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

IranSource

Jun 2, 2022

How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is shaping national security debates in Iran

By Sina Azodi

With the future of talks in limbo, the Ukraine war has brought the debates over the future of Iran’s national security strategy to the fore once again.  

Iran Middle East

IranSource

May 31, 2022

Canceled soccer ‘friendly’ reinforces Canada-Iran enmity

By Abbas Qaidari

The soccer match between Iran and Canada was an opportunity to repair the damage, but it is now just another missed opportunity.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

May 31, 2022

Lebanon just had an election. Its result? Curb the optimism.

By David Daoud

Lebanon desperately needs genuine economic reforms to even halt its ongoing collapse. Political reform is a necessary precondition to establishing a sustainable economy. Neither are more likely today than under the previous parliament.

Elections Lebanon

MENASource

May 26, 2022

I almost negotiated Israel-Syria peace. Here’s how it happened.

By Frederic C. Hof

In the summer and fall of 2010, American mediation aiming for peace between Israel and Syria was gaining momentum. Both sides had agreed that the United States could table a draft treaty and shuttle the text between Damascus and Jerusalem for comments and proposed revisions. 

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

May 24, 2022

The Biden administration needs to do more on Iran. Here’s why.

By Holly Dagres

Having a consistent, actionable approach to Iran is what the Biden administration needs to stay on course with its human rights agenda. Now is a good place to start.

Human Rights Iran

MENASource

May 23, 2022

Until Israel deals with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it can’t lead in the region

By Jean-Loup Samaan

The normalization momentum launched by the Abraham Accords could finally lead the Jewish State to not just co-exist with its Arab neighbors, but participate alongside those countries in defining the terms of a regional security architecture. It’s in the interests of Israel and the United States to achieve that goal.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

May 19, 2022

The Gulf is lagging behind on gender equality. Here’s how it can catch up. 

By Salwa Balla and Iman Mohamed

The dialogue for gender parity in the workforce is still ongoing, but GCC nations have the advantage of prioritizing female employment in tandem with economic diversification.

Education Middle East

China-MENA Podcast

May 19, 2022

Chinese Multilateralism in MENA

By Atlantic Council

Dawn Murphy joins us to discuss China’s approach to drawing Middle East and North African countries into Chinese-led cooperative forums for political support and influence.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

May 19, 2022

In Israel’s domestic political theater, the plot thickens

By Shalom Lipner

The tenuous prospects of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s ruling coalition are fanning speculation from critics that its box office run will be cut short. 

Israel Middle East

MENASource

May 14, 2022

Memorializing Sheikh Khalifa, transition, and restoring US-UAE relations

By R. Clarke Cooper

The death of Sheikh Khalifa and the designation of his successor occurs during the fiftieth anniversary year of formal diplomatic relations with the US, marking decades of increasing security cooperation vital to supporting US interests in the Middle East. 

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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