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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Sep 10, 2025

Ten questions (and expert answers) on Operation Inherent Resolve’s end in Iraq

By Atlantic Council experts

This new frontier in the US-Iraq relationship leaves many opportunities, challenges and unknowns. Our experts unpack it all.

Defense Policy Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Sep 10, 2025

Jordan is building scalable startups—without chasing unicorns

By Rajae Sahouri

Despite challenges, in the world of privately held startups valued at $1 billion plus—the country has produced several resilient companies.

Economy & Business Future of Work

MENASource

Sep 8, 2025

Haftar’s long game: Dynastic power and diplomatic leverage in Libya

By Karim Mezran and Dario Cristiani

Haftar may be shaping not only the current political landscape, but is also positioning himself—and his family—for long-term influence.

Libya Middle East
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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

Blog Post

Jun 24, 2020

The new Iranian child protection law is holistic, but discriminatory

By Hamed Farmand

Despite its shortcomings, the new lawis still a significant step towards protecting children and adolescents in Iran and serves as an essential resource for activists and legal professionals.

Iran Middle East

Blog Post

Jun 23, 2020

The United States needs an Iran strategy, not a ‘campaign’

By Alma Keshavarz

The United States’ policy towards Iran has reached an impasse. The Trump administration will have gone a full term without a meaningful strategy towards this historic rival.

Iran Middle East

Blog Post

Jun 23, 2020

Iranian officials’ hypocritical support of #BlackLivesMatter

By Rebecca Stryer

Over the past few weeks, Iranian officials have not shied away from condemning the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Jun 22, 2020

Khoury joins Al Jazeera to discuss why Yemen separatists have not seized Socotra
Middle East Yemen

In the News

Jun 20, 2020

Nusairat quoted in L’Orient-Le Jour on systemic racism in the Arab world
French Middle East

MENASource

Jun 18, 2020

Libya’s crisis is a tough puzzle to solve for Egypt

By Alessia Melcangi and Giuseppe Dentice

Two elements are certain in this complex scenario. Firstly, Cairo will not fall into the trap of being drawn into an open proxy war in Libya, since it might have serious repercussions on the security of its porous borders, especially in the south. Secondly, Haftar’s next moves will effectively define whether the relations have cooled between him and Cairo or whether Libya is facing yet another aftershock in a marriage that is more tactical than strategic.

Conflict Crisis Management

Blog Post

Jun 18, 2020

Iran’s muddled relationship with cryptocurrency is self-inflicted

By Steven Terner

On an institutional level, Iranian policymakers are having a very difficult time understanding how blockchain technology works.

Iran Middle East

Blog Post

Jun 18, 2020

Gulf states should defend their sea lanes: Here’s how

By Richard LeBaron, John W. Miller

The United States should play more of a supporting role with the Gulf states themselves providing more leadership and most, if not all of the forces.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

IranSource

Jun 17, 2020

A tale of two Americas, a tale of two Irans

By Maryam Nayeb Yazdi

The murder of Neda Agha-Soltan in 2009 continues to be a rallying cry among protesters in Iran, much like the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis has become for protesters in the United States today.

Iran Middle East
An elevated view of Saudi Arabia

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jun 17, 2020

Assessing Saudi Vision 2030: A 2020 review

By Stephen Grand, Katherine Wolff

Executive summary When global oil prices collapsed in summer 2014, Saudi Arabia confronted one of the most daunting economic challenges of its modern history. Upon ascending to the throne the following year, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his son Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (now the crown prince) responded by developing an ambitious […]

Economy & Business Energy Transitions
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Experts

Fellow

Omer Rafiq

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Hindi

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

Yerevan Saeed

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Amina Mohamed

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Economy & Business
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Events

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