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

MENASource

May 10, 2021

Want resiliency in MENA? Invest in women-led startups

By Nadereh Chamlou

As MENA assesses how to rebuild better after the pandemic, women-led startups could be part of the solution.

Economy & Business
Middle East

In the News

May 4, 2021

Mezran quoted in The New Arab on Italy-Libya relations

By Atlantic Council

Italy
Libya

In the News

Apr 27, 2021

Warrick in CBS News on domestic violent extremism

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense and Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas S. Warrick was quoted in an article in CBS News titled "Homeland Security launches internal probe of domestic violent extremism."

Defense Policy
Extremism

Future of DHS

Apr 26, 2021

Warrick in the Washington Post on extremism within DHS

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas S. Warrick was quoted in an article in the Washington Post titled "Homeland Security launches review of violent extremism within agency."

Defense Policy
Extremism

Events

Apr 26, 2021

Nusairat joins ISPI to discuss the royal rift in Jordan

Middle East
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Events

Apr 24, 2021

Le Primavere arabe 10 anni dopo: dalle speranze alla disillusione

Italian
Middle East

In the News

Apr 21, 2021

Khoury in the Arab Center: “Yemen’s Critical Moment”

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 18, 2021

Ferziger and Sievers in Foreign Policy: “For Arab Israelis, the New Peace Treaties Spell Opportunity”

Israel
Middle East

Fast Thinking

Apr 12, 2021

FAST THINKING: Did the Iran nuclear talks just blow up?

By Atlantic Council

Iran’s ability to enrich uranium for potential use in nuclear weapons may have suffered a severe blow on Sunday after an explosion knocked out power at its Natanz nuclear site, while indirect talks continue in Vienna around reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Will the explosion blow up those negotiations? And what will its impact be on Iran itself and the country’s nuclear program?

Crisis Management
Iran

MENASource

Apr 9, 2021

Jordan was never ‘boring.’ A vibrant protest movement has been ignored for too long.

By Tuqa Nusairat

The greatest risk to Jordan’s stability remains that political and economic reform has been delayed for too long, and the little space that remains for Jordanians to express their legitimate frustration and dissent is narrowing every day.

Civil Society
Coronavirus