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The latest pieces from MENASource:

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

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2025

Experts react: Trump just announced the removal of all US sanctions on Syria. What’s next? 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts provide their insights on how the removal of US sanctions on Syria would affect the country and the wider region.

Civil Society Economic Sanctions
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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

In the News

Jan 30, 2023

Charai in The Hill: The horrifying shift to lone gunman terrorism in Israel

By Ahmed Charai

Last week on the day of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as the memory of those lost in the Holocaust was commemorated around the world, a lone gunman shot eight Israelis from his car window. The innocent victims were killed walking peacefully toward their neighborhood synagogue in Jerusalem. Israel plunged into mourning while fresh attacks drew […]

Americas Conflict

MENASource

Jan 30, 2023

Ben-Gvir’s controversial new position angered the Arab world. But how will it impact a potential peace deal with Saudi Arabia?

By Ksenia Svetlova

Will PM Benjamin Netanyahu find the desired equilibrium between the radical politics of his coalition partner and diplomacy with Arab capitals?

Israel Middle East

New Atlanticist

Jan 30, 2023

Experts react: What’s behind the drone strike on an Iranian military facility?

By Atlantic Council experts

We turned to our experts on Iran, Israel, and the region to help explain the dynamics at play—and what’s coming next.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Jan 27, 2023

What will it take to deter Iran from targeting opponents inside the US?

By Atlantic Council experts

The US Department of Justice unsealed charges Friday in an alleged assassination plot directed by Iran against a US journalist. Our experts unpack the ongoing threat.

Human Rights Iran

MENASource

Jan 26, 2023

People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.

By Richard LeBaron

This piece identifies some of the issues involved in creating a strong framework for a vital “Abraham Exchanges” program and proposes a few ideas on how to get it off the ground.

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jan 25, 2023

CBDC Tracker cited by CoinTelegraph on Saudi Arabia’s CBDC research

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies Economy & Business

China-MENA Podcast

Jan 24, 2023

China’s Vision for a New World Order

By Atlantic Council

Nadege Rolland joins us to discuss China's support and dissatisfaction with the existing global order and whether the country will continue to support or try to change it via Chinese-led initiatives.

China East Asia

UkraineAlert

Jan 24, 2023

Putin is facing defeat in the information war

By Peter Dickinson

Russia's entire invasion of Ukraine has been built on a web of deceit but Putin is now facing defeat in the information war as the gap between the Kremlin's alternative reality and the real world becomes too big to bridge.

Conflict Disinformation

IranSource

Jan 24, 2023

Can Reza Pahlavi help unite the Iranian opposition? A hashtag is suggesting so.

By Arash Azizi

An Iranian journalist started the hashtag #You_Represent_Me, which was quickly picked up by thousands of other Iranians, inside and outside the country, who used it to declare their support for Reza Pahlavi.

Democratic Transitions Iran

MENASource

Jan 24, 2023

Rising inflation is hurting Egypt’s economy. Will the country’s powerful military cede economic power to salvage it?

By Shahira Amin

The prices of food and other basic commodities including housing and medical services have soared over the past few months as the country faces rising inflation.

Economy & Business Middle East
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Experts

Staff

Amy Cowley

Program Assistant, Forward Defense

Forward Defense

Conflict North & West Africa

Fellow

Khosro Sayeh Isfahani

Former Researcher

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arms Control Civil Society

Fellow

Jaime Stansbury

Nonresident fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Gabriele Natalizia

Visiting Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia Italian

Fellow

Linda Lourie

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Artificial Intelligence Australia

Fellow

Yousuf Syed Khan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Online Event Tue, May 20, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

Saudi Arabia in 2025: Vision 2030 progress update and US-Saudi relations
Economy & Business Energy & Environment Future of Work Inclusive Growth
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