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

Report

Feb 12, 2014

The state of Arab transitions: Hope resilient despite many unmet demands

By Mirette F. Mabrouk and Stefanie A. Hausheer

Report authors Mirette F. Mabrouk, deputy director for regional programs, and Stefanie A. Hausheer, assistant director, examine the progress in achieving the original demands of protestors and contend that local actors would embrace greater international support to help facilitate genuine transitions. By examining six key themes—political polarization, constitution-drafting processes, transitional justice, economic progress, civil society […]

Civil Society Democratic Transitions
Image Credit: US Dept. of State

Issue Brief

Dec 12, 2013

Building a better US-Gulf partnership

By Richard LeBaron

A new Atlantic Council issue brief, “Building a Better US-Gulf Partnership,” contends that the United States and its Gulf partners must prioritize and build on their shared interests in light of ongoing erosion of ties, and a fundamental gap in expectations about the US role in the region and its commitment to security for the […]

The Gulf

Report

Dec 4, 2013

Yemen’s economic agenda: Beyond short-term survival

By Danya Greenfield

A new Atlantic Council report, Yemen’s Economic Agenda: Beyond Short-Term Survival, argues that if the Yemeni government fails to prioritize progress on the economic front, the country’s democratic transition risks derailment and may witness renewed conflict. Prioritizing the economy has been postponed because of political uncertainty and security problems, but the status quo can no […]

Democratic Transitions Economy & Business
US-EU arab transitions cover

Report

Sep 25, 2013

US and EU: Lack of strategic vision, frustrated efforts toward the Arab transitions

By Danya Greenfield and Amy Hawthorne

A new Atlantic Council report, US and EU: Lack of Strategic Vision, Frustrated Efforts Toward the Arab Transitions, argues the United States and its European allies lack strategic vision in supporting the Arab countries that embarked in 2011 on a democratic path—Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen—and have not lived up to their stated commitments for […]

Democratic Transitions European Union

Issue Brief

Aug 29, 2013

The Libyan economy after the revolution: Still no clear vision

By Mohsin Khan and Karim Mezran

In the latest issue brief from the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center, authors Mohsin Khan and Karim Mezran evaluate the Libyan economy and progress since popular uprisings in February 2011 and the eventual ouster of the Muammar Qaddafi regime. Virtually all economic activity, especially oil production (the mainstay of the Libyan economy) witnessed a dramatic […]

Libya

Issue Brief

Aug 5, 2013

Jordan’s youth: Avenues for activism

By Danya Greenfield

In the latest issue brief from the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center, “Jordan’s Youth: Avenues for Activism,” author Danya Greenfield evaluates the role of Jordanian youth in political activism, and contends that youth will ultimately take the helm of political change given Jordan’s current political and economic climate. While Jordanians are focused on mounting pressures […]

Issue Brief

Jul 11, 2013

Electoral politics under Tunisia’s new constitution

By Duncan Pickard

In the latest issue brief from the Rafik Hariri Center at the Atlantic Council, “Electoral Politics Under Tunisia’s New Constitution,” author Duncan Pickard assesses the challenges and likely outcomes for political parties in Tunisia after the completion of the country’s new constitution. Tunisians have been waiting for a new constitution to cement democratic order after […]

North Africa

Issue Brief

Jul 9, 2013

Beyond spillover: Syria’s role in Lebanon’s drift toward political violence

By Faysal Itani and Sarah Grebowski

Two new issue briefs from the Rafik Hariri Center at the Atlantic Council evaluate the complex and pernicious effects of Syria’s civil war on Lebanon. In this issue brief, Hariri Center Fellow Faysal Itani and Research Assistant Sarah Grebowski assess the political, security, and humanitarian implications of the Syria crisis in Lebanon. Events in Syria have sharpened existing fault […]

Syria

Issue Brief

May 21, 2013

Post-revolutionary politics in Libya: Inside the General National Congress

By Karim Mezran, Fadel Laman, and Eric Knecht

In the latest issue brief from the Rafik Hariri Center at the Atlantic Council, “Post-revolutionary Politics in Libya: Inside the General National Congress,” authors Karim Mezran, Fadel Lamen, and Eric Knecht analyze the evolution of Libya’s political landscape since the July 2012 elections for the General National Congress (GNC). In the lead-up to the GNC […]

Libya

Issue Brief

May 13, 2013

Egypt’s litigious transition: Judicial intervention and the muddied road to democracy

By Mahmoud Hamad

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is pleased to release a new issue brief, Egypt’s Litigious Transition: Judicial Intervention and the Muddied Road to Democracy. Mahmoud Hamad, assistant professor of politics and international relations at Drake University, evaluates to the evolving role of Egypt’s judiciary in the country’s transition since the ouster of […]

North Africa