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

Apr 14, 2014

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families in Moadamiya, Syria

By Matthew Hall

Philip Gourevitch had the terrible duty to chronicle the spasm of genocidal violence that visited Rwanda twenty years ago. His work captured in intimate detail not only the gruesome action of machetes but also victims’ unheeded appeals for help. In a tragic episode that gave Gourevitch’s book its title, a group of community leaders huddled […]

Syria

In the News

Apr 12, 2014

Slavin on Peace Process, Nuclear Negotiations

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins Voice of America’s Issues in the News to discuss the stalled Middle East peace talks, negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, and pro-Russian demonstrations in Ukraine: 

Iran Russia

In the News

Apr 11, 2014

Slavin on Threat of Collapsed Syrian Health Care System

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al Monitor on how more Syrians are dying from preventable diseases than from combat:

Syria

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 11, 2014

This Week in South Asia: April 5 – 11

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. AfghanistanA large segment of the Afghan populace turned out to elect the country’s next President as 7 of the 12 million voters exercised their franchise this week. Unexpectedly, the overall turnout reported was close […]

Afghanistan India

MENASource

Apr 11, 2014

Anti-Coup Terrorism: License and Reluctance

By Jayson Casper

There are two types of terrorism in Egypt today, and neither fits exactly the traditional Western usage. Rather than an indiscriminate violence against innocent civilians, both target almost exclusively the security state.

North Africa

In the News

Apr 11, 2014

Hof on Jordanian Support in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The New York Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof on Jordan’s covert support of Syrian opposition forces: 

Syria

In the News

Apr 10, 2014

Slavin: Former Radicals Are Now the Moderates We Need

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes in the New York Times‘ Room for Debate that the United States should reconsider its decision to deny a visa to Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to the UN, Hamid Aboutalebi:

Iran

MENASource

Apr 10, 2014

Why Assad’s Foothold in the Golan Will Endure

By Daniel Stoker

During the three years of war across the border in Syria, periodic reports have surfaced claiming that the Druze population in the Israeli controlled Golan Heights is inching closer to turning against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria

MENASource

Apr 10, 2014

Egypt’s Presidential Elections: Washington and the Western Camp [Part IV]

By Nader Bakkar

Since June 30, the United States has faced an escalating crisis in its strategic relationship with Egypt. A lack of trust in key parties involved in the country’s transition has caused a great deal of confusion and hesitancy in Washington towards Egypt and its upcoming presidential elections, which are less than two months away.

Elections North Africa

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2014

Mideast Diplomacy Looks Bleak but Alternatives are Worse

By Barbara Slavin

The Obama administration has certainly had better weeks in Middle East diplomacy. The Israeli-Palestinian talks appear to be collapsing in a fit of finger-pointing, and Syria increasingly resembles a slow-motion Rwanda. Only Iran negotiations continue to progress, albeit with obstacles looming as the parties approach a mid-summer deadline for a long-term nuclear agreement.

Israel Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Nathan Sales

Distinguished fellow, Middle East Programs

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

Extremism Human Rights

Fellow

Jean-Loup Samaan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Defense Policy

Staff

Nushin Sarkarati

Deputy Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Corruption Human Rights

Fellow

Joumana Seif

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

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

Millennium fellow

Alp Sevimlisoy

CEO, Alp Sevimlisoy Yatırım (Alp Sevimlisoy Investment)

Millennium Leadership Program

NATO Trade and tariffs
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Events

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The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
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