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MENASource

May 6, 2025

A blueprint for a trilateral Morocco-Israel-US investment fund

By Aïssa Christophe Agostini

Amid instability in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Sahel, a chance to deliver on the promise of the Abraham Accords.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

May 6, 2025

Beyond the bomb: Ideology as the engine of Iran’s nuclear doctrine

By Marjan Keypour Greenblatt

The US cannot overlook that Iran’s nuclear program is not simply about deterrence—it is a tool for advancing a revolutionary ideology.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

May 5, 2025

How China turned the Red Sea into a strategic trap for the US

By Fatima Abo Alasrar

Beijing’s proxy warfare turns global trade routes into battlefields that the United States struggles to defend.

China Economy & Business
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

MENASource

Jun 9, 2023

Assad is appointing new military officials to escape sanctions on Syria

By Muhsen AlMustafa

Of the thirty Syrian army and security officers in new leadership positions, only two are blacklisted. This indicates a significant gap.

Economic Sanctions Middle East

IranSource

Jun 7, 2023

Iran is playing musical chairs with leadership positions. None of these individuals have been sanctioned.

By Behnam Ben Taleblu

Playing musical chairs with leadership positions provides opportunities to recalibrate and update coercive economic measures on Iran.

Economic Sanctions Iran
Dr. Azzam Alwash (right) speaking at a private roundtable event, alongside Iraq Initiative Director and moderator Dr. Abbas Kadhim (left).

Events

Jun 7, 2023

Private roundtable on Iraq with Dr. Azzam Alwash

By Atlantic Council

On May 18, the Atlantic Council’s Iraq Initiative hosted Dr. Azzam Alwash, Founder and CEO of Nature Iraq, for a private hybrid roundtable discussion on Iraq’s environmental crisis and future efforts to address climate change. Iraq Initiative Director Dr. Abbas Kadhim moderated the conversation.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Jun 7, 2023

The US should pay close attention to Saudi Arabia’s domestic policy

By Jonathan Panikoff

Riyadh’s foreign priorities today are little more than a shadow of its plans at home. US officials should factor this reality into their plans to stabilize relations with the kingdom.

Politics & Diplomacy Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jun 6, 2023

The US has learned to work with governments that the president isn’t close to. Saudi Arabia is no different.

By David Mack

Given their different historical experiences, relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States will always be a work in progress.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Jun 6, 2023

How monarchies end

By Stephen Grand

Stephen R. Grand flips the analytical script on the spate of notable books covering “How Democracies Die.” Democracies can corrode and crumble, but so can autocracies. Why are there no books being published about how kings and queens, emperors and caliphs, cease to rule—either because their throne is transformed into a more ceremonial post or because they lose power entirely? For Arab monarchs, there are several apparent lessons to be learned.

Middle East Political Reform

In the News

Jun 5, 2023

Wald joins the Bloomberg Surveillance podcast to discuss Saudi Arabia’s pledge to cut a million barrels a day in July
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jun 3, 2023

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Cyprus’ energy conundrum
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

MENASource

Jun 2, 2023

In an endless series of Israeli operations, Operation Shield and Arrow in Gaza was yet another name on the list

By Ksenia Svetlova

The current Israeli government is just as unable as previous ones to produce a solution to stop PIJ and Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Jun 1, 2023

Is Egypt planning a full-scale invasion of Sudan? 

By Shahira Amin

With the evacuation of foreigners from Sudan nearly complete, expectations are that an Egyptian military invasion of Sudan is imminent.

East Africa Middle East
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Mohamed El Dahshan

Managing Director, OXCON Frontier Markets and Fragile States Consulting

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

Fellow

Arwa Damon

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society

Staff

Nina Dannaoui-Johnson

Deputy Director

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Human Rights

Staff

Landon Derentz

Senior Director

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Haydee Dijkstal

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Corruption

Staff

Kimberly Donovan

Director, Economic Statecraft Initiative

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Economic Sanctions
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