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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Aug 19, 2025

For enduring normalization, Israel must back democracy in Sudan

By Nasredeen Abdulbari

Israel should align itself with Sudan’s genuine pro-democracy civilian forces—not its military elites.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Aug 19, 2025

Boulos’s North Africa trip reinforces US ‘deals, not aid’ strategy

By Alissa Pavia

The US senior advisor for Africa’s visit to the region showcases that Washington still considers North Africa to be central to its foreign policy.

North & West Africa Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Aug 13, 2025

What to know about the history (and future) of the Hezbollah disarmament question

By Kristian Patrick Alexander

Domestic opposition and international demands have brought the question of Hezbollah’s arms to the fore, placing the group in an increasingly precarious position.

Arms Control Conflict
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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 2, 2021

From Myanmar to Iran: Kroenig and Ashford debate Chinese influence around the world

By Atlantic Council

On April 2, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they discuss vulnerabilities to the global trading system, China’s preferences for what happens in Myanmar, and the consequences of China imposing retaliatory sanctions […]

China Economic Sanctions

MENASource

Apr 1, 2021

Mr. Wang goes to the Middle East

By Jonathan Fulton

This marks the first time that every GCC country has received a senior Chinese official in the same calendar year. China’s MENA footprint is only getting deeper.

China Middle East

MENASource

Apr 1, 2021

The Sinjar agreement has good ideas, but is it a dead end?

By Hanar Marouf

The uncontrollable surge of powers in Sinjar may bring about the next political and humanitarian catastrophe for Iraq if not managed properly.

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 31, 2021

Arab News covered the Atlantic Council’s event on empowerME’s new IGNITE program
Civil Society Economy & Business

IranSource

Mar 31, 2021

How Iranian Phantoms pulled off one of the most daring airstrikes in recent memory

By Sina Azodi and Ali Dadpay

On April 4, 1981, eight F-4 Phantom fighter bombers conducted a daring airstrike on three airbases deep inside Iraqi territory.

Iran Middle East

Issue Brief

Mar 31, 2021

Putin’s Mediterranean gambit: Endgame unclear

By Mark N. Katz

For more than 250 years, Russian leaders have sought to project power and influence in the Mediterranean region. Sometimes these efforts have met with a significant degree of success. At times, though, Russia has pulled back from the Mediterranean because of setbacks in the region, events in Europe, or convulsions inside Russia. These pullbacks, however, have never been permanent and have always been followed by renewed Russian efforts to gain influence in the region.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Mar 30, 2021

Slavin quoted in Responsible Statecraft on the Biden administration’s take on Iran
Democratic Transitions Iran

MENASource

Mar 30, 2021

Some advice to my Syrian and Syrian-American friends

By Frederic C. Hof

President Biden cannot do everything. Nor should he try. But what happens in Syria won’t stay there. It never has and never will. Still, advocates for an American policy in Syria focused on political transition must be sensitive, in their advocacy, to the policy priorities of an administration whose success would be vitally important to the US and the world.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

IranSource

Mar 30, 2021

An Iranian cleric, rights activist, and hacker entered a room—on Clubhouse

By Holly Dagres

It sounds like the beginning of a joke but in reality, that’s what happened recently in a Clubhouse chatroom discussing whether or not the hijab should remain mandatory in Iran.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Mar 29, 2021

Fulton quoted in Bloomberg on Chinese vaccine diplomacy in the UAE
China Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Mir Sadat

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Dari

Fellow

Ali Bakir

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Conflict Defense Industry

Fellow

Khaled Sakr

Nonresident Senior Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

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
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Events

Public Event Thu, August 28, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Understanding IMEC: A pathway to connectivity amid global uncertainty
Economy & Business India International Markets Middle East
Public Event Thu, September 11, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

US-Iraq security partnership after Operation Inherent Resolve
Iraq Security & Defense