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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Jun 4, 2025

Why Iraq should build bridges with its ‘new’ neighbor, Syria

By Shermine Serbest

Iraq’s position on the Syria transition is split between two camps: the official government, and that of the powerful non-state actors.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Jun 4, 2025

What Lebanon’s municipal election results mean for Hezbollah

By David Daoud

Municipal election results did not demonstrate the militant group’s dominance over Lebanon’s Shiites, but Hezbollah nevertheless retains popularity.

Elections Lebanon

MENASource

Jun 3, 2025

India-Gulf relations are muted—but mobilizing

By Jonathan Fulton

The depth of Indian-Gulf relations creates a strong foundation for increased India-Middle East integration over the coming decades.

India Middle East
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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

Report

Dec 22, 2023

How to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable in European courts

By Gissou Nia, Celeste Kmiotek, Lisandra Novo, Alyssa T. Yamamoto

While there are no viable domestic routes toward accountability within Iran, national judicial systems in other states present an alternative path to justice. This report examines prospects for initiating prosecutions against IRI perpetrators in European jurisdictions.

Human Rights International Norms

The Big Story

Dec 21, 2023

Distortion by design: How social media platforms shaped our initial understanding of the Israel-Hamas conflict

By Emerson T. Brooking, Layla Mashkoor, Jacqueline Malaret

Almost as soon as the Israel-Hamas war began, it collided with the engineering and policy decisions of social media companies. On Telegram, terrorist content spread mostly uncontested; on X, false claims proliferated. Accusations of anti-Palestinian bias at Meta and pro-Palestinian bias at TikTok added to the confusion. Can the platforms thread this needle?

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Dec 21, 2023

Dean quoted in Australian Financial Review on Australia’s Red Sea call

On December 20, IPSI nonresident senior fellow Peter Dean was quoted in the Australian Financial Review on Australia’s decision not to send warships into the Red Sea. 

Australia Indo-Pacific

MENASource

Dec 21, 2023

Need a book on the Middle East to read during the holidays? Here’s our recommendations

By William F. Wechsler, Nadereh Chamlou, Mark N. Katz, Marcy Grossman, Nour Dabboussi, Sarah Zaaimi, Masoud Mostajabi

Our team of experts and staff have you covered with their recommended reads related to the Middle East and North Africa for the holidays.

Civil Society Middle East

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2023

Opposition to Israel’s war for survival fails to understand Hamas’s goals

By Jonathan Panikoff

Calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, beyond humanitarian pauses, are implicitly advocating for a Hamas victory.

Conflict Israel

China-MENA Podcast

Dec 21, 2023

Performative or Substantive Engagement? China & Russia in the Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Li-Chen Sim and Mark Katz join us to explore the growing collaboration between China and Russia and its impact on the Middle East, including the amplification of influence through media collaboration as a force multiplier.

China East Asia

In the News

Dec 20, 2023

Tran cited by Investopedia on Red Sea attacks disrupting global trade

Read the full article here.

International Markets Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2023

A Swedish court just upheld the conviction of a former Iranian official. It’s a warning to all perpetrators of atrocity crimes.

By Mark Klamberg

The court upheld in all major regards the conviction of Hamid Noury for mass executions of political prisoners in Iran in 1988.

Human Rights Iran

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2023

What’s behind the attacks on ships in the Red Sea

By Ellen Wald

Houthis have increased drone and missile attacks against commercial ships in the area, and companies are suspending routes through the Suez Canal.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Global China

Dec 20, 2023

Global China Newsletter: Staying on track? Girding for a challenging year in US-China relations

By Dexter Tiff Roberts

The December 2023 edition of the Global China newsletter.

China Economy & Business
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Experts

Staff

Melanie Robbins 

Deputy Director, Realign for Palestine

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Expert bio

Brett McGurk

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Middle East

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Fellow

Owen J. Daniels

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict
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Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

2025 Global Energy Forum

The ninth Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will be held June 17 and 18 in Washington, DC.
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