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

MENASource

Apr 14, 2014

Syria: “Unbelievably Small” Confirmed

By Fred C. Hof

Secretary of State John Kerry’s Syria-related testimony of April 9th to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee attracted the attention of many at the Lebanese Army’s Fourth Annual Strategic Conference in Beirut.  Kerry confirmed in his testimony that his September 2013 characterization of pending American airstrikes as an “unbelievably small, limited kind of effort” was literally […]

Syria

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
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Alexandra Clare

CEO and Co-Founder, Re:Coded

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Gavin Clough

2023-24 Senior US Navy Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Eastern Europe

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Jonathan R. Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Greece Iraq

Fellow

R. Clarke Cooper

Distinguished fellow, Middle East Programs

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

Africa Defense Policy

Fellow

Scott Cooper

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Civil Society
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Events

Online Event Tue, September 22, 2026 • 5:30 pm ET

President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Syria’s future, reconstruction, and regional role

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will discuss his vision for Syria’s future and his government’s priorities for reconstruction, economic recovery, and institutional reform.

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions Geopolitics & Energy Security