Middle East

Middle East

Stretching from the Western Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East continues to be a region struggling with violent conflict, political repression, and poor development. Numerous pro-democracy protest movements, a burgeoning youth population, and efforts to reform governments and lessen economic dependence on oil, however, are causes for optimism. The United States and the international community must remain engaged with the region to provide support for these positive moves and to address the many remaining challenges.

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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Jun 23, 2026

The Middle East’s greatest killer is not what you think

By Daniel E. Zoughbie

When considering the forces claiming lives across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), minds inevitably turn to warfare and terrorism. Yet the region’s most prolific killer does not carry a weapon. Its methods are salt, sugar, and sitting. The numbers are staggering. Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 1.4 million people in the region every year; […]

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Jun 11, 2026

The Iran war is a game of liar’s poker

By Khalid Azim

The central question has not simply been who possesses power, but who is willing to absorb pain, tolerate risk, and continue escalating when conventional logic suggests restraint.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jun 4, 2026

تفتت الفصائل المسلحة العراقية بعد تحول النظام الإيراني من الثيوقراطية الى الجنتوقراطية

By Munqith Dagher

كيف يؤثر تغيير القيادة في ايران على الميليشيات العراقية؟ د. منقذ داغر يبدو اننا بتنا ، بعد 28 فبراير 2026 ،امام نظام مختلف وظيفياً، بل وحتى هيكلياً عما عرفناه طوال السنوات السبعة وأربعين من عمر النظام الايراني. فقد اتسم نظام الحكم في ايران بنسخته الخمينية الأولى 1979-1989  بأحادية قطبية لا مكان فيها سوى للمرشد الأعلى(الخميني). […]

Arabic Conflict
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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

Jul 15, 2025

Yevgeniya Gaber co-authored an op-ed on the recent developments in the Middle East and their implications for the Turkish-Russian relations
Conflict Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Jul 13, 2025

Ukraine can benefit from growing tech ties between Gulf states and the US

By Anatoly Motkin

As the Middle East adjusts to new geopolitical realities, growing tech sector cooperation between the US and the Gulf states is creating a range of opportunities for Ukraine, writes Anatoly Motkin.

Conflict Cybersecurity

MENASource

Jul 12, 2025

Netanyahu’s trip to Washington ends with conflicting signals

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The moment of truth may yet come when Trump’s leverage on Netanyahu, which is considerable, may not be expressed only in private settings.

Iran Israel

Inflection Points

Jul 11, 2025

Turning on Putin would fit Trump’s trend of second-term wins

By Frederick Kempe

Taking a tougher stance on the Russian president, who has not yet taken peace-making efforts seriously, would build on Trump’s recent successes.

Iran NATO

In the News

Jul 10, 2025

Charai in Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Why Donald Trump Deserves the Nobel Peace Prize

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jul 9, 2025

For the Gulf, business comes first—even after the Twelve Day War

By Joze Pelayo

Gulf leaders' desire to shift the regional narrative toward economic and technological development continues to be hijacked by conflict.

Economy & Business Iran

In the News

Jul 8, 2025

Kroenig mentioned in the Washington Post on nuclear nonproliferation

On July 7, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was mentioned in the Washington Post for a recent op-ed he published titled “The Trump doctrine on nuclear nonproliferation is born.” A nuclear disarmament advocate from Back from the Brink wrote a letter to the editor reacting to the op-ed.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

MENASource

Jul 7, 2025

Unpacking Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court chaos

By Safwan al-Amin

Regardless of the reasons behind initial mass resignations, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court is serious.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Jul 7, 2025

Opportunity knocks on Netanyahu’s US visit after Israel-Iran war

By Shalom Lipner

Prevailing circumstances—albeit fraught with barriers—present the opportunity for all sides to declare victory.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Jul 3, 2025

How the war in Gaza diminished dreams of political reform in Egypt

By Amr Salah Mohamed

Egypt's national debate has shifted from reform to national security with just weeks ahead of parliamentary elections.

Elections Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Daniel E. Mouton

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Mark Mowrey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Dan Murphy

Anchor, CNBC

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Millennium fellow

Hasan Nabulsi

Communications and Media Manager, Office of the Crown Prince of Jordan

Millennium Leadership Program

Media Middle East

Fellow

Gabriele Natalizia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia Italian

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Omer Niazi

President and Founder, Council on International Law Order and Security (CILOS)

Middle East Rule of Law
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