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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

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.

Content

In the News

Sep 16, 2020

Ferziger in Foreign Policy: For Netanyahu, Normalization Deals Are a Long-Awaited Vindication

Israel Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

MENASource

Sep 16, 2020

The limits of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and what Syrians can learn

By Reem Salahi and Bachar El-Halabi

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s shortcomings provide multiple lessons for future accountability in Syria.

Lebanon Middle East

In the News

Sep 16, 2020

Charai in The Hill: Abraham Accords: New hope for peace in Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Though some in Arab countries fear that signing a peace agreement with Israel will threaten the prospects for a two-state solution, the Abraham Accords could mark a major turning point in the Middle East. And, Atlantic Council Board Director Ahmed Charai argues, could present an opportunity for both Israelis and Palestinians to see increased security, economic opportunity, and hope. Read Atlantic Council Board Director Ahmed Charai's latest in The Hill on the potential for peace in the Middle East as a result of the Abraham Accords.

Israel Middle East

IranSource

Sep 16, 2020

#Don’tExecute: A semi-successful campaign against capital punishment in Iran

By Rebecca Stryer

For the third time in less than two months, Iranians took to Twitter in late August to express their outrage over another death sentence handed out to a protester.

Human Rights Iran

In the News

Sep 15, 2020

Badi quoted in Al Monitor on possible resignation of Libya Prime Minister

North Africa Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Sep 15, 2020

Mike Pompeo: ‘The tide has turned’ on global perceptions of Chinese threat

By David A. Wemer

Years of US campaigning against China’s unfair economic practices and aggressive diplomacy, coupled with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, has “awakened” the world to the threat Beijing poses to international security and the global economy, according to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

China Coronavirus

In the News

Sep 15, 2020

Fulton quoted in the Wall Street Journal on China-Gulf relations

China Politics & Diplomacy

ACFrontPage

Sep 15, 2020

Transcript: A conversation with US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on China, the Middle East, and the Trump administration’s foreign policy

By Atlantic Council

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Frederick Kempe to discuss the United States' strategies abroad on key issues like Middle East stability, US-Iran tensions, China's rising influence, NATO's role in the world, and more.

China Middle East

MENASource

Sep 15, 2020

Sistani’s roadmap to the renewal of political legitimacy in Iraq

By Abbas Kadhim

While his statement can be interpreted as a form of support for the current Iraqi government, this support is not unconditional.

Iraq Middle East

In the News

Sep 14, 2020

Wechsler quoted in AP on Trump’s string of diplomatic wins

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

Experts