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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

Oct 1, 2020

Dagres quoted in BBC News on Iranian accounts disrupting US presidential debate
Elections Iran

MENASource

Oct 1, 2020

A reform scenario for Lebanon

By Nabeel Khoury

The Lebanese system is defined in a formal constitutional document and an informal, though equally binding, National Pact. Both will need to be radically altered for genuine reform to take place.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Oct 1, 2020

A few memories of Kuwaiti Sheikh Sabah

By Richard LeBaron

Many will speculate about where Kuwait goes from here and whether there will be a leadership crisis.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 30, 2020

Hudson quoted in the Washington Post on the stalling of negotiations over Sudan normalizing relations with Israel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Israel

In the News

Sep 30, 2020

Fontenrose quoted in Reuters on the passing of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Sep 30, 2020

Examining Tehran’s regional strategy

By Kenneth Katzman

Neither the Obama administration’s successful negotiation of the 2015 multilateral Iran nuclear agreement nor the Trump administration’s unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA and re-imposition of sanctions appear to have dented or retarded Iran’s advancement of its regional goals.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Sep 29, 2020

Qaddour quoted in Foreign Policy on Syrian Americans and a possible Biden administration
Elections Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 29, 2020

Azodi in the National Interest: Israel’s Entry Into The Persian Gulf Won’t Bring Middle East Peace
Iran Middle East

MENASource

Sep 29, 2020

Does the United States need an embassy in Baghdad?

By David Mack

Iraq remains a country of great importance to the United States and it would be foolish to deprive Washington of a tool for assessing and hopefully influencing conditions in Iraq.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Sep 29, 2020

Absence of PhD programs contributes to weak research and development in the Gulf

By Omar Al-Ubaydli

The production of new knowledge is a very complex process and many factors contribute to the low levels of innovation exhibited by the Gulf countries. One factor that plays a role is the structure of tertiary education—particularly PhD programs.

Education Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Elizabeth Shortino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Christopher Aw

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Intelligence

Millennium fellow

Alexandra Hubbard-Gourlay

Senior Director, Laurel Strategies

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Media

Staff

Kate Springs

Program Assistant, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Fellow

Afaq Hussain

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Millennium fellow

Bushra Shammout

Head of Energy Security Winter Preparedness Strategy and Ministerial Briefing, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security
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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