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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Sep 4, 2025

Dispatch from Basra: Glimpses of hope in Iraq’s forgotten south

By Jon Wilks

Basra is proving to be part of a broader trend: improved security and visible reconstruction, despite persistent corruption and dysfunction.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Aug 29, 2025

Is the cautious China-Iran military cooperation at a turning point?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

With a new war between Iran and Israel still an immediate threat, China might need to ask itself: Is cooperation with Iran worth risking its diplomacy model in the Gulf?

China Iran

MENASource

Aug 28, 2025

The Gulf’s dark horse: Why Oman can seize a global trade realignment

By Nic Adams

While economic uncertainty is gripping many countries around the world, Oman has remained a steadfast defense and economic partner of the United States.

Defense Industry Defense Policy
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

Fast Thinking

Dec 2, 2020

FAST THINKING: Iran sends a message

By Atlantic Council

Now we know how Iran will respond to the assassination of its top nuclear scientist: with an ultimatum to the Biden administration. Tehran enacted a law today to immediately ramp up uranium enrichment—and to expel international nuclear inspectors if US sanctions aren’t lifted by early February, right after Joe Biden takes office. What does the move mean?

Elections Iran

In the News

Dec 2, 2020

Preble in Vox: Biden may have a foreign policy “inbox problem”

By Atlantic Council

Christopher Preble was quoted in Vox, speaking about the challenges a Biden administration may face when trying to act on big foreign policy goals.

English Iran

MENASource

Dec 1, 2020

2021 budget reveals the depth of Syria’s economic woes

By William Christou and Karam Shaar

Unless a political settlement is reached and the sanctions are lifted to enable reconstruction, the economy of regime-held Syria will continue to struggle.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Dec 1, 2020

Event recap: “Lessons for Afghanistan from Lebanon’s peace process”

By Atlantic Council

On November 25, 2020, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington D.C. jointly hosted H.E. Ambassador Roya Rahmani, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Dr. Patricia Karam, and Dr. Daniel Corstange for a conversation about lessons that can be learned from the 1989 Lebanese peace process for the ongoing Afghan peace talks.

Afghanistan Lebanon

In the News

Dec 1, 2020

Slavin joins WHYY to discuss US-Iran relations in the final weeks of the Trump Administration
Elections Iran

In the News

Dec 1, 2020

Qaddour quoted in VOA on Syria Constitution talks
Politics & Diplomacy Syria

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 1, 2020

Transcript: “Lessons for Afghanistan from Lebanon’s peace process”

By Atlantic Council

IRFAN NOORUDDIN: Good morning, good afternoon, good evening to all of you joining us this Wednesday. My name is Irfan Nooruddin. I’m a professor at Georgetown University and director of the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council.  On behalf of my colleagues here in Washington, it is a real pleasure to host this conversation […]

Afghanistan Lebanon

IranSource

Dec 1, 2020

A top Baluchi terrorist was killed—how will this impact insurgencies in Iran?

By Fatemeh Aman

The killing of top terrorist Omar Shahoozi has no impact on the lives of the Baluch, who are some of the poorest ethnic minority groups in Iran.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Nov 30, 2020

Warrick joins Newsy to discuss the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh

On November 30, Middle East Programs non-resident senior fellow Thomas Warrick gave an interview to Newsy on the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh

Defense Policy Iran

In the News

Nov 30, 2020

Badi quoted in Foreign Policy on UAE’s potential involvement with Russian Wagner Group mercenaries
North Africa Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Mercedes Gutierrez Barcena

Commercial and New Business Development Advisor, Shell

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Fellow

Sinan Hatahet

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Khémaies Jhinaoui

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

Fellow

Marie Jourdain

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Africa English

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Resident Senior Fellow, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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Events

Public Event Thu, September 11, 2025 • 12:00 pm ET

US-Iraq security partnership after Operation Inherent Resolve
Iraq Security & Defense
Public Event Wed, September 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Implications of Middle East security trends for Latin America and the Caribbean
Conflict Latin America Middle East Non-Traditional Threats