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

SyriaSource

Oct 23, 2019

What the Turkish-Russian deal in Syria means for Vladimir Putin

By Frederic C. Hof

The Kremlin stands to reap significant rewards from its agreement with Turkey on Syria.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

In the News

Oct 22, 2019

Khoury in Arab Center Washington: Radical Reform or Total Chaos for Lebanon?

By Atlantic Council

Corruption Economy & Business

In the News

Oct 21, 2019

Itani joins Foreign Policy ProvCast to discuss Chaos for the Kurds Amidst US Withdrawal

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Oct 19, 2019

Hof mentioned in Bard News on his possibility of a bipartisan solution to the Syrian crisis

By Atlantic Council

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

SyriaSource

Oct 18, 2019

Turkey’s “pause” in Syria: Will the US tourniquet stop the bleeding?

By Frederic C. Hof

Time will tell whether the United States can take advantage of a pause in Turkish military operations to broker a diplomatic solution to the Northeast Syria crisis.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

In the News

Oct 17, 2019

El-Gamal quoted in Vox on U.S.-Turkey deal

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Oct 17, 2019

Itani quoted in Ahval on the U.S.-Turkey deal

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Oct 16, 2019

Hof quoted in Bard on Trump’s “greenlighting” of Turkish invasion

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Oct 16, 2019

El-Gamal quoted in Noticias de Gipuzkoa on implications of US withdrawal from northern Syria

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

SyriaSource

Oct 15, 2019

Syria: Is anything salvageable?

By Frederic C. Hof

The importance of Syria to the West generally and to the United States specifically dictates that something of value be salvaged from the wreckage. Facilitating the resurrection of ISIS and the restoration of a terrorism-abetting Assad regime to all of Syria should be unthinkable.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy