Middle East

The Iran war is not about China

By Jonathan Fulton

China is behaving like a normal external power with interests in the region, not like a crisis manager shaping outcomes.

China Conflict

MENASource

Apr 9, 2026

Egypt’s foreign minister: One cannot secure waterways ‘while ignoring the political order of the states’ along the shore

By Maisoon H. Kafafy

Maisoon H. Kafafy reached out to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for his thoughts on this turbulent moment and the instability in the Horn of Africa.

East Africa Ethiopia

MENASource

Apr 7, 2026

American AI leadership can open a new chapter for Middle East integration

By Judd Olanoff

Countries will need access to cloud and compute like they need water and power plants. And they are turning to US companies to provide it.

Artificial Intelligence Israel

Content

Dispatches

Apr 17, 2026

Four scenarios for geopolitics after the Iran war

By Jeffrey Cimmino, Barry Pavel

Policymakers should consider four potential outcomes for the Iran war and how they would impact US-China competition.

Conflict Defense Policy

Dispatches

Apr 17, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz is ‘open,’ but the US blockade remains in place. Here’s what that means.

By Theresa Luetkefend, Joe Costa

How long can the US military sustain a naval blockade against Iran? What are the risks? Atlantic Council experts answer these and other pressing questions.

Conflict Iran

UkraineAlert

Apr 16, 2026

Drone diplomacy: Ukraine strengthens security role in Europe and the Gulf

By Maksym Beznosiuk, William Dixon

Ukraine has emerged since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 as a world leader in drone warfare. Kyiv is now using drone diplomacy to build security partnerships throughout Europe and the Middle East, write Maksym Beznosiuk and William Dixon.

Conflict Defense Technologies

MENASource

The Iran war is not about China

By Jonathan Fulton

China is behaving like a normal external power with interests in the region, not like a crisis manager shaping outcomes.

China Conflict

Dispatches

The Islamic Republic of Iran should be held accountable for aiding Russia’s crimes against Ukraine

By Haydee Dijkstal, Britt Gronemeyer

To deter the proliferation of Iranian drones, global courts and governments should pursue accountability for violating international law in supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Human Rights International Norms

In the News

Kroenig interviewed on CNN on the blockade of the Straight of Hormuz

By Atlantic Council

On April 14, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on CNN about the US blockade of the Straight of Hormuz and its strategic significance.

Iran Maritime Security

Dispatches

15 charts that explain why the Strait of Hormuz shutdown matters for the global economy

By Kate Burnett, Kevin Li, Lisa Basquel, and Chloe O’Connor

Until it was effectively closed, the waterway had been a critical artery for not only crude oil and liquefied natural gas, but several critical commodities as well.

Conflict Economy & Business

In the News

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Lebanon and Israel Have Opened a Historic Door. Washington Must Not Let Iran Shut It

By Atlantic Council

Israel Lebanon

Event Recap

The IEA’s Fatih Birol: Oil prices will soon begin ‘reflecting the severity’ of the energy crisis

By Katherine Golden

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Birol argued that oil prices, while high, are “not reflecting the severity of the problem” posed by the Iran war’s damage to infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

TURKEYSource

Zelenskyy’s Middle East and Turkey tour reveals a new regional order in the making

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Seizing momentum in the Middle East, Ukraine is leveraging battlefield innovation and its partnership with Turkey to translate wartime experience into geopolitical influence.

Defense Technologies Security & Defense

Experts

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Ibrahim Al-Assil

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Bisher Al-Khasawneh

Distinguished Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Arabic Defense Policy

Fellow

Yesar Al-Maleki

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Omar Al-Nidawi

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim