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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

May 28, 2025

Sectarianism, social media, and Syria’s information blackhole

By Gregory Waters and Kayla Koontz

Since Assad’s December ousting, Syrians have struggled to sift the truth from fake claims about security incidents across the country.

Civil Society Middle East

MENASource

May 28, 2025

Mickey goes to the Gulf: The UAE’s wish upon a soft power star

By Amit Yarom

In a region often defined by hard power rivalries, Abu Dhabi has chosen to compete through visibility, credibility and imagination.

Media Middle East

MENASource

May 27, 2025

Jordan-Israel security cooperation continues quietly but unabated 

By Emily Milliken

Despite diplomatic setbacks from the Israel-Gaza war, military and intelligence cooperation continues to thrive between the two neighbors.

Israel 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

MENASource

May 22, 2025

Lebanon’s 1982 war reverberates in Israel’s Syria campaign

By Sinan Hatahet

Israel's ongoing intervention in Syria appears different from its 1982 invasion of Lebanon—but beneath the surface, parallels are striking.

Israel Lebanon

New Atlanticist

May 21, 2025

Golden Dome creates a new missile defense bargain with US partners

By Léonie Allard, Jean-Loup Samaan

As it works toward realizing its Golden Dome initiative, the Trump administration should hold a revived missile defense dialogue with its allies and partners in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Europe & Eurasia Indo-Pacific

MENASource

May 21, 2025

Iran’s shadow looms large over the Houthi ceasefire

By Fatima Abo Alasrar and Behnam Ben Taleblu

The Houthis may have suspended their attacks on US vessels, but it’s too soon for another “mission accomplished” in the Middle East.

Iran Maritime Security

MENASource

May 19, 2025

Could Trump be ‘mediator-in-chief’ for Turkey and Israel in Syria?

By Rachel Bradenburg

If Trump wants to achieve the Middle East's “deal of a century," its important that Netanyahu and Erdogan resolve their differences in Syria.

Israel Middle East

In the News

May 16, 2025

Mühleisen quoted by Reuters on the IMF and World Bank’s potential role in Syria’s reconstruction

Read the full article here

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

MENASource

May 16, 2025

The killing of Abdul Ghani al-Kikli may be a turning point for Libya

By Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

The killing is considered to be part of a push to eliminate influential militia leaders and consolidate GNU loyalist control over Tripoli.

Libya Middle East

In the News

May 16, 2025

Charai in The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: The Middle East at a Crossroads

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Inflection Points

May 15, 2025

Trump can cement his Middle East successes by calling Putin’s bluff

By Frederick Kempe

After lifting Syria sanctions and semiconductor restrictions, Trump has a historic opportunity when it comes to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Artificial Intelligence Conflict

MENASource

May 15, 2025

Feeding the ‘water mafia’: Sanctions relief and Iran’s water crisis

By Nik Kowsar

Trump comments mark the first time a US president acknowledges a "water mafia": a connected network responsible for ecological catastrophes.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

MENASource

May 14, 2025

Choppy waters: Egypt’s waning patience with President Trump

By Shahira Amin

The US president's Suez Canal demands signal "a shift in US-Egyptian relations" which experts describe as "at their lowest ebb in decades."

Middle East North Africa
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Experts

Fellow

Thomas Storch

Distinguished fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance

Fellow

Len Khodorkovsky

Nonresident senior fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Staff

Melanie Robbins 

Deputy Director, Realign for Palestine

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran

Expert bio

Brett McGurk

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Middle East

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Israel
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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.
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment