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

IranSource

May 2, 2019

IRGC change of command signals Tehran’s new offensive approach

By Maysam Behravesh

In a sudden announcement on April 21, Iran’s Supreme Leader appointed General Hossein Salami, the former deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), as the elite force’s new head.

Iran

MENASource

May 1, 2019

Sanctioning Iran’s climate

By Mana Mostatabi

Emblazoned across the jerseys of Iran's 2014 World Cup soccer team is a symbol of national pride: the endangered Asiatic cheetah. Iranian conservationists have worked for years to reverse the cat's dwindling population, and sadly their critical efforts are hampered by forces both in and outside of Iran.

Climate Change & Climate Action Iran

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