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

Subscribe to get the latest analysis straight to your inbox

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

May 9, 2019

Constant attacks continue to displace thousands in Syria

By Rana Riziq

The Syrian government along with its Russian allies launched a brutal assault on Idlib province, the last rebel-held areas, on Monday 30 April. The United Nations said the attacks included the worst use of barrel bombs by the Syrian army in 15 months. It said an estimated 323,000 people have been displaced in northwest Syria since last year.

Syria

MENASource

May 9, 2019

Can there be a peaceful solution for Libya’s conflict?

By Mustafa A.G. Abushagur

If the international community continues to stay on the sidelines, watching and allowing Haftar’s international allies to continue providing him with support, this war will continue with no foreseeable end and at a heavy price

Libya

IranSource

May 9, 2019

Former state broadcaster head does tell-all interview about the IRGC

By Maysam Behravesh

While growing US-led pressure on Iran is helping unify the Iranian polity around the flag of nationalism, it is also exposing fault lines among the ruling elite as they search for the key causes of the Islamic Republic’s failures forty years after its birth.

Iran

SyriaSource

May 8, 2019

Why Europe won’t rebuild Syria

By Eugenio Dacrema

Since the fall of 2018, we have seen increasing signals of disagreement among European Union (EU) member states regarding Syria.

Syria

IranSource

May 8, 2019

Iran withdraws from certain aspects of the nuclear agreement

By Holly Dagres

A year after the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and six months after it re-imposed sanctions, Iran has said it would reduce its compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement in sixty days unless the remaining parties take concrete steps to continue trade with Iran.

Iran

MENASource

May 7, 2019

Why the MENA region needs to better prepare for climate change

By Mahmoud Abouelnaga

Due to their strategic locations, countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have been hotspots for exploration and exploitation of energy resources—especially oil and gas—for decades. Yet, the Mediterranean climate is proven to be just as volatile as its security issues.

Climate Change & Climate Action

MENASource

May 6, 2019

Risking it all: The Palestinian Authority faces mounting challenges

By Grace Wermenbol

The appointment of Mohammed Shtayyeh as head of a new Palestinian government on March 10 constitutes an overt attempt to consolidate Fatah’s dominance in the Palestinian political arena and, in the process, delegitimize rival party Hamas. Shtayyeh’s installation as prime minister, however, does not just further complicate reconciliation attempts between the two feuding political parties. Heightened tensions with Israel’s overtly right-wing government and economic hardship in the West Bank mean that Shtayyeh faces an almost impossible task.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

May 6, 2019

Are Iranians turning away from the ‘Resistance Front’?

By Mahmoud Pargoo

In Iran, public opinion about foreign policy has become extremely divided. Even recent flooding provided ground for opposing parties to promote their stances, especially in regard to Iran’s backing of foreign militias in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Iran Israel

IranSource

May 3, 2019

Mixed reactions in Iran to Trump’s maximum pressure policy

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

Harsh measures by the Trump administration against Iran have largely united Iranian political factions against the United States but have triggered a variety of reactions from ordinary Iranians.

Iran

MENASource

May 3, 2019

What are the implications of Haftar’s offensive?

By Karim Mezran

The brutal attack unleashed by General Khalifa Haftar’s militia, the Libyan National Army, against the city of Tripoli is indeed a game-changer.

Libya