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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Oct 24, 2025

‘Snapback’ sanctions are deepening the Iran-Russia alignment

By Giorgio Cafiero

United by a desire to counter US influence, Iran and Russia are poised to deepen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Economic Sanctions Iran

MENASource

Oct 23, 2025

Why Washington’s anti-PMF moves are testing the Iraq partnership

By Mohammed A. Salih

The US campaign against the PMF groups will likely have significant implications for Iraq’s political process moving forward.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Oct 21, 2025

The Indonesia-Israel visit that didn’t happen—and why it still matters

By Amit Yarom

Careful engagement between Israel and Indonesia could blossom. But both must navigate a narrow path between opportunity and overreach.

Indo-Pacific Israel
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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-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

The Arab World and the Ukraine conflict: The quest for nonalignment

By Maha Yahya

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine serves as a reminder that employing military means to alter political realities is not a thing of the past. For countries in the MENA region, this truth is something with which they have lived for decades. Their response to the war in Ukraine has generally been to remain neutral and nonaligned.

Crisis Management Human Rights

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

Risk or opportunity? How Russia sees a changing MENA region

By Mark N. Katz

Putin has assiduously courted all the United States’ traditional allies in the MENA region. However, if the war in Ukraine continues to go badly for Moscow, it is possible that Russian influence in the region will decline even if that of the West does not increase.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

The rise of complex ‘intermediate zones’: the Ukraine War and China’s opportunity and dilemma in the Middle East

By She Gangzheng

Middle Eastern leaders are closely watching the United States’ strategic rivalry with China and Russia, worrying the region would remain vulnerable to the spillover effects of extra-regional great-power politics.

China Economy & Business

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

Shifting priorities: The US and the Middle East in a multipolar world

By Jonathan Panikoff

Middle Eastern leaders view the bipartisan progression of US disengagement across the region as an abandonment of its allies and security commitments. However, in Washington’s view, deprioritizing the Middle East is not the same as declining to prioritize it.

Democratic Transitions Middle East

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 12, 2022

A pivot point for Europe’s role in the Middle East

By Julien Barnes-Dacey

Amid an increasingly competitive and multipolar regional order—one in which longstanding European reliance on the United States can no longer be counted on—the bloc needs to grapple with how it can become a more relevant actor to help cement positive openings and forestall new dangers

Crisis Management Europe & Eurasia

Uncategorized

Jul 11, 2022

Shapiro quoted in The National on Biden’s trip to Israel and what that means for Palestinians

By Atlantic Council

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jul 11, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Washington Examiner on Biden’s Middle East trip

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 10, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Jerusalem Post on the I2U2 summit

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

Insights & Impact

Jul 10, 2022

Lipner in Jerusalem Post: Does Biden have moves like Jagger?

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 8, 2022

Slavin quoted in Stripes on Biden’s potential discussion about a future air defense alliance during his Middle East trip

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Robert Fardi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Israel

Fellow

Mark Mowrey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Omer Niazi

President and Founder, Council on International Law Order and Security (CILOS)

Middle East Rule of Law

Staff

Ellie Sennett 

Editor

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Dan Rothem

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Hebrew
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Events

Online Event Thu, October 30, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

What to expect in Iraq’s 2025 elections
Elections Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy