Middle East

Middle East

Stretching from the Western Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East continues to be a region struggling with violent conflict, political repression, and poor development. Numerous pro-democracy protest movements, a burgeoning youth population, and efforts to reform governments and lessen economic dependence on oil, however, are causes for optimism. The United States and the international community must remain engaged with the region to provide support for these positive moves and to address the many remaining challenges.

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The latest pieces from MENASource:


MENASource

May 8, 2026

New avenues for Syria-EU cooperation are forming amid conflict in the Middle East

By
Marie Forestier 

The May 11 EU-Syria High-Level Political Dialogue marks a step toward a closer partnership.


Energy & Environment

European Union


MENASource

May 7, 2026

Egypt’s bet on land monetization

By
Amir Asmar

There’s little doubt that Egypt's land development efforts will have measurable economic benefits, but they are unlikely, by themselves, to put the country’s economy on a solid footing.


North & West Africa


MENASource

May 5, 2026

Dispatch from Beirut: Israel-Hezbollah talks risk falling into a failed, decades-long pattern

By
Nicholas Blanford

As the war with Israel revives Hezbollah and divides Lebanon, the ongoing negotiations echo failed 1983 talks.


Conflict

Israel

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.

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Content

MENASource

Oct 24, 2014

Carter Center Under Fire in Egypt

By Khaled Dawoud

The Carter Center’s decision last week to end its operations in Cairo, after sharply criticizing Egypt’s human rights record and an atmosphere unconducive to hold fair parliament elections, sorely embarrassed a government that has claimed it is on track to restore the country’s elected bodies.

North Africa

SouthAsiaSource

Oct 24, 2014

This Week in South Asia: October 18-24

By Elijah Logsdon and Refayat Haque

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week.   Iran Pakistani and Iranian border forces exchanged mortar fire this week. The incident occurred a day after officials from each side met to discuss tensions along the border, resulting in an agreement to […]

Afghanistan India

In the News

Oct 24, 2014

Greenfield on Violence in Yemen

By Danya Greenfield

Rafik Hariri Center Deputy Director Danya Greenfield joins Voice of America’s Encounter to discuss recent aggression by the Houthi movement in Yemen: 

Yemen

MENASource

Oct 24, 2014

Egypt’s Crackdown on Student Protests: The Last “Open Space”

By Rana Muhammad Taha

With a tumultuous academic year in 2013/2014 that left at least sixteen students dead, Egypt’s authorities have braced themselves for more upheaval. Weeks ahead of the start of the semester, measures have been put in place to control, or even eliminate, on-campus student activity.

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 23, 2014

Photo Essay: Countdown to Tunisia’s Parliamentary Elections

By Christine Petré

Tunisians will head to the polls to elect a parliament on October 26, the first election since the adoption of the post-revolution constitution earlier this year. After polarization intensified in 2013 on the heels of two high-profile political assassinations, the upcoming parliamentary elections mark a critical step toward consolidating Tunisia’s democracy.

North Africa

Event Recap

Oct 23, 2014

Parliamentary Elections 2014: Tunisia’s Political Landscape

By Atlantic Council

On October 26, Tunisians head to the polls to elect a parliament amid frustration and uncertainty in the transitioning country’s stability. Fear and distrust of political elites, a sluggish economy, high unemployment, and deteriorating security have tempered electoral enthusiasm, raising prospects for low voter turnout. Parliamentary elections, the first since the adoption of the new […]

Elections North Africa

Article

Oct 23, 2014

Column: Lessons of North Korea for Iran Nuclear Talks

By Barbara Slavin

Among the arguments marshaled by those wary of a nuclear agreement with Iran is that past efforts to negotiate away North Korea’s nuclear weapons program failed. Iran’s regime, they argue, is just as untrustworthy as North Korea’s and what’s more, Wendy Sherman, the chief U.S. negotiator with Iran, was also involved in talks with the […]

Iran Korea

In the News

Oct 23, 2014

Mardini on Challenges Facing Iraq’s Prime Minister

By Ramzy Mardini

Bloomberg Businessweek quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Ramzy Mardini on the limits of Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi’s power:

Iraq

MENASource

Oct 23, 2014

Tunisia’s Elections Amid a Middle East Cold War

By Youssef Cherif

With the Tunisian elections mere days away, political parties face a skeptical population fed-up with politics after a turbulent three years since the revolution that ousted Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Short of resources for their electoral campaigns, parties search for their appropriate patrons as the country tries to fend off a deepening economic crisis.

North Africa

Event Recap

Oct 22, 2014

Luncheon Discussion with Tunisian Presidential Candidate Mondher Zenaidi

By Africa Center

On November 28, nearly four years after the Arab Spring swept across much of North Africa and the Middle East, Tunisians will go to the polls to elect their first president since the adoption of a new constitution.

Africa North Africa
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Experts

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Fellow

Petr Tůma

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Arabic Central Europe
Gemma Ungoed-Thomas

Fellow

Gemma Ungoed-Thomas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Artificial Intelligence Crisis Management

Fellow

Christine van den Toorn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Anna Van Hollen

Director, Policy Planning, Meta

Millennium Leadership Program

Internet Media

Fellow

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms
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