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MENASource

Apr 30, 2025

From Tripoli to Tehran: Lessons from Libya in US-Iran nuclear talks

By Yaseen Rashed

Twenty-one years later, the nuclear disarmament of Libya serves as a model for the United States in current nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Iran Libya

MENASource

Apr 29, 2025

Why the US must not let Syria slip away

By Luke Wagner

Reconsidering the uneasy US-Syria relationship amid reports that Trump and al-Sharaa will meet during the US president’s Saudi Arabia visit.

Economic Sanctions Middle East
Scenes of destruction at the UN Blue Line, Southern Lebanon.

MENASource

Apr 29, 2025

Dispatch from the UN Blue Line: Israel’s ‘systematic destruction’ in Lebanon

By Nicholas Blanford

If Hezbollah refuses to disarm, Israel would almost certainly escalate its attacks possibly to the extent of resuming the war in Lebanon.

Iran 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 the News

Apr 10, 2025

Daryl Press interviewed for ABC News article on B-2 nuclear-capable bombers

By Atlantic Council

On April 3, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Daryl G. Press was interviewed for an ABC News article entitled, “Satellite images show multiple US B-2 nuclear-capable bombers deployed to Indian Ocean.” In the article, Press was quoted as saying, “The movement of the aircraft to Diego Garcia definitely sends a signal to Iran about the extent […]

Defense Policy Iran

MENASource

Apr 10, 2025

No, Iran didn’t abandon the Houthis. It just wants Trump to think so. 

By Fatima Abo Alasrar

Instead of interpreting Iran's narrative shift as a break from the Houthis, we might see it as tactical storytelling. And the story's working.

Defense Policy Iran

MENASource

Apr 9, 2025

Why it’s time to terminate the UN’s dysfunctional mission in Western Sahara

By Sarah Zaaimi

Only way out of fifty-year colonial impasse may be outside the United Nations and its legacy of failure for the Sahraoui people.

International Norms International Organizations

MENASource

Apr 8, 2025

Legalizing child marriage in Iraq: Stepping back from the brink

By Sareta Ashraph

While there have been some elements of relief that the Iraq parliament has pulled back from legalizing child marriage, the situation remains dynamic.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Apr 7, 2025

Can Donald Trump “completely annihilate” the Houthis in Yemen?

By Emily Milliken

The Trump administration’s Houthi strategy will require a more nuanced approach that deepens these non-military components.

Defense Policy Middle East

TURKEYSource

Apr 4, 2025

How women leaders envision Turkey navigating today’s complicated geopolitical environment

By Zeynep Egeli

Women thought leaders, diplomats, and heads of businesses in Turkey discuss global developments, seek effective solutions to current challenges.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

MENASource

Apr 3, 2025

Experts React: No MENA ally or adversary unscathed by Trump tariffs

By Atlantic Council experts

A “Liberation Day” for the White House, an upset for global markets. President Donald Trump on Wednesday made good on a campaign promise, slapping tariffs spanning between 10 percent and 50 percent on countries across the globe. Almost no ally or adversary has been left unscathed in the sweeping move, and the Middle East and […]

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Apr 3, 2025

In the thorny world of intra-Afghan talks, new challenges and opportunities emerge

By Omar Samad

Even with Taliban rule, Afghan dialogues have seen a boom in recent months. Their focus are as expansive as the diverse range of perspectives participating in them.

Afghanistan Middle East

MENASource

Apr 3, 2025

Washington halted the Iraq-Iran electricity waiver. Here is how it’s perceived by Washington and Baghdad. 

By Ahmed Tabaqchali, C. Anthony Pfaff

By making Iranian energy more costly, the United States hopes to incentivize Iraq to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependency on Iran.

Energy Markets & Governance Iraq

New Atlanticist

Apr 2, 2025

Trump should not forget the Russian hand behind the Houthis

By Katherine Spencer

While negotiating with Russia, the United States must bear in mind the Kremlin’s support for the Houthis’ attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Conflict Crisis Management
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Experts

Staff

Ellie Sennett 

Editor

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Rabah Arezki

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Peter Mandaville

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

Fellow

Andrea Rigoni

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Fellow

Elizabeth Shortino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Bachir Ismael Ouedraogo

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Energy & Environment
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