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MENASource

Nov 25, 2025

Mali is at a turning point that risks a ‘disastrous domino effect’

By Haleigh Bartos and John Chin

A JNIM seizure of power, though less likely, is possible—and threatens to turn Mali into Africa’s Afghanistan.

Africa
North & West Africa

MENASource

Nov 21, 2025

Syria joining the anti-ISIS coalition is a westward pivot—with opportunities and risks

By Merissa Khurma and Giorgio Cafiero

The decision is a shift in the country’s alignment—from Russian and Iranian spheres of influence to one in NATO and GCC regional orbits.

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

MENASource

Nov 20, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s next horizon: Building human capital beyond Vision 2030

By Khalid Azim

Riyadh still needs to take fully support small and medium-sized enterprises—the true engines of job creation.

Economy & Business
Middle East
READ More from MENASOURCE

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

Nov 13, 2025

Moses parts the Red Sea: Israel’s strategic challenges as new routes emerge

By Amit Yarom

A new $4 billion bridge across the Strait of Tiran could upend plans to physically integrate Israel into the Middle East.

Economy & Business
Israel

In the News

Nov 12, 2025

Charai for The Jerusalem Post: Jared Kushner Can Finish What He Began: The Only Path to End Hamas and Save Gaza

By Atlantic Council

Israel
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 11, 2025

Two views on the Syrian president’s visit to the White House—and what’s next 

By Arwa Damon, Ömer Özkizilcik

US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office on November 10, less than a year since the Assad regime collapsed.

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Nov 10, 2025

A little-discussed point in Trump’s Gaza plan could be an opportunity to build interfaith understanding

By Peter Mandaville

Peace efforts don’t need more gleaming Abrahamic baubles, they need a genuine commitment to supporting grassroots religious peacebuilding.

Civil Society
Freedom and Prosperity

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.

Elections
Iraq

Dispatches

Nov 10, 2025

Dispatch from Baghdad: Don’t confuse the calm around Iraq’s election with stability

By Yerevan Saeed

Iraqi society faces several slow-burning stressors, from water and climate problems to over-centralization and narcotics trafficking.

Democratic Transitions
Elections

MENASource

Nov 10, 2025

The Nile at a crossroads: Navigating the GERD dispute as Egypt’s floodwaters rise

By Alessia Melcangi

The latest escalation between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia coincides with a diplomatic shift from the United States.

Africa
Climate Change & Climate Action

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Nov 9, 2025

Tracking Iraq’s 2025 elections and coalition building

By Victoria J. Taylor, Nibras Basitkey, and Daniah Jarrah

Keep up with what our experts want you to know about the Iraqi elections and the coalition building that follows.

Elections
Iraq

MENASource

Nov 7, 2025

Kazakhstan joins the Abraham Accords—and redefines the geography of peace

By Joseph Epstein

While some have dismissed an expansion to Central Asia as “largely symbolic” this interpretation overlooks deeper implications.

Central Europe
Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2025

With Hezbollah rearming, Israel must heed the lessons of October 7

By Jonathan Rosenstein

Only by combining military strength, diplomatic coordination, and strategic foresight can Israel keep the terrorist group in check.

Israel
Lebanon
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Experts

Fellow

Dan Rothem

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Hebrew

Fellow

Alina L. Romanowski

Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Olivia Azadegan

Senior Energy Manager, Global Methane Hub

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

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Rabah Arezki

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Samantha Sutton

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Israel

Fellow

Dan Minnocci

Senior US Air Force Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Europe & Eurasia Middle East
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