Stay Updated

The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Dec 9, 2025

Is India losing clout in the Gulf?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Until recently, Indian officials were careful not to pressure their Gulf partners on policies that ran counter to Delhi’s interests.

India
Middle East

MENASource

Dec 9, 2025

Western policy must include Iran’s neglected peripheries

By Rob Macaire

Now is the time for Western and regional policymakers to form a clear-eyed view of how they should engage with Iran’s minorities.

Iran
Middle East

MENASource

Dec 8, 2025

States shouldn’t waste the chance to establish a Syria Victims Fund

By Kate Springs, Celeste Kmiotek

A centralized fund would better support victims of international law violations in Syria, who face unique challenges.

Democratic Transitions
International Norms
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.

Learn more

Content

Testimony

Jul 24, 2025

Daniel B. Shapiro testifies before the Senate Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism

By Daniel B. Shapiro

Daniel B. Shapiro testifies before the US Senate Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism on US diplomatic strategies for a dynamic Middle East.

Conflict
Defense Policy

MENASource

Jul 24, 2025

In a sectarian Syria, the winners should refrain from taking all

By Marie Forestier 

To avoid the complete supremacy of HTS-supporting Sunnis, it is crucial to adopt power-sharing mechanisms ensuring inclusiveness

Democratic Transitions
International Norms

MENASource

Jul 24, 2025

An open wound, a fading light: Marking eleven years since the Yezidi genocide

By Pari Ibrahim and Murad Ismael

One consequence of the Middle East's shifting landscape has been an erosion of international attention on Yezidi issues.

Human Rights
International Norms

MENASource

Jul 23, 2025

Iran, China, Russia, and the collapse of deterrence in the Red Sea

By Fatima Abo Alasrar

Multiple powers now patrol with different mandates, different rules, and increasingly different interpretations of acceptable behavior.

China
Iran

In the News

Jul 23, 2025

Rich Outzen was interviewed for a story on Syria in The New Arab
Conflict
Middle East

MENASource

Jul 22, 2025

Why the violence in my hometown, Swaida, goes beyond ‘rivalry.’

By Majd AlGhatrif

US officials described the events as “a rivalry” between Syria's Druze and Bedouins. But this framing strips the crisis of its historical and political context.

Civil Society
Conflict

In the News

Jul 18, 2025

Charai in National Interest: Why the Muslim Brotherhood Should Be Designated as a Terrorist Organization

By Atlantic Council

Middle East
Security & Defense

Econographics

Jul 17, 2025

Charting a strategic path for Syria’s postwar reconstruction

By Kimberly Donovan, Jonathan Panikoff, Lize de Kruijf, Manal Fatima

As Syria emerges from over a decade of conflict, easing sanctions by the United States, the European Union (EU), and other European partners is an important step toward reintegrating Syria into the global economy. Yet, for a country that has been economically isolated for over fourteen years, lifting sanctions is only the beginning.

Economic Sanctions
Economy & Business

MENASource

Jul 17, 2025

Facing scarcity, the Gulf’s ‘smart water’ future lies in desalination

By Hany Ghanem

Desalination-enhanced regenerative data centers can help tackle the challenges of limited water resources and the post-oil economic shift.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

MENASource

Jul 17, 2025

Five years on, the Abraham Accords need a multilateral mission

By Joseph Epstein

As the Trump administration pushes for “commerce, not chaos” in the region, the Abraham Accords ideology is the most powerful tool to achieve that goal.

Israel
Middle East
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Rich Outzen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Arabic Central Asia

Staff

Alp Ozen

Program Assistant

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

English International Organizations

Fellow

Eser Özdil

Nonresident Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Ömer Özkizilcik

Nonresident Fellow, Syria Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Economy & Business Financial Regulation
Load More

Events

Online Event Wed, December 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

European and US approaches to MENA: Convergences and divergences
Europe & Eurasia Middle East