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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Jan 15, 2026

After Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, what comes next?

By Amit Yarom

Recognition reshapes the scope of bilateral engagement but does not eliminate the constraints tied to Somaliland’s contested status.

Africa
East Africa

MENASource

Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.

Civil Society
Crisis Management

MENASource

Jan 13, 2026

Eight questions (and expert answers) on the SDF’s withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack why violence erupted, what it means for Kurdish safety and integration in Syria, and how Washington is engaging.

Civil Society
Conflict
READ More from MENASOURCE

Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Learn more

Content

Dispatches

Jan 16, 2026

Why Israel is responding to protests in Iran with caution

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Israel might find itself in danger if the current regime survives and stabilizes, or if the regime is replaced by hardliners.

Conflict
Iran

MENASource

Jan 15, 2026

After Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, what comes next?

By Amit Yarom

Recognition reshapes the scope of bilateral engagement but does not eliminate the constraints tied to Somaliland’s contested status.

Africa
East Africa

In the News

Jan 14, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: A Father’s Cry, a Nation’s Future

By Atlantic Council

Freedom and Prosperity
Iran

MENASource

Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.

Civil Society
Crisis Management

MENASource

Jan 13, 2026

Eight questions (and expert answers) on the SDF’s withdrawal from Syria’s Aleppo

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts unpack why violence erupted, what it means for Kurdish safety and integration in Syria, and how Washington is engaging.

Civil Society
Conflict

In the News

Jan 13, 2026

Kroenig interviewed on NPR on Trump’s threats against Iran

By Atlantic Council

On January 13, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on NPR's "Morning Edition" where he discussed the Trump administration's threats of military action against Iran.

Iran
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 12, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Saudi Arabia, Strategic Clarity, and the Architecture of Middle East Stability

By Atlantic Council

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 12, 2026

The Venezuela-Iran connection and what Maduro’s capture means for Tehran, explained 

By Joze Pelayo, Kirsten Fontenrose, Ellie Sennett 

Our experts break down Iran’s ties to Venezuela and the impact Maduro’s capture could have on Tehran’s interests in and outside of its own borders. 

Iran
Oil and Gas

MENASource

Jan 8, 2026

As Iran protests continue, policymakers should apply these key lessons

By Abram Paley and Nate Swanson

The Iranian people are bravely leading the current protests. It is essential to keep the focus on them.

Civil Society
Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

MENASource

Jan 8, 2026

Iraq’s pathway to stability relies on transfers of power

By Yerevan Saeed

The key question is not whether Sudani is like al-Maliki but whether a second term would reduce competition and weaken institutions.

Elections
Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

Staff

Kayra Sener 

Program Assistant, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Omer Rafiq

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Hindi

Fellow

Safwan Al-Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia
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