The Qatari prime minister on what this weekend’s hostage negotiations say about the future of the Middle East

MENASource Jun 24, 2025

Dispatch from the Gulf: Finding middle ground amid Israel-Iran war

By Allison Minor

Congressional delegation visit coincided with Israel and Iran squaring off in a direct military confrontation.
Iran Israel
The Qatari prime minister on what this weekend’s hostage negotiations say about the future of the Middle East

MENASource Jun 18, 2025

Dispatch from Jerusalem: Inside Israel’s bunkers as Iran war erupts

By Sarah Zaaimi

The stakes are higher as two opposing rhetorics about the region’s future are at play: Pan-Abrahamism and Revolutionary Islamism.
Civil Society Iran
The Qatari prime minister on what this weekend’s hostage negotiations say about the future of the Middle East

Inflection Points Jun 14, 2025

Israel’s Iran strike provides a historic chance for Middle East realignment

By Frederick Kempe

History will remember this moment less for the Israeli strikes themselves and more for what follows.
Iran Israel

Israel-Hamas war

Experts from across the Atlantic Council are providing insight and analysis at speed and in depth on the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Israel’s response, and how the emerging conflict is upending the Middle East and the world.

Programs

The N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, seeks to broaden and deepen normalization between Israel and Arab and Muslim countries. It works with governments to produce actionable recommendations to deliver tangible benefits to their people.

Learn more

Content

Inflection Points Today

Jan 30, 2024

The Qatari prime minister on what this weekend’s hostage negotiations say about the future of the Middle East

By Frederick Kempe

The success of Qatari mediation will be a leading indicator of what is possible.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jan 29, 2024

Qatar’s prime minister sees progress on Israel-Hamas hostage negotiations—but warns regional tensions are ‘boiling up’

By Katherine Golden

At an AC Front Page event, Al-Thani discussed talks that took place in Paris over the weekend, which he said made “good progress” on mapping a way out of the conflict.

Conflict Crisis Management

Transcript

Jan 29, 2024

Qatar’s prime minister on Israel-Hamas hostage negotiations and the prospects for a two-state solution

By Atlantic Council

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Al Thani discussed his country's role in mediating Israel-Hamas hostage negotiations.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Jan 26, 2024

My son is being held hostage in Gaza. On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, should October 7 be evoked?

By Jonathan Dekel-Chen

The destruction and suffering wrought by Hamas on that horrible day stand alone. 

Conflict Israel

New Atlanticist

Jan 26, 2024

Experts react: What the International Court of Justice said (and didn’t say) in the genocide case against Israel

By Atlantic Council experts

South Africa asked the court to order an immediate cease-fire. Israel asked the court to throw out the case. Atlantic Council experts explain what the court did instead.

Conflict Israel

In the News

Jan 26, 2024

Rich Outzen joins WION News to discuss ICJ ruling
International Organizations Israel

MENASource

Jan 25, 2024

Can whatever remains of Hamas in Gaza be administratively and politically rehabilitated?

By Ahmed F. Alkhatib

The realities on the ground and Israel’s inability to fully eradicate Hamas necessitate addressing this uncomfortable question.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Jan 17, 2024

Hamas hostage-taking must not go unpunished. The ICC must make a case against the terrorist group.

By Brandon Silver and Irwin Cotler

If Hamas hostage-taking is left unaddressed and its victims go without redress, international norms will be severely eroded.

Conflict Human Rights

MENASource

Jan 16, 2024

Experts react: What to expect after Iranian attacks on Erbil

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts share their insights about the attack and what to expect next.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jan 12, 2024

What it took to rescue a US soldier’s mother from Gaza

By Alex Plitsas

Read a first-hand account of the recent rescue from northern Gaza told by a member of the group that organized the daring operation.

Conflict Crisis Management
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Experts

Fellow

Jonathan R. Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Greece Iraq

Fellow

Ahmed F. Alkhatib

Resident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Jean-Loup Samaan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Defense Policy

Fellow

Daniel B. Shapiro

Distinguished Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Conflict English

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Fellow

Rachel Whitlark

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense

Defense Policy Israel

Events

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