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

Sep 9, 2026

Ten questions (and expert answers) on the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

By
Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts unpack what the US withdrawal from Iraq means for the Middle East and beyond.


Iraq

Security & Defense


MENASource

Sep 8, 2026

Will Washington back the UN’s Libya roadmap with more than just rhetoric?

By
Frank Talbot

There are actionable steps the US can take now to help bring about Libya's first national elections in more than a decade.


Libya


MENASource

Sep 3, 2026

Bahrain’s opportunity for AI leadership lies under water

By
Minwa Alkhalifa

Bahrain could test the possibility of placing AI infrastructure, specifically data centers, under water.


Artificial Intelligence

The Gulf

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

In the News

Jul 13, 2014

Slavin: British Parliament Committee Endorses Limited Uranium Enrichment for Iran

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor on the endorsement by the British House of Commons’ Foreign Affairs Committee of a deal that would allow Iran to continue limited uranium enrichment:

Iran

In the News

Jul 12, 2014

Hof on Syrian Opposition Training in Jordan

By Frederic C. Hof

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on Jordan’s role in hosting an expanded rebel instruction program for members of the Syrian opposition:

Syria

SouthAsiaSource

Jul 11, 2014

This Week in South Asia: July 5 – 11

By Fahad Ahsan and Nameerah Hameed

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. AfghanistanThe dispute over Afghanistan’s presidential elections reached new heights this week, as candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah rejected the preliminary results that placed Ashraf Ghani Ahmedzai in the lead by 12 percentage points and threatened […]

Afghanistan India

MENASource

Jul 11, 2014

The Politics of Subsidy Reform in Egypt

By EgyptSource

The dust has yet to settle since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced that the government is lifting energy subsidies, leading to a price increase of up to 78 percent on gasoline and 175 percent on natural gas. As the country continues to witness a public backlash and price hikes, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jul 11, 2014

The Politics Versus Economics of Subsidy Reform in MENA

By Svetlana Milbert

Subsidies, particularly on energy, are still widely used around the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, but there is growing consensus that urgent reforms are needed to address costly and distortive economic effects of energy subsidies.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Jul 11, 2014

And They Call Themselves Liberals

By Amr Hamzawy

Have you ever heard of ‘liberal’ parties and political movements which at times keep silent about human rights violations and freedoms and at other times justify, defend, and even revel in such violations, as long as they are committed against those whose views differ from their own? 

North Africa

Webcasts

Jul 10, 2014

The Political Economy of Subsidy Reforms in MENA: Progress and Challenges

Please join us on July 10, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for a conversation with Daniel Gressani who will present the IMF’s latest progress assessment of energy reforms undertaken by MENA countries based on regional reform experiences, as well as in the rest of the world over the last two decades. Gressani will […]

Middle East

MENASource

Jul 10, 2014

Egypt Government Unprepared for Repercussions of Subsidy Reform

By EgyptSource

Egypt-based development economist & nonresident fellow Mohamed El Dahshan offers his views of the impact of energy subsidy reform in Egypt. In a brief video interview, Dahshan highlights the repercussions of the removal of subsidies. According to the nonresident fellow, the Egyptian government is unprepared for inflation of prices, already witnessed in the transportation sector. […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jul 10, 2014

Syria: Should the West Work With Assad?

By Frederic C. Hof

The combination of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) running amok in Iraq and the appearance of an Assad regime military victory in western Syria have added octane to arguments that Washington should forego its step-aside guidance to Bashar al-Assad.

Syria

In the News

Jul 10, 2014

Itani on How ISIS Threatens Jordanian Stability

By Faysal Itani

Al Jazeera America quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on how the presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham in Iraq could affect stability in Jordan:

Iraq
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Iliyana Arnaudova

Clean Energy Finance Manager, C40

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Fellow

Sareta Ashraph

Senior Legal Advisor

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

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia

Fellow

Elizabeth Moore Aubin

Distinguished Fellow, North Africa Program

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

French Middle East

Fellow

Marino Auffant

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
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