Middle East

The MENA region’s uneasy path towards reforms

By Karim Mezran, Valeria Talbot, Alissa Pavia, Lorenzo Fruganti, Eleonora Ardemagni, Andrew Farrand, Alessia Melcangi and Hafsa Halawa

Decade-old geopolitical transformations have impacted the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) states’ efforts to implement socioeconomic reforms. More recently, the Ukraine war’s reverberations are also likely to affect the MENA countries’ paths towards such reforms.

Middle East North Africa

Report

Tunisia: The populist drift of Saied and the looming socioeconomic crisis

By Alessia Melcangi

Even before the conflict in Ukraine, the liberal state model looked much less attractive for the broader Middle East region than it had only a decade earlier, at the height of the Arab Spring.

Middle East North Africa

Report

Boom and bust: Can Algeria break the cycles of its past?

By Andrew G. Farrand

In dire straits just a year ago, Algeria’s leaders show a new swagger today that might suggest the country has turned a corner.

Middle East North Africa

Report

The GCC in the global power cycle: The reform-security nexus

By Eleonora Ardemagni

On reforms and good governance, the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have little to worry about in the current global power cycle, which is shaping an order definitely less Western-centred, and more Eastern-oriented, if compared with the 2010s. National economic goals, rather than foreign policy alliances, traditionally drive top-down reforms in GCC states, including those with an impact on social and individual freedoms.

Middle East North Africa

Experts react

Experts react: How the OPEC+ oil-production cuts will shake up geopolitics and energy security

By Atlantic Council experts

We went to our experts to get their takes on what to watch next from the United States and beyond after oil-producing nations vowed to slash production.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Derentz quoted in Wall Street Journal on OPEC+ oil cut

Energy & Environment Middle East

New Atlanticist

Inside the Saudi calculus on oil cuts—and the US response

By Jonathan Panikoff

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's transactional approach carries risks when it comes to US strategic posture in the region.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

In the News

Sakhi in IPRA Peace Search: What the historic women’s uprising in Iran teaches us about resisting authoritarianism

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

The institutional roots of Iran’s protests

By Javad Heiran-Nia

The Islamic Republic has alienated many Iranians and, without a thriving civil society, is contributing to the rising rhythm of protests within Iran.

Civil Society Iran

In the News

Derentz quoted in The Wall Street Journal on OPEC+’s move to reduce oil production

Americas Energy & Environment

Experts

Fellow

Peter Mandaville

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

Fellow

Tom Mancinelli

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Andrea Rigoni

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Staff

Allison Minor

Director, N7 Research Institute

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Elizabeth Shortino