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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Jun 17, 2025

Why Hezbollah is unlikely to engage in the Israel-Iran war—for now

By David Daoud

As wave after wave of Israeli jets continue to strike Iran, Tehran’s proxy on Israel’s northern border remains quiet.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Jun 16, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) on the Israel-Iran war

By Atlantic Council experts

The escalation between Israel and Iran has raised many important questions about a region already facing crises on multiple fronts.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jun 13, 2025

China’s basing quest in the Gulf: Pipe dream or strategic reality?

By Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco

While the Gulf remains central to China’s long-term maritime aspirations, its near-term military footprint is likely to stay limited.

China Maritime Security
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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

IranSource

Jul 11, 2023

Why Khamenei’s son is not the next radical modernizer in the Middle East

By Saeid Golkar and Kasra Aarabi

A cohort of regime elites are hoping that Mojtaba Khamenei will transform the Islamic Republic from above.

Iran Middle East

Press Release

Jul 11, 2023

N7 partners discuss in Bahrain establishing a regional free trade agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors

MANAMA, BAHRAIN – JULY 11, 2023 – The N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, has concluded the N7 Conference on Trade, which was held on July 10-11, 2023, in Manama, Bahrain, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The N7 Initiative […]

Middle East

Press Release

Jul 10, 2023

N7 partners convene in Bahrain on free trade between Israel and its Arab neighbors

MANAMA, BAHRAIN – JULY 10, 2023 – The N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, is hosting the N7 Conference on Trade on July 10-11, 2023, in Manama, Bahrain, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The N7 Initiative seeks to broaden […]

Middle East

Event Recap

Jul 7, 2023

The mechanisms of corruption in Iran

By Masoud Mostajabi and Britt Gronemeyer

On June 13, the Atlantic Council’s Iran Strategy Project hosted a virtual event, “The Mechanisms of Corruption in Iran” to discuss the nature of corruption and sanctions in Iran as well as the social, economic, and political implications of these issues. The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative Director, Jonathan Panikoff conducted opening remarks, […]

Corruption Economic Sanctions

IranSource

Jul 7, 2023

Iran and Afghanistan are feuding over the Helmand River. The water wars have no end in sight.

By Holly Dagres

Fatemeh Aman, a non-resident senior fellow at MEI, on why the Islamic Republic and Taliban are bumping heads on transboundary water issues.

Afghanistan Climate Change & Climate Action

Podcast

Jul 7, 2023

Mercenary bloodline: The war in Sudan

By Alia Brahimi

Host and Nonresident Senior Fellow Alia Brahimi speaks with Africa experts Cameron Hudson and Munzoul Assal about the mercenary pedigree of the Rapid Support Forces.

Africa Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jul 6, 2023

Ukraine needs NATO membership, not an ‘Israel model’

By Ian Brzezinski

Granting NATO membership to Ukraine is critical to ensuring it wins the war against Russia quickly and decisively.

Israel NATO

IranSource

Jul 6, 2023

Hezbollah and Iran have opened a fourth battlefront: Inside Israel

By David Daoud

Critical as recent developments may prove, they obscure a more dangerous Hezbollah initiative to establish a proxy foothold inside Israel.

Iran Israel

In the News

Jul 6, 2023

Wald featured in Bloomberg Markets: The Close podcast on oil production cuts
Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 5, 2023

Rich Outzen joins Israeli TV i24 to discuss Syria-Russian exercises
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Richard Clarke

Distinguished Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Conflict

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

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

Fellow

Jennifer A. Counter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Technologies Intelligence
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Events

Online Event Wed, June 18, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Diplomats Roundtable — assessing the Israel-Iran escalation
Iran Israel Security & Defense