All in-depth research & reports

Issue Brief

Sep 10, 2018

US policy in Syria: A seven-year reckoning

By Faysal Itani and Nate Rosenblatt

Seven years from the Syrian revolution, the conflict in Syria has altered the course of history for the generation coming of age in the region.

Conflict Middle East
Iraq

Issue Brief

Jul 18, 2018

Beyond security: Stabilization, governance, and socioeconomic challenges in Iraq

By Dr. Harith Hasan

As unrest over the Iraqi government’s failure to provide essential services grips southern Iraq, the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is offering insight and analysis beyond the headlines. In a new issue brief, Beyond Security: Stabilization, Governance, and Socioeconomic Challenges in Iraq, Dr. Harith Hasan explores the ways in which economic and social […]

Economy & Business Iraq

Issue Brief

Jul 18, 2018

Beyond security: Stabilization, governance, and socioeconomic challenges in Iraq

By Dr. Harith Hasan

In his new issue brief, Dr. Harith Hasan explores the ways in which economic and social issues play into Iraq’s instability and the genesis of violent conflict.

Economy & Business Iraq

Issue Brief

Jun 26, 2018

Environmental and wildlife degradation in Iran

By David Laylin

Environmental degradation has become a major issue in Iran. It is a source of economic hardship, ill health, social disruption, and recent political protests. Climate change has been a factor in this deterioration but so has mismanagement of the country’s once ample natural resources. Our latest issue brief, Environmental and Wildlife Degradation in Iran, authored […]

Energy & Environment Iran

Issue Brief

Jun 26, 2018

Environmental and wildlife degradation in Iran

By David Laylin

Environmental degradation has become a major issue in Iran. It is a source of economic hardship, ill health, social disruption, and recent political protests.

Energy & Environment Iran

Issue Brief

May 7, 2018

The United States-Lebanese armed forces partnership: Challenges, risks, and rewards

By Nicholas Blanford

Over the past year, many have questioned the extent to which the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are an arm of the Lebanese state or beholden to Hezbollah. Pointing to the LAF’s complicated relationship with Hezbollah, congressional and other voices in the United States have criticized US security assistance to Lebanon and threatened to withhold assistance. […]

Iran Middle East

Issue Brief

Apr 18, 2018

The new Turkey: Making sense of Turkish decision-making

By Aaron Stein

This new issue brief by Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Dr. Aaron Stein explores the challenges facing the United States and Europe as Turkish politicians use foreign policy as a tool for populist political gain. To better understand the relationship between Turkish policy-making and public opinion, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center worked with Metropoll, a […]

NATO Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Apr 18, 2018

The new Turkey: Making sense of Turkish decision-making

By Aaron Stein

This new issue brief by Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Dr. Aaron Stein explores the challenges facing the United States and Europe as Turkish politicians use foreign policy as a tool for populist political gain.

NATO Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Apr 6, 2018

Iran’s Sunnis resist extremism, but for how long?

By Scheherezade Faramarzi

A predominantly Shia nation, the Islamic Republic of Iran has a substantial Sunni population that receives little attention compared to the country’s other minorities. Last year’s attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in the capital Tehran have raised fears that disgruntled Iranian Sunnis, who have until now largely escaped extremist influences, […]

Extremism Iran

Issue Brief

Apr 6, 2018

Iran’s Sunnis resist extremism, but for how long?

By Scheherezade Faramarzi

Veteran journalist Scheherezade Faramarzi lays bare Iran's religious makeup, the history of the Sunni population, the influence of regional actors like Saudi Arabia, and efforts by the Iranian government to support Iranian Sunni leaders who advocate peaceful coexistence with Tehran.

Extremism Iran