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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

Aug 25, 2020

Slavin joins CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss Trump’s Iran policy

Iran Middle East

In the News

Aug 25, 2020

Hudson quoted in Mail & Guardian on Sudan’s efforts to ease relations with Israel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

In-Depth Research & Reports

Aug 25, 2020

Strangers to strategic partners: Thirty years of Sino-Saudi relations

By Jonathan Fulton

This report begins with a brief historical overview of Sino-Saudi relations, it then discusses how the partnership has developed, and ends with an analysis of the bi- lateral relationship within the context of the US-Sino-Saudi triangle.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Aug 24, 2020

The Caesar Act might alter the UAE’s normalization policy with Syria

By Emily Santucci

Even if the US chooses to withhold more punitive measures against Emirati entities for the time being, Abu Dhabi’s posture of rapprochement with Syria may come under closer scrutiny from Washington down the road.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

In the News

Aug 22, 2020

Slavin quoted in VOA on ‘snapback’ sanctions on Iran

Iran Middle East

In the News

Aug 21, 2020

Nawaz joins StratNewsGlobal to discuss the implications of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia divide

By Atlantic Council

Pakistan Politics & Diplomacy

Elections 2020

Aug 21, 2020

Adviser on Biden’s foreign policy: Start at home and repair alliances

By David A. Wemer

One of his chief foreign policy advisers said that a future Biden White House would focus its foreign policy on revitalizing the United States at home, rehabilitating frayed alliances, and building a team of democracies to solve the world’s biggest challenges.

China Climate Change & Climate Action

MENASource

Aug 21, 2020

Will nine years of war and deteriorating governance spark a new movement inside Syria?

By Noura Darwish

Unbearable living conditions and a lack of hope in both the Assad regime and the international community have pushed Syrians to a new level of anger and outrage. It would be a mistake to think that this alone will push people to act after nine years of war and so much loss. However, it would be a bigger mistake to let this opportunity slip without trying to seize it in order to bring positive change to the Syrian people who are so desperately in need of it.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

IranSource

Aug 20, 2020

Why is Iran concerned about the peace agreement between the UAE and Israel?

By Sina Azodi

Despite the media frenzy over the recent agreement between Israel and UAE, the agreement is unlikely to bring about a fundamental transformation in Arab-Israeli conflict, as long as the fate of the two-state solution remains murky.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Aug 20, 2020

Hudson quoted in the Middle East Eye on motivations for Sudan to normalize its relations with Israel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Democratic Transitions

Experts