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

Event Recap

Dec 23, 2022

Governing the ungovernable. Consolidating the Libyan state amidst emerging criminal networks

By Nour Alhajjeh and Alissa Pavia

Libya has endured ten years of turmoil, lack of stability, foreign interference, and internal strife. The presence and proliferation of local armed groups have further eroded state-building processes. Read this event recap to know more about Libya's future.

Middle East North Africa

MENASource

Dec 23, 2022

2022: A year in the Middle East

By Nour Alhajjeh and Madeline Hart 

2022 was a year full of unprecedented protests, groundbreaking state visits, historical elections, and new challenges for the Middle East and North Africa.

Iran Iraq

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2022

Congress just passed a big change to war crimes law. Here’s what it means for Ukraine and beyond.

By Gissou Nia

Now, the US can prosecute war crimes whenever the alleged perpetrator is on US soil, regardless of the perpetrator's nationality or where the crime was committed.

Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2022

The Atlantic Council’s 22 greatest hits of 2022

By Frederick Kempe

Our work to help inform policymakers and the public as we craft solutions to the world’s most difficult challenges has never felt more urgent. Here's the best of our efforts from a tumultuous 2022.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

IranSource

Dec 22, 2022

<strong>I’m a former Syrian civil society activist. Syrians can’t tell Iranians how to win, but we can share lessons we learned the hard way.</strong>

By Ibrahim Al-Assil

Be the Iran you want to see.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Dec 21, 2022

It’s time for Tunisia’s president to resign. Here’s why.

By Alissa Pavia

The sound of Tunisia’s silence was deafening after only 11.2 percent of Tunisians—one million out of nine million eligible voters—participated in the December 17 parliamentary elections.

Elections Middle East

IranSource

Dec 21, 2022

Khamenei appears to be pushing for subtle reforms in Iran, but it’s all just a ruse

By Anonymous

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appears to be willing to risk the disintegration of Iran as long as he remains in power.

Iran Middle East

China-MENA Podcast

Dec 21, 2022

China-Global South Relations

By Atlantic Council

Lina Benabdallah joins us to discuss China's influence in the Global South, why China is viewed positively by African countries, how it gained positive impressions from Africans, and the implications on the global stage.

China East Asia

MENASource

Dec 15, 2022

<strong>No, Xi’s visit to Riyadh wasn’t because of bad US-Saudi relations. It’s about much more.</strong>

By Jonathan Fulton

Given the bad state of US-Saudi relations, it is natural to see Xi’s visit in the context of geopolitical competition between Washington and Beijing, but that framework misses the bigger picture.

China East Asia

MENASource

Dec 15, 2022

<strong>Cultural exchange can foster a peaceful coexistence in the Middle East</strong>

By Nureldin Satti

Cultural exchange is based on the will of individuals, groups, and nations to reach out to each other and better learn, or re-learn, to live together.

Israel Middle East
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