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

MENASource

Apr 12, 2023

Egypt-Turkey normalization: Ankara’s perspective 

By Ali Bakir

While Turkey would prefer to speed up the normalization process, Cairo might prefer to wait until the next elections before expediting it.

Europe & Eurasia Libya

MENASource

Apr 11, 2023

Egypt-Turkey normalization: Cairo’s perspective 

By Shahira Amin

After a decade of ruptured ties and simmering tensions, Egypt and Turkey are inching towards a rapprochement—a move thought unimaginable by some observers a couple of years prior.

Africa Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Apr 6, 2023

Arab states are normalizing with the Assad regime. This is the Middle East’s 1936 moment.

By Malik al-Abdeh and Lars Hauch

Now diplomatic relations are set to be restored between Syria and two behemoths of the Arab League: Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who are the holders of the all-important veto on Assad’s return to regional respectability.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Apr 5, 2023

China is getting comfortable with the Gulf Cooperation Council. The West must pragmatically adapt to its growing regional influence.

By Joseph Webster, Joze Pelayo

The US and its allies and partners must pragmatically adapt to China’s growing regional influence by providing credible alternatives to Beijing.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Apr 5, 2023

A series of unrelated events happened in Israel. Fingers are pointing at Hezbollah.

By David Daoud

Tensions have been unusually high along the Lebanese-Israeli border. But war, or a large-scale conflagration, is not imminent.

Israel Lebanon

IranSource

Apr 3, 2023

The Islamic Republic is waging a war on women journalists. The international community needs to step up.  

By Britt Gronemeyer

While the international community has spoken out in support of the Women, Life, Freedom revolution, they have done little to protect the women journalists at the heart of this movement. 

Human Rights Iran

New Atlanticist

Mar 31, 2023

Israeli-Arab cooperation on agriculture, water, and food security starts with building on existing innovations

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The recent N7 conference showed how the climate crisis in Middle Eastern societies has given rise to a set of issues around which there is much consensus and a true openness to addressing them together.

Civil Society Climate Change & Climate Action

MENASource

Mar 31, 2023

Can Italy play an effective role in helping stabilize the Mediterranean region?

By Karim Mezran, Alessia Melcangi

Thanks to its central geographical position in the Mediterranean Sea and the advanced technological skills of Italian energy companies, Italy is playing a key role in the region through their strong energy diplomacy.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Mar 30, 2023

Israel and the international community have deep gaps on the Iran nuclear issue. It’s time the Israeli government adopts fresh thinking.

By Danny Citrinowicz  

The Israeli government must understand that there is a need to dissociate between the nuclear issue, which has only a diplomatic solution, and Iranian malign activities.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Mar 30, 2023

I was part of the Israeli National Security Council. Climate change has been an important security challenge for years.

By Efrat Minivitzki Thein

Israel’s experience of addressing climate change as a national security challenge is also an approach that bears sharing with its regional partners.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
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