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

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

MENASource

Apr 9, 2021

Russia is friendly with the Houthis in Yemen. But it’s complicated.

By Mark N. Katz

Even though Moscow may not be militarily involved in Yemen does not mean that Russia is uninvolved.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Apr 5, 2021

Experts React: A royal rift in Jordan amid competing allegations of a coup & corruption

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts react to the latest news of the royal rift in Jordan and how recent events may impact the country’s security, economy, and regional standing.

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

MENASource

Apr 5, 2021

US Mission to Saudi Arabia announces new women’s entrepreneurship program in partnership with Atlantic Council, AmCham Saudi Arabia, and Quantum Leaps

By Allison Holle

On March 31, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME initiative hosted an event in partnership with the US Mission to Saudi Arabia, AmCham Saudi Arabia's Women in Business Committee, and Quantum Leaps to mark the launch of their new joint program: IGNITING Women's Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Saudi Arabia.

Civil Society Education

MENASource

Apr 2, 2021

The end of Libya’s nightmare or the beginning of a new one?

By Karim Mezran and Tahani Elmogrbi

If badly managed, any of these challenges could turn fatal for Dbeiba’s government. It will take a lot of goodwill from the Libyan population and from the new elite of the country to allow space for compromise and acceptance of differences to ensure that the path is one of political dialogue and peaceful confrontation rather than one of armed conflict.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Mar 31, 2021

Family businesses in the Gulf must not be left behind

By Amjad Ahmad and Farida F. El Agamy

Research suggests that family-owned businesses contribute about 60 percent of the gross domestic product in the GCC countries and employ more than 80 percent of its labor force.

Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Mar 31, 2021

Putin’s Mediterranean gambit: Endgame unclear

By Mark N. Katz

For more than 250 years, Russian leaders have sought to project power and influence in the Mediterranean region. Sometimes these efforts have met with a significant degree of success. At times, though, Russia has pulled back from the Mediterranean because of setbacks in the region, events in Europe, or convulsions inside Russia. These pullbacks, however, have never been permanent and have always been followed by renewed Russian efforts to gain influence in the region.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 26, 2021

Badi in the Global Initiative: Muhasasa, militias and meddling foreign actors

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Mar 25, 2021

‘It’s not a zero-sum game’: MENA officials agree that regional integration is key to growth

By Heba Malik

Atlantic Council’s empowerME initiative and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies co-hosted an event that discussed strategies for building regional cooperation to create a more attractive investment landscape and productive entrepreneurial ecosystem. These are some key takeaways.

Economy & Business Middle East

Press Release

Mar 16, 2021

Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs adds five fellows to deepen expertise on US foreign policy in region

By Atlantic Council

New fellows will contribute to the Atlantic Council’s leading work on security, financial and energy markets, and US foreign policy in the Middle East

Economy & Business English