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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

MENASource

Aug 25, 2025

Dispatch from Syria’s Christian strongholds: A new government, a full political spectrum

By Gregory Waters

The conditions of Christian communities across the country remain varied, with the opinions of religious and community leaders deeply mixed.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions
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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

Elections 2020

Oct 29, 2020

Middle East business leaders provide perspective on the economic impact of the upcoming US presidential election

By Middle East experts

In an empowerME survey conducted in the last thirty days, thirty-two Middle East business leaders shared their views on the possible economic impact of the 2020 US Presidential election. Atlantic Council experts Kirsten Fontenrose, Amjad Ahmad, Mohsin Khan, and Jean-Francois Seznec analyzed the data and provided the following key takeaways.

Education Elections

New Atlanticist

Oct 29, 2020

The 5×5—Trick or threat? The ghouls and goblins behind this year’s cyber incidents

By Simon Handler

This year has witnessed its fair share of unnerving cyber incidents from a range of spooky characters. But 2020 is not over yet. What further ghouls and goblins might lurk? Cyber Statecraft Initiative experts go 5×5 to discuss spine-chilling cyber incidents this Halloween.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

MENASource

Oct 29, 2020

Iraq’s economic White Paper misses a key issue for the energy sector

By Harry Istepanian

On October 10, the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi issued a White Paper to reform Iraq’s economy. The energy sector’s future has taken considerable space in the blueprint alongside the country’s increasing demand for electricity.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Oct 28, 2020

For Turkey, the Libyan conflict and the eastern Mediterranean are inextricably linked

By Ahmed Helal

The proxy confrontation playing out in Libya has intensified a regional competition for resources in the waters of the eastern Mediterranean, where several overlapping claims for maritime jurisdiction by Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus have fueled escalating tensions.

Europe & Eurasia Libya

Elections 2020

Oct 28, 2020

How to defeat Iranian and Russian cyber operations against the US election

By Thomas S. Warrick

Instead of offering general reassurances, the directors of national intelligence, the FBI, and cybersecurity should tell all Americans they have it in their power to hand Russia and Iran a strategic defeat. Vote early.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Elections 2020

Oct 28, 2020

Do Iranians really care who wins the US election?

By Sydney Martin

Several factors help explain why so many Iranians assert that it will not matter who wins in the US presidential election.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Oct 27, 2020

Katz quoted in Arab News on stale governance in the Middle East
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Elections 2020

Oct 27, 2020

The US election through the eyes of Iran’s moderates and hardliners

By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Amin Naeni

The outcome of the US presidential election will reverberate far beyond the United States, especially in Iran, where it may influence the fortunes of rival political factions as well as the results of Iran’s own presidential elections next June.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Oct 26, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in CNBC on possible US sanction policies towards Iran under President-elect Biden

By Atlantic Council

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

MENASource

Oct 26, 2020

Will US troops actually leave Syria in exchange for hostages?

By Abdulrahman al-Masri

While the talks between Washington and the Bashar al-Assad regime may be in its early stages, Donald Trump may want to secure some pre-election victories by securing the release of hostages and the return of soldiers.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Said El Khoury

Senior Piping Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Middle East

Staff

Alexander Young

Project Assistant

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Rza Aliyev

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Azerbaijani Central Asia

Expert

Jon Wilks

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Crisis Management

Fellow

Omer Rafiq

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Hindi

Fellow

Amina Mohamed

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Economy & Business
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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