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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Jun 17, 2025

Why Hezbollah is unlikely to engage in the Israel-Iran war—for now

By David Daoud

As wave after wave of Israeli jets continue to strike Iran, Tehran’s proxy on Israel’s northern border remains quiet.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Jun 16, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) on the Israel-Iran war

By Atlantic Council experts

The escalation between Israel and Iran has raised many important questions about a region already facing crises on multiple fronts.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jun 13, 2025

China’s basing quest in the Gulf: Pipe dream or strategic reality?

By Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco

While the Gulf remains central to China’s long-term maritime aspirations, its near-term military footprint is likely to stay limited.

China Maritime Security
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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

Sep 22, 2021

Iran ‘won’ the war with Iraq but at a heavy price

By Barbara Slavin, Abbas Kadhim

More than four decades after the beginning of a dreadful war that shaped the lives and worldview of a generation, Iraq and Iran seem to have put the past behind them and moved to a new relationship. But the road ahead is not without landmines. The balance of power is too lopsided in Iran’s favor to allow for a healthy alliance and Iran’s continued estrangement from the US makes Baghdad’s balancing act even trickier. The Iranians may be enjoying their triumphant short-term position, but the long-term consequences could be calamitous.

Iran Iraq

MENASource

Sep 22, 2021

Mourned by some, cursed by others, former President Bouteflika left Algeria ill-prepared for the future

By Andrew G. Farrand

Abdelaziz Bouteflika's death is unlikely to substantially shift the country's trajectory, in large part because of just how rigid a system he and his generation of independence heroes already imposed upon Algeria during their lifetimes.

Middle East North Africa

In the News

Sep 21, 2021

Sales quoted in The Washington Post on the need for human intelligence for successful counterterrorism strikes

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Defense Industry

IranSource

Sep 21, 2021

Iranian children are being punished based on their parents’ religion and beliefs

By Hamed Farmand

In practice, Iran’s discriminatory law affects almost all aspects of minority children’s lives, such as safety and well-being and access to health and education.

Human Rights Iran

In the News

Sep 20, 2021

Sales quoted in The Washington Examiner on how over-the-horizon counterterrorism doesn’t work

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Defense Policy

MENASource

Sep 20, 2021

‘Investing in women is just good business’: Ways to increase funding for women-led ventures in the Middle East

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

On September 14, 2021 the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop on “Venture Capital Financing: How to Increase Funding for Women-led Ventures."

Middle East The Gulf

In the News

Sep 19, 2021

Wechsler quoted in The Hill on the national security shift to preventing Afghanistan from becoming a terror hub

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Defense Policy

In the News

Sep 19, 2021

Fulton quoted in Financial Times on Gulf powers’ ties to Beijing

By Atlantic Council

China Economy & Business

In the News

Sep 18, 2021

Katz in The National Interest: Afghanistan’s Fall: Were We Using the Wrong Historical Analogies?

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Press Release

Sep 17, 2021

Mary McCord, Former Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Joins the Atlantic Council as Nonresident Senior Fellow

By Atlantic Council

McCord will contribute extensive senior government experience to the Council’s leading work on counterterrorism, national security, the rule of law, and litigation

Defense Policy Extremism
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Experts

Fellow

Newton Howard

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Artificial Intelligence English

Fellow

Len Khodorkovsky

Nonresident senior fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Thomas Storch

Distinguished fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance

Staff

Melanie Robbins 

Deputy Director, Realign for Palestine

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Brett McGurk

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Middle East

Fellow

Alan Pino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Intelligence Iran
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Events

Online Event Wed, June 18, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The diplomats’ roundtable: Iran and Israel at war
Iran Israel Security & Defense