MENASource

Jul 24, 2019

A passage to India: Israel’s pivot East

By Grace Wermenbol

As Israel gears up for an election do-over in September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will once again look to foreign leaders to bolster his leadership potential and diplomatic experience.

India Israel

IranSource

Jul 24, 2019

Will the UK’s new prime minister take Trump’s side on Iran?

By Giorgio Cafiero and Andreas Krieg

In recent months, a host of developments have fueled significant tension between the United Kingdom and Iran. The UK Parliament’s decision to classify Lebanese militant group Hezbollah “in its entirety” as a terrorist organization earlier this year, London siding with the Trump administration against Iran in the June 20 drone incident, and the tanker detainment episodes in Gibraltar and the Strait of Hormuz this month have driven this downward trajectory in UK-Iran relations.

Iran

MENASource

Jul 22, 2019

No justice, no peace: The failure of Kushner’s peace to prosperity workshop

By Iyad Yousef

US President Donald Trump’s administration team failed to gather required support from Arab countries during the Bahrain workshop for its economic plan, which would have been the cornerstone for the undisclosed political strategy policy for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The economic plan, through its three initiatives, could address paramount determinants of economic prosperity and peace, economic growth, human capital, and governance.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Jul 22, 2019

Tensions in the Persian Gulf reflect power struggle inside Iran

By Noah Annan

Throughout the past four decades, US observers have disagreed about the nature of Iran’s factional politics and some have even questioned whether real differences exist. Rising tensions in the Persian Gulf seem to reflect Iran’s unified reaction to the US “maximum pressure” campaign.

Iran

MENASource

Jul 18, 2019

Expert rapid response: Erbil attack

By MENASource

On Wednesday July 17, 2019 a shooting took place in a restaurant in Erbil, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, that allegedly killed a Turkish diplomat serving in the consulate, Osman Kose, and two Iraqi civilians. Reports claim that three assailants with alleged Islamic State (ISIS) allegiances were behind the shooting and quickly killed as well although investigations are still pending. No group claimed the attack with the PKK spokesperson denying its involvement.

Iraq

MENASource

Jul 18, 2019

Poor air quality and lost economic opportunities

By Mahmoud Abouelnaga

Air quality in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has deteriorated dramatically over the last few decades. Recent research on global level of pollution ranked Cairo as the most polluted city in the world. The situation in other major cities in the region is not very different from the Egyptian capital. The region has witnessed major shifts in energy production and consumption trends over the last few decades which contribute to high levels of air pollution.

Middle East

IranSource

Jul 18, 2019

Trump’s Iran policy is undermining Gulf oil security

By Hadi Fathallah

How many oil tankers laden with Saudi or Emirati oil need to be attacked around the Strait of Hormuz for the US to use force in the Gulf? That is not an American problem, according to US President Donald Trump.

Iran Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jul 16, 2019

A shift in Iraqi politics: An opposition emerges

By Rend al-Rahim

Since 2003, the principle of multi-party consensus has defined Iraq’s political system. This formula was deemed best for Iraq during a transition period, and it relied on the existence of broad sectarian and ethnic coalitions.

Iraq
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani visiting an oil refinery in Bandar Abbas (Photo: baorco.ir)

IranSource

Jul 16, 2019

Iran’s crude oil exports: what minimum is enough to stay afloat?

By Mohsen Tavakol

With the US aiming to bring Iran’s petroleum exports to a complete stop through imposed sanctions, and Iran’s dependence on petroleum revenues, the Iranian government will do its utmost to secure the minimum required oil exports. But, what is that minimum? In order to perhaps find an answer, one needs to understand current Iranian macroeconomics.

Economy & Business Iran

IranSource

Jul 11, 2019

Iran’s strategy to tackle sanctions: pre-selling oil

By Sara Vakhshouri

Iran’s vice president, Eshaq Jahangiri, announced July 8 that any powerful country that is willing to work with Iran can pre-purchase Iranian oil. Iran is actively trying to convince its traditional costumers to purchase its oil for future deliveries in return for investment, goods or services in advance.

Iran
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Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

The Atlantic Council’s work on social, economic and human development issues in the Middle East honors the legacy of Rafik Hariri and his life’s mission to unlock the human and economic potential of the Arab world.

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