia Khan

Low oil prices have had an impact as great as nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, which ended its 2015 fiscal year on March 20 with a disappointing estimated growth rate of 1 percent. Nevertheless, Iran is in a better position to weather this situation than many other oil-producing countries. 

Iran

IranSource

Mar 28, 2016

Iran’s Absence from the Nuclear Security Summit is a Missed Opportunity

By Kelsey Davenport

When over fifty world leaders gather in Washington on March 31 for the fourth Nuclear Security Summit, Iran will be absent from the table.  

Iran
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