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

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

MENASource Oct 22, 2024

Israel versus Hezbollah: Not a full-scale war—yet

By Nicholas Blanford

The Israeli army appears to have absorbed some of the lessons of its troubled 2006 experience fighting against Hezbollah.
Conflict Lebanon
Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

MENASource Oct 18, 2024

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is finally having its election. Here’s how it’ll play out.

By Shivan Fazil

Given the two main parties’ growing inability to compromise, it will likely be long and fraught.
Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

MENASource Oct 16, 2024

Vision 2030 has done wonders for women. But there’s still room to enhance their economic roles in Saudi Arabia.

By Beata Polok and Maha Akeel

Saudi Arabia’s progress under Vision 2030 is impressive, but the journey is not yet over.
Civil Society Economy & Business
ALL COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Featured in-depth research & reports

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Report Oct 22, 2024

The economic and social costs of the war in Gaza

By Perrihan Al-Riffai

After a year of war, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries need a permanent ceasefire. But with development gains erased, billions of dollars in infrastructure damaged, and skyrocketing unemployment, the Middle East also urgently needs a solid reconstruction plan.
Conflict Israel
Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Report Jul 30, 2024

Libya’s protracted crisis, ten years of electoral deadlock

By Ben Fishman, Alvaro de Argüelles Lugo , Mary Fitzgerald, Aldo Liga, Chiara Lovotti, Karim Mezran, Alissa Pavia

A decade has passed since the last elections were held in Libya, and the country remains mired in a stalemate and deeply divided.
Libya Middle East
Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Issue Brief Jun 5, 2024

Policy memo: What will it take to make the MENA region a renewable energy powerhouse?

By Shihab Elborai, Anthony Yammine, and Pavel Popikov

The Middle East and North Africa region is well placed to become not just a major source of renewable energy, but also a central and indispensable player in the global energy transition, uniquely able to balance supply and demand for all types of energy, both hydrocarbons and renewables.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
ALL IN-DEPTH RESEARCH

Leadership

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Staff

Emilia Pierce

Deputy Director, Operations and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Conflict

Staff

Gissou Nia

Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Corruption

Staff

Sarah Zaaimi

Deputy Director, Communications

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Staff

Karim Mezran

Director, Resident Senior Fellow, North Africa Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Resident Senior Fellow, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Former staff

Racha Helwa

Former director, empowerME Initiative

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Former fellow

Qutaiba Idlbi

Former Resident Senior Fellow, Syria

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economic Sanctions Entrepreneurship

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.

Public Event Thu, September 11, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

US-Iraq security partnership after Operation Inherent Resolve
Iraq Security & Defense

Past events

Public Event Thu, August 28, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Understanding IMEC: A pathway to connectivity amid global uncertainty
Economy & Business India International Markets Middle East
Online Event Wed, August 27, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Book talk: China’s Middle East math
China Economy & Business Energy & Environment Middle East
Public Event Fri, July 25, 2025 • 2:30 pm ET

Pakistan’s foreign minister on tensions with India and the future of US ties

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar joins the Atlantic Council for a timely conversation on India-Pakistan tensions, regional stability, and the future of US-Pakistan relations.

Defense Policy Economy & Business Indo-Pacific Pakistan
Public Event Thu, July 24, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

Eleven years on: The Yezidi genocide and the road to recovery
Civil Society Crisis Management Human Rights Iraq
Online Event Tue, July 22, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Israel’s Noach Hacker on the resilience of the Israeli economy in times of war
Conflict Economy & Business International Markets Israel
Online Event Thu, July 17, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Book talk: A portrait of ‘the man who would be king’
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Public Event Wed, June 25, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

New findings: Russian aerial attacks amount to extermination and persecution
Civil Society Conflict Crisis Management Russia
Online Event Wed, June 18, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The diplomats’ roundtable: Iran and Israel at war
Iran Israel Security & Defense
Online Event Tue, May 20, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

Saudi Arabia in 2025: Vision 2030 progress update and US-Saudi relations
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Future of Work Inclusive Growth
Online Event Tue, May 13, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Rethinking US policy options in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Economy & Business Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy
ALL EVENTS

Content

SyriaSource

May 1, 2019

In Syria, Trump claims victory but ISIS remains

By Frederic C. Hof

US President Donald Trump’s December 2018 tweet announcing the withdrawal of American military forces from Syria has inadvertently invited ISIS (ISIL, IS, Daesh, Islamic State) to resurrect itself. Even though American officials have walked-back the presidential decree, the president himself has signaled no enduring or enthusiastic support for the essential, victory-sealing stabilization of areas liberated from ISIS.

Extremism Syria

IranSource

May 1, 2019

Iran’s private sector: Stuck in the middle

By Mohsen Tavakol

The Iranian economy and population are every day feeling the painful effects of US-driven financial pressure aimed at blocking any kind of economic interaction between foreign and Iranian banks and businesses.

Iran

IranSource

Apr 30, 2019

Can Pakistan be the friend Iran needs?

By Fatemeh Aman

With pressure mounting on Iran from US sanctions, Iran is placing heavy emphasis on its neighbors for trade and political support.

Iran Pakistan

Uncategorized

Apr 29, 2019

Lipner Published in Haaretz on AIPAC

There’s a war going on inside America’s pro-Israel camp, as doctrinaire Jewish right-wingers slam anyone who rejects their doubling down on Trump and Netanyahu. Doggedly bipartisan AIPAC has never seemed more moderate. Read more here.

Uncategorized

Apr 29, 2019

Lipner Published in Haaretz on AIPAC

There’s a war going on inside America’s pro-Israel camp, as doctrinaire Jewish right-wingers slam anyone who rejects their doubling down on Trump and Netanyahu. Doggedly bipartisan AIPAC has never seemed more moderate. Read more here.

Uncategorized

Apr 29, 2019

Lipner Published in Haaretz on AIPAC

There’s a war going on inside America’s pro-Israel camp, as doctrinaire Jewish right-wingers slam anyone who rejects their doubling down on Trump and Netanyahu. Doggedly bipartisan AIPAC has never seemed more moderate. Read more here.

IranSource

Apr 29, 2019

Is Iran running out of patience with nuclear agreements?

By Barbara Slavin

Ever since the Trump administration came to office, it has been applying pressure on Iran without provoking a new proliferation crisis. But the days of Donald Trump having his baklava, so to speak, and eating it too may be drawing to a close.

Iran

IranSource

Apr 26, 2019

Forgiveness: A growing anti-death penalty movement in Iran

By Tara Sepehri Far

With 253 executions in 2018—including six people executed for offenses they allegedly committed as children—Iran is still among the world’s leading executioners, according to Amnesty International’s recent annual report on global trends in executions. Yet executions in Iran dropped by half last year, from 507 in 2017.

Iran

Uncategorized

Apr 23, 2019

Slavin in Axios: How Trump’s push to end Iran oil exports could backfire

By Barbara Slavin

The Trump administration Monday dramatically escalated its campaign of economic warfare against Iran, announcing that it would not renew any waivers for countries to import Iranian oil after May 2. The big picture: Per Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the goal is for Iran to reverse its foreign and domestic policies and accede to 12 demands he set out in […]

IranSource

Apr 23, 2019

Trump’s gamble on Iranian oil exports may not play out the way he expects

By David Mortlock

On April 22, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the Trump Administration will not grant any exceptions from sanctions for entities involved in the purchase of petroleum products from Iran. The Trump administration’s apparent decision to compel buyers to zero out their purchases of Iranian oil is likely to have dramatic consequences on the effectiveness of sanctions on Iran and the markets, with the potential to negatively impact both.

Iran
Load More