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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

MENASource

Mar 30, 2020

The coronavirus crisis highlights the unique challenges of North African countries

By Karim Mezran, Alessia Melcangi, Emily Burchfield, and Zineb Riboua

It is important to monitor the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, its effects on each North Africa system, and the debate between government elites and masses to better understand the situation in these countries and the long-term implications of the health crisis.

Coronavirus Libya

MENASource

Mar 27, 2020

Israel is now within striking distance of having a new government

By Shalom Lipner

Political drama in Israel reached a new peak on March 26 when Benny Gantz, chairman of the now ruptured Blue and White alliance, was installed as speaker of the Knesset in Jerusalem.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Mar 27, 2020

Coronavirus is exacerbating the precarious situation of Syrian refugees and IDPs

By Pınar Dost

As the countries across the world attempt to grapple with the unfolding pandemic, there is a real risk of overlooking the situation of refugees, who due to their living conditions are among the most vulnerable to a serious outbreak. The pandemic comes at a particularly precarious time as the future of Idlib and the EU-Turkey migration deal are in doubt.

Coronavirus Human Rights

Elections 2020

Mar 26, 2020

US strategy in Iraq and the coronavirus plot twist

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Tehran is betting that the world is too consumed with managing a pandemic to hold them accountable—and that the US administration is unwilling to stay the course in Iraq because it is too gun shy in an election year and too financially strapped by the coming burden of US unemployment. The implications of a global pandemic make that a risky bet.

Conflict Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

Dual demand and supply shocks have created historic oil crisis, IEA executive director says

By David A. Wemer

Dramatically lower oil demand due to the coronavirus pandemic and an emerging supply glut caused by the failure of major oil producers to cut production has slammed the global oil market with a crisis “unique in history,” according to Dr. Fatih Birol.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Mar 26, 2020

Ending the “Endless War” trope

By Paul D. Miller

The trope about ending endless wars is really a way of arguing that the US foreign policy establishment has failed, that the supposed doctrine of interventionism is ineffective and counterproductive, and that the United States should retrench, withdraw, and do less in the world. It is the latest talking point in a long-running debate between advocates of restraint and advocates of engagement. The debate is not whether we want wars to end or not, but about what strategy is best suited to end them on the best terms.

Afghanistan Conflict

IranSource

Mar 26, 2020

New tensions between Iran and the IAEA threaten the JCPOA

By Sina Azodi

Amid the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, concerns are being expressed by some experts that the disease could hamper the ability of the IAEA to monitor Iran’s nuclear program.

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Mar 25, 2020

Aman in Responsible Statecraft: Without international aid, the coronavirus crisis in Iran will spread throughout South Asia

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Bangladesh

In the News

Mar 24, 2020

Slavin quoted in Middle East Eye on how sanctions hinder Iran’s ability to address coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economic Sanctions

MENASource

Mar 24, 2020

Coronavirus experiences on the ground in the Middle East

By Zineb Riboua

We spoke to several Atlantic Council nonresident fellows based in the region to get a sense of how these events are playing out on the ground.

Coronavirus Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Nicholas Hopton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia Iran

Millennium fellow

Said El Khoury

Senior Piping Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

Fellow

David H. Young

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Afghanistan Conflict

Staff

Kayra Sener 

Program Assistant, Realign for Palestine

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Realign For Palestine

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Fellow

Omer Rafiq

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Hindi
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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