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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

May 16, 2025

The killing of Abdul Ghani al-Kikli may be a turning point for Libya

By Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

The killing is considered to be part of a push to eliminate influential militia leaders and consolidate GNU loyalist control over Tripoli.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

May 15, 2025

Feeding the ‘water mafia’: Sanctions relief and Iran’s water crisis

By Nik Kowsar

Trump comments mark the first time a US president acknowledges a “water mafia”: a connected network responsible for ecological catastrophes.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

MENASource

May 14, 2025

Choppy waters: Egypt’s waning patience with President Trump

By Shahira Amin

The US president’s Suez Canal demands signal “a shift in US-Egyptian relations” which experts describe as “at their lowest ebb in decades.”

Middle East North Africa
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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

MENASource

Feb 5, 2025

How the US can benefit from deepening Azerbaijani-Israeli ties

By Joseph Epstein

Washington should learn from Israel’s diplomatic and security collaboration with Azerbaijan to bolster its own ties with Baku.

Defense Policy Economy & Business

MENASource

Feb 3, 2025

If the MENA region wants to unlock its youth potential, it should look to sports

By Hezha Barzani

As a golden era of sports takes shape in the Middle East and North Africa, the region has a unique opportunity to seize on this positive momentum to set up the young generation for success through sports.

Economy & Business Middle East

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2025

The green gold rush: Why renewable energy is Egypt’s next big opportunity

By Jonathan R. Cohen, Racha Helwa

Egypt’s abundant solar irradiance, strong wind corridors, and significant potential for cost-effective green hydrogen production give the country a competitive edge.

Africa Economy & Business

MENASource

Feb 3, 2025

Waiting on a friend: Will Netanyahu get a sweet deal—or a raw deal—from Trump?

By Shalom Lipner

With Netanyahu visiting the White House on February 4, the world will be watching to see whether Trump offers him a deal that he can't refuse.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Feb 2, 2025

Israeli-Saudi normalization is within reach. Here’s what Trump and Netanyahu need to do next.

By Daniel B. Shapiro

A carefully sequenced series of steps, beginning but extending beyond the two leaders’ meeting this week, has the best likelihood of success.

Israel Middle East

In the News

Feb 1, 2025

Pınar Dost contributed to a piece for Amwaj.media, on why Saudi-Turkish collaboration in Syria is more likely than a clash.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 31, 2025

The foreign aid freeze poses risks to US interests in Syria

By Diana Rayes 

Postwar Syria faces a precarious economic and security situation and the United States’ assistance—or lack thereof—will play an outsize role in its outcome.

Democratic Transitions Economic Sanctions

MENASource

Jan 31, 2025

What the Gaza war reveals about the limitations of missile defense

By Jean-Loup Samaan

The Gaza War serves as a cautionary tale about what missile defense can achieve, what it should achieve, and where it falls short.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Jan 31, 2025

Libya’s de facto partition demands a solution designed for it—not for outside contenders

By Hani Shennib

Libya needs new ideas and a national and international will to reset a realistic path toward a modern state.

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

Jan 30, 2025

The roots of recent Algeria-France tensions are deeper than it may seem

By Karim Mezran and Nicola Pedde

Algeria’s fear of growing international isolation, coupled with growing internal tensions in French domestic politics, risk aggravating misunderstandings between the two countries.

Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights
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Experts

Active affiliation

Reem Salahi

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Nathan Sales

Distinguished fellow, Middle East Programs

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

Extremism Human Rights

Staff

Nushin Sarkarati

Deputy Director, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Corruption Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Alp Sevimlisoy

CEO, Alp Sevimlisoy Yatırım (Alp Sevimlisoy Investment)

Millennium Leadership Program

NATO Trade and tariffs

Fellow

Joumana Seif

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Daniel B. Shapiro

Distinguished Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Conflict English
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