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

Oct 14, 2023

Egypt cornered over Israel’s war on Hamas

By Shahira Amin

Whether Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will bow under US and Israeli pressure remains to be seen.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Oct 13, 2023

What do Iranians think of Israel? Their views might surprise you

By Arash Azizi

Anyone familiar with Iranian society knows that anti-Israel attitudes have mostly failed to go beyond the most vociferous supporters of the regime despite years of attempted forced indoctrination.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Oct 13, 2023

It doesn’t matter whether Iran planned the Hamas attack—Tehran is still to blame

By Jonathan Panikoff

For years, Tehran has provided Hamas the overwhelming majority of its funding, weapons, and training—all of which were leveraged for this attack.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Oct 12, 2023

Gaza under siege: A doctor recounts the humanitarian cost of war

By Arwa Damon

Dr. G is no stranger to war zones. He’s a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who often volunteers when bombs and disasters strike.

Civil Society Israel

MENASource

Oct 11, 2023

Hamas’s attack on Israel was straight out of Hezbollah’s playbook

By David Daoud

The genesis of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood appears to originate with Hezbollah, at least in part. The pressing question now is what will Hezbollah do next?

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2023

What to expect from Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza

By Alex Plitsas

Israel appears set to initiate a months-long ground campaign that is designed to completely eliminate the terrorist threat posed by Hamas and to prevent and deter a attack like October 7 from ever happening again

Conflict Crisis Management

China-MENA Podcast

Oct 11, 2023

The Gulf’s New De-Escalation Foreign Policy Among World Powers

By Atlantic Council

Mohammed Baharoon joins us to discuss the shifting dynamics of Gulf countries’ foreign policies– which are increasingly seein the world order based on interconnectedness, not polarity.

China East Asia

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2023

What will Hezbollah do next? Here’s how the Hamas-Israel conflict could engulf the region.

By Nicholas Blanford

Neither Israel nor Hezbollah appears to want an escalation, but the risks are high for a disastrous miscalculation. 

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Oct 10, 2023

Live expertise: Get the latest insight on the Israel-Hamas war

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts are analyzing the rapidly unfolding events in the Middle East as they happen. Find the latest here.

Conflict Extremism

MENASource

Oct 10, 2023

Hamas’s attack underscores the need for US and Israeli policy to change course

By Jason M. Brodsky

Both Israel and the United States should engage in deep introspection at the policy level over their failure to deter Hamas’s brutal attack. 

Conflict Crisis Management
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