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

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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.

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

Event Recap

Jun 20, 2017

The origins and evolution of ISIS in Libya

By Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East launched a new report, the origins and evolution of ISIS in Libya, authored by Jason Pack, Rhiannon Smith, and Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Karim Mezran. Jason Pack is the Founder and Director of Eye on ISIS in Libya and Rhiannon Smith is the Managing Director of Eye […]

Extremism Libya

SyriaSource

Mar 27, 2017

How Russia beat Turkey in Syria

By Aaron Stein

Turkish-Russian relations have been poor for years because of conflicting agendas in Syria. The Russian decision to intervene in late September 2015 directly challenged Turkish interests. At the outset of the Russian military operation, the goal appeared to be point defense of core regime areas, including the Latakia coast and the road to Damascus. Turkey, […]

Syria

Issue Brief

Dec 21, 2016

Turkey’s nuclear program

By Aaron Stein

To decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels the Turkish government has made ambitious plans to increase its production of nuclear energy. It has reached tentative agreement with Russia and a Japanese-French consortium to build two nuclear power plants near Mersin on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and in the Sinop District on the Black Sea coast. […]

Nuclear Energy Turkey

Issue Brief

Dec 21, 2016

Turkey’s nuclear program

By Aaron Stein

To decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels the Turkish government has made ambitious plans to increase its production of nuclear energy. It has reached tentative agreement with Russia and a Japanese-French consortium to build two nuclear power plants near Mersin on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and in the Sinop District on the Black Sea coast.

Nuclear Energy Turkey

Uncategorized

Dec 16, 2016

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Issue Brief

Oct 31, 2016

Aftermath of the Arab spring in North Africa

By Mohsin Khan and Karim Mezran

At the outset of the political uprisings that began in North Africa in 2010, the four countries of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia faced similar economic and political challenges. Over the past almost six years, the countries have adopted different approaches to address these problems, however the overall economic picture today is grim amid varied […]

Economy & Business Libya

Uncategorized

Sep 12, 2016

About the Religion, Identity, and Human Rights in the Middle East

The Atlantic Council’s Religion and Human Rights project, a project of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, explores the Islamic tradition and the human rights discourse worldwide. With generous support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the initiative, led by Nonresident Senior Fellow Dr H.A. Hellyer, engages international scholars, grassroots activists, and […]

20160802 MEST-Video-Contest-Button

Uncategorized

Aug 2, 2016

#MESTVideo Contest

Every day, news from the Middle East paints a portrait of chaos and despair. But in the maelstrom of violence and conflict, there are stories of hope, optimism, and progress for the region. Make a short video highlighting such a story. Note: Submissions in both Arabic and English are welcome. PRIZES First place – $1,000 […]

Abbas-Hassan

Uncategorized

May 3, 2016

Task Force Senior Advisers

       Dr. Hassan Abbas Hassan Abbas is a Senior Advisor and Bernard Schwartz Fellow at Asia Society, and Professor of International Security Studies at National Defense University’s College of International Security Affairs. He is currently also a Nonresident Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. Dr. Dlawer Ala’Aldeen Dlawer Ala’Aldeen is the […]

Uncategorized

Apr 29, 2016

Rebuilding Syria

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