Middle East

Middle East

Stretching from the Western Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East continues to be a region struggling with violent conflict, political repression, and poor development. Numerous pro-democracy protest movements, a burgeoning youth population, and efforts to reform governments and lessen economic dependence on oil, however, are causes for optimism. The United States and the international community must remain engaged with the region to provide support for these positive moves and to address the many remaining challenges.

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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Jun 23, 2026

The Middle East’s greatest killer is not what you think

By Daniel E. Zoughbie

Cardiovascular disease and similar ailments spread like communicable diseases. They need to be treated accordingly.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Jun 11, 2026

The Iran war is a game of liar’s poker

By Khalid Azim

The central question has not simply been who possesses power, but who is willing to absorb pain, tolerate risk, and continue escalating when conventional logic suggests restraint.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jun 4, 2026

تفتت الفصائل المسلحة العراقية بعد تحول النظام الإيراني من الثيوقراطية الى الجنتوقراطية

By Munqith Dagher

كيف يؤثر تغيير القيادة في ايران على الميليشيات العراقية؟ د. منقذ داغر يبدو اننا بتنا ، بعد 28 فبراير 2026 ،امام نظام مختلف وظيفياً، بل وحتى هيكلياً عما عرفناه طوال السنوات السبعة وأربعين من عمر النظام الايراني. فقد اتسم نظام الحكم في ايران بنسخته الخمينية الأولى 1979-1989  بأحادية قطبية لا مكان فيها سوى للمرشد الأعلى(الخميني). […]

Arabic Conflict
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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

Feb 3, 2023

<strong>The Islamic Republic is on the path to committing a mass atrocity. The world should pay attention.</strong>

By Anthony Vance

The persistent and systematic nature of the Baha’i experience strongly suggests that it would be worthwhile to freshly examination the community’s vulnerability in the current context to determine whether this already beleaguered community is at increased risk of larger-scale abuses.

Human Rights Iran
Radar imagery, captured between January 25 and January 30, 2023, shows air defense system interference patterns. Source: DFRLab via Sentinel-1 on 5Ghz Interference Locator via Google Earth Engine)

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2023

Russian War Report: Satellite imagery indicates a build-up of air defense missile systems in southern Russia

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Satellite imagery suggests the build-up of air defense missile systems in southern Russia while Ukraine warns of a potential spring Russian offensive.

Conflict Coronavirus

MENASource

Feb 2, 2023

<strong>Egypt just seized part of Libya’s maritime zone. What’s the story behind the Egyptian decree no one is talking about?</strong>

By Ali Bakir

On December 13, 2022, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi issued a presidential decree demarcating the country's maritime borders with Libya.

Libya Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2023

What to make of the strikes in Iran? Watch these three indicators.

By Jonathan Panikoff

As more details about the attack emerge, the biggest unknown is how Iran views the impact of this incident and how it will respond.

Defense Technologies Drones

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2023

<strong>What did Blinken accomplish in Israel? More stealth progress on Israeli-Arab normalization.</strong>

By Daniel B. Shapiro

During his visit, the US secretary of state pressed the need and opportunity for expanding and deepening the process of regional integration represented by the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum.

Crisis Management Israel

Issue Brief

Feb 1, 2023

Netanyahu’s coalition isn’t built to last: Expect high sparks within and fragile prospects for Israel’s incoming government

By Shalom Lipner

Competing agendas between the members of Israel's incoming government portend another unsustainable partnership.

Elections Israel

MENASource

Feb 1, 2023

<strong>Libya’s political impasse and the $6 billion question</strong>

By Alia Brahimi

On January 5, after months of talks brokered in Egypt, Libya’s rival legislative bodies finally agreed to begin discussions to develop the constitutional basis for elections.

Libya Middle East

In the News

Feb 1, 2023

Lipner interviewed by Formiche on Netanyahu’s dilemma between the US and the government.

By Atlantic Council

Israel Italian

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2023

Escalating violence and right-wing provocations are threatening Netanyahu’s Abraham Accords agenda

By Alissa Pavia

If Israel's prime minister wants to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations, he will have to find a way to end the bloodshed—and keep a lid on his far-right ministers.

Extremism Israel

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
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Sharif Abdelrazeq

Sustainability and Innovation Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

Fellow

Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Former Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business
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