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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

IranSource

Mar 20, 2020

Iranian new year begins with a growing coronavirus crisis

By Mehrnaz Samimi

According to a Persian expression, “Springtime reveals what kind of a year we’d have,” meaning that should a year start well, it would continue and end well. If spring is unpleasant, however, one cannot hope for a good year.

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Mar 19, 2020

Kadhim joins the Arab Center in Washington DC to discuss Iraq’s current and future politics

By Atlantic Council

Iraq Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 18, 2020

Slavin quoted in The Week on sanctions against Iran under coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2020

Another prime minister nominee in Iraq: Will this one take?

By Abbas Kadhim

Al-Zurfi's success will depend on the Kurds and the Sunnis, whose opposition destroyed the chances of the previous nominee. For the Kurdish and the Sunni blocs, it is not a matter of whether Al-Zurfi is able to meet the governance challenges, but rather a question of if he will undertake enough political bargaining and ethno-sectarian apportionment of political positions that come with perks. Al-Zurfi will have to calculate how much he can give them to keep a semblance of legitimacy for his government.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

In the News

Mar 17, 2020

Slavin quoted in The Hill on coronavirus and rising US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Mar 17, 2020

Slavin in the American Conservative: Throttled by US sanctions, Iran struggles with the coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Economic Sanctions

IranSource

Mar 17, 2020

Idlib is a stress test for Iranian-Turkish relations

By Sina Azodi and Giorgio Cafiero

The killing of scores of Lebanese Hezbollah members amid Turkey’s ongoing military campaign against the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and various pro-Assad forces on February 28 raises important questions about how the Idlib crisis will impact Tehran’s relationship with Ankara.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2020

What the coronavirus emergency means for the US-Iran conflict

By Kirsten Fontenrose

While the world is focused on the spread of a pandemic, the conflict between Iran and the United States is heating up. Without the laser-focused media attention of early January to temper the actions of both sides, we can expect to see riskier behavior and less concern for collateral damage.

Conflict Coronavirus

IranSource

Mar 16, 2020

COVID-19: The latest shock to a battered Iranian system

By Barbara Slavin

How many shocks can a political system absorb and still remain in power?

Coronavirus Iran

In the News

Mar 14, 2020

Lipner quoted in the Wall Street Journal on a potential unity government in Israel

By Atlantic Council

Elections Israel
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Experts

Fellow

Beth Van Schaack

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Human Rights International Norms

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Omer Niazi

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

Middle East Rule of Law

Staff

Ellie Sennett 

Editor

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Middle East

Fellow

Dan Rothem

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Hebrew

Fellow

Alina L. Romanowski

Distinguished Fellow

Iraq Initiative Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Olivia Azadegan

Senior Energy Manager, Global Methane Hub

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance
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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