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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
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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

Nov 18, 2020

Warrick in the Houston Chronicle: Trump gambles with national security by removing troops
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Nov 18, 2020

Mudassir Sheikha and Amjad Ahmad on how to create more “unicorns” in the Middle East

By Allison Holle

Atlantic Council’s empowerME initiative hosted Careem Co-Founder & CEO Mudassir Sheikha and empowerME Director and venture capital veteran Amjad Ahmad for a conversation about Sheikha’s path to success and strategies for building a more productive entrepreneurial ecosystem to create more unicorns in the Middle East. Below are the key takeaways from the discussion moderated by CNBC Reporter & Anchor Hadley Gamble.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Nov 18, 2020

Europe can bridge the gap between Iran and a Biden administration

By Barbara Slavin, Ellie Geranmayeh and Sahil Shah

We have prepared a series of recommendations that aim to highlight the role Europe can play in preserving the JCPOA, promoting regional peace, and boosting people-to-people contacts with Iran.

Central Europe European Union

Issue Brief

Nov 18, 2020

Renewing transatlantic strategy on Iran

By Ellie Geranmayeh, Barbara Slavin, and Sahil Shah

A new report presents a series of recommendations for the E-3 and the EU to preserve the JCPOA, promote regional peace and development and boost people-to-people contacts with Iran in concert with the new US administration. Taken together, these steps would amount to a renewed transatlantic diplomatic agenda through which the United States and European allies can stabilize the nuclear file and then build on the resulting diplomatic momentum to address other concerns with Iran.

Elections English

MENASource

Nov 18, 2020

Kuwait’s fiscal crisis requires bold reforms

By Ahmed Helal

While Kuwait's vibrant parliamentary life allows for greater civic participation, it has hindered decision-making around sorely needed fiscal adjustments and the implementation of any meaningful diversification plans.

Economy & Business Middle East

Fast Thinking

Nov 17, 2020

FAST THINKING: Trump’s plan to bring US troops home by Inauguration Day

By Atlantic Council

First he shook up the leadership at the Pentagon. Now, as his new acting defense secretary announced on Tuesday, Donald Trump is planning to withdraw significant numbers of US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. How should we weigh the noble cause of ending wars against the president’s rush to do so as his term comes to an end? And how will these moves affect the Biden administration’s options when it takes office in January?

Afghanistan Defense Industry

In the News

Nov 17, 2020

Warrick quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Biden’s approach to DHS
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In-Depth Research & Reports

Nov 16, 2020

US sanctions policy: Lessons learned and recommendations for the new administration

By Daniel Fried

WTO reform is especially important now since it would provide an efficient way to tackle China’s unfair trade practices head-on. This paper proposes concurrent measures that the United States and European Union can take to revitalize the WTO.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Nov 16, 2020

ICMP report highlights need to launch missing persons process for Syria

By Kathryne Bomberger

While the present Syrian government is unlikely to cooperate, much can be done in the short and medium term to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and credible process. Finding more than 130,000 missing persons will require investigations across Syria and beyond.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Nov 15, 2020

Warrick quoted in the New York Times on Biden’s approach to the DHS
Middle East Security & Defense
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Experts

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society
Graham Brookie

Staff

Graham Brookie

Vice President and Senior Director

Atlantic Council Technology Programs

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation National Security

Millennium fellow

Rumaitha Al Busaidi

Edward S. Mason Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Middle East

Staff

Sophia Busch

Associate Director

GeoEconomics Center

Middle East Trade and tariffs

Staff

Elina Carpen

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Americas Energy & Environment

Board director

Ahmed Charai

Board Member

International Norms Media
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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