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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Nov 4, 2025

Twelve questions (and expert answers) on the Iraq elections

By Atlantic Council experts

Iraq is set to hold elections on November 11. Our experts unpack the key questions looming over the landmark vote.

Elections Iraq

MENASource

Oct 31, 2025

Inside the divides of Iraq’s Coordination Framework—and why they matter ahead of landmark elections 

By Rend Al-Rahim

The November election will not necessarily determine who the next prime minister will be, but it will provide an opportunity to shift power dynamics within the fractious Shia bloc.

Elections Iraq

MENASource

Oct 28, 2025

US energy firms are returning to Iraq—but politics could undo their fortunes

By Raad Alkadiri

Al-Sudani’s rush to sign deals with US firms over the past few months is fundamentally about political survival, both his own and Iraq’s.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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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.

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Content

MENASource

Aug 19, 2025

For enduring normalization, Israel must back democracy in Sudan

By Nasredeen Abdulbari

Israel should align itself with Sudan’s genuine pro-democracy civilian forces—not its military elites.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Aug 13, 2025

What to know about the history (and future) of the Hezbollah disarmament question

By Kristian Patrick Alexander

Domestic opposition and international demands have brought the question of Hezbollah’s arms to the fore, placing the group in an increasingly precarious position.

Arms Control Conflict

MENASource

Aug 12, 2025

There is a way forward for a two-state solution, if Palestinian leaders embrace the Abraham Accords

By Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi

By collaborating with regional partners and taking incremental steps within the framework of the Abraham Accords, the PA can move closer to realizing a Palestinian state.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Aug 12, 2025

Sacrificing Ukraine will only increase the cost of stopping Putin’s Russia

By Pavlo Zhovnirenko

Pressuring Ukraine to accept a Kremlin-friendly settlement may succeed in pausing the current war, but it will not bring peace. On the contrary, it will set the stage for international instability on a far larger scale, writes Pavlo Zhovnirenko.

China Conflict

MENASource

Aug 11, 2025

The United Kingdom has joined C-SIPA. Who will be next?

By Cassidy McGoldrick

To fully realize the regional security architecture that the United States and Bahrain envision, policymakers will need to expand C-SIPA within the Middle East region.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Aug 8, 2025

Sweida’s humanitarian crisis presents a test for Syria’s transitional government and its global partners

By Diana Rayes 

Sweida is not an isolated tragedy—it is a litmus test for Syria's fragile political transition and for the international community’s resolve to respond to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Aug 8, 2025

Israel’s gamble in Gaza City signals a push toward negotiation—but risks a long insurgency

By Alex Plitsas

Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza City is aimed at ending its war with Hamas. But without careful planning, it risks starting a new conflict against a brewing insurgency.

Conflict Defense Policy

MENASource

Aug 7, 2025

Why Gaza’s post-Hamas future depends on its Arab neighbors—not just Israel

By Maayan Dagan

The international community is likely to support—both ideologically and financially—a local or Arab-led post-war solution for Gaza.

Conflict Middle East

Issue Brief

Aug 7, 2025

Regenerative farming in Iraq: Challenges, opportunities, and policy recommendations

By Sarkawt Shamsulddin

Despite the challenges and limitations in the current agricultural policies in Iraq, there are significant opportunities for policy intervention to promote regenerative agriculture.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

MENASource

Aug 5, 2025

Did the Israel-Iran war expose China’s Middle East policy?

By Andrea Ghiselli

The region’s importance in Beijing’s foreign policy is limited and, thus, not much energy and resources are invested in long-term planning.

China Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Alina L. Romanowski

Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Olivia Azadegan

Senior Energy Manager, Global Methane Hub

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Rabah Arezki

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Samantha Sutton

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Israel

Fellow

Dan Minnocci

Senior US Air Force Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Sofronis Papageorgiou 

Head, Cyprus Trade Center, Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus to the State of Israel

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy Markets & Governance Middle East
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