About the center

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East examines the barriers preventing many people in the region from reaching their fullest potential. Our work also highlights success stories of individuals and institutions who overcame significant challenges in pursuit of social, economic, and political progress. Inspired by these examples, we delineate practical and implementable policy recommendations that policymakers in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East can implement to unleash the region’s economic and human potential.

Featured commentary & analysis

Featured in-depth research & reports

Leadership

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Events

We convene the most important stakeholders on issues of primary concern to the transatlantic community when it comes the Middle East and North Africa, from senior US and Middle East government officials to civil society activists and budding entrepreneurs.

Past events

Content

Issue Brief

Jun 14, 2021

What choices remain for the United States in Syria?

By Nate Rosenblatt and Jomana Qaddour

In a new issue brief Nate Rosenblatt and Jomana Qaddour describe the challenges the United States faces in Syria, including Russia's attempt to expand the UN Strategic Framework as well the struggle to keep the UN humanitarian border crossings open in northern Syria.

Human Rights International Organizations

Issue Brief

Jun 4, 2021

Syrian lives in peril: The fight to preserve Syria’s last humanitarian border crossing

By Salman Husain, Yasmine Chawaf

A new Atlantic Council report, “Syrian Lives in Peril: The Fight to Preserve Syria’s Last Humanitarian Border Crossing,” places humanitarian considerations at the forefront of the cross-border debate. In addition to examining the devastating impacts of losing Bab al-Hawa, this report explores the limitations of cross-line operations (from government-held areas of Syria to areas outside of its control), which are presented as feasible alternatives.

Middle East Migration

In the News

May 26, 2021

Qaddour joins CNN to discuss Syrian elections

By Atlantic Council

Elections Middle East

In the News

May 26, 2021

Qaddour quoted in KCTV 5 (CBS) on Syrian presidential election

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Elections

In the News

May 24, 2021

Badi in War on the Rocks: “To advance its own interests, Turkey should now help stabilize Libya”

By Atlantic Council

Libya Middle East

In the News

May 18, 2021

Arbit quoted in The Week on the Democrats’ stance on Israel

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

May 18, 2021

Mezran quoted in Prudent Press Agency on the US Deputy Secretary of State’s visit to Tripoli

By Atlantic Council

Libya Middle East

MENASource

May 18, 2021

Factbox: Iranian presence in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province

By Navvar Saban

Since the beginning of 2018, Iran has been directly involved in the battle against ISIS in eastern Syria. Through its participation, Iran has been able to carry out its expansion project specifically in Deir ez-Zor, a province bordering Iraq that is troubled by a fragile security situation.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

May 16, 2021

Arbit quoted in The Guardian on the Democratic party’s stance on Israel

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

May 15, 2021

Lipner quoted in the Daily Beast on the supremacist movement

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Israel