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

Mar 15, 2021

Here’s how Amman can boost women’s workforce participation

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Jordan must climb out of an economic pit exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. One key to promoting long-term economic growth is achieving greater female labor force participation.

Economy & Business Education

In the News

Mar 14, 2021

Lipner and Ferziger in The National: President Biden must engage with the Abraham Accords

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Mar 8, 2021

Celebrating MENA women entrepreneurs and business leaders

By Atlantic Council

In honor of International Women’s Day, the Atlantic Council’s empowerME asked Middle East business leaders and government officials to share a "shout out" about a woman entrepreneur or business leader who inspires them

Economy & Business Middle East

empowerME Conversations

Mar 2, 2021

Must see (Saudi) TV

By Atlantic Council

On episode 6 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host and Atlantic Council empowerME Director Amjad Ahmad speaks with Telfaz 11 and C3 Films CEO Alaa Fadan about his trailblazing efforts to produce TV and media content with Saudi talent, the recent Netflix deal, and the culture change that is boosting entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment in Saudi Arabia.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Feb 26, 2021

Senior State Department official says US is committed to supporting entrepreneurship in the Middle East

By Allison Holle

The Biden Administration is committed to supporting entrepreneurship in the Middle East and deepening economic cooperation between the United States and the region

Economy & Business Middle East

Events

Feb 25, 2021

Melcangi joins the Swedish Institute of International Affairs to discuss Libyan policy

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Feb 18, 2021

The Biden administration may have hit the reset button in Libya

By Karim Mezran

Despite its marginality and irrelevance for US’s interests, Libya has come to constitute the litmus test of this perceived change in the world political landscape.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Feb 17, 2021

What it takes for MENA to be the next leading venture capital opportunity

By Amjad Ahmad, Christopher Schroeder, and Allison Holle

Investing in venture capital in the Middle East is not merely an opportunity to gain financial dividends, but also to impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people by adding value and creating local wealth that can then address manifold social challenges. This will allow talent to rise and strengthen the ecosystem further.

Economy & Business Middle East

empowerME Conversations

Feb 9, 2021

Transforming homz

By Atlantic Council

In episode 5 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host Amjad Ahmad interviews Homzmart Co-Founder and CEO Mahmoud Ibrahim about his multiple entrepreneurial ventures, the growth in e-commerce in the Middle East, proactive changes governments are making to laws and regulations (and changes that are still needed), the importance of developing talent through mentoring, women’s economic inclusion in his businesses, and the need for the region to go beyond digitization and create change through innovation.

Economy & Business Middle East

empowerME Conversations

Feb 2, 2021

From Fashion to Fintech

By Atlantic Council

In Season 1, Episode 4 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host Amjad Ahmad interviews Tabby Co-Founder and CEO Hosam Arab about why he became an entrepreneur and what it takes to succeed, the customer needs his companies have met, how he scaled his businesses across regional borders, the changes in e-commerce and payment options in recent years in the Middle East, and changes to laws and regulations that would boost business.

Economy & Business Iran