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

Apr 20, 2026

The Iran war has forced the US-Gulf alliance out of the shadows

By Eric Alter

The Iran war is testing whether the informal strategic system the United States has assembled with its Gulf partners and Israel is strong enough to hold up amid a regional conflict.

Defense Policy Iran

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

‘They have been exposed’: The Iran war upends Gulf states’ security and business model

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

The Iran war threatens the sense of security, prosperity, and opportunity that the Gulf states have spent years cultivating as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil.

Critical Infrastructure Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Apr 15, 2026

The Iran war is not about China

By Jonathan Fulton

China is behaving like a normal external power with interests in the region, not like a crisis manager shaping outcomes.

China 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

MENASource

Jan 21, 2020

Repairing Iraq’s relations with the United States

By David Mack

Partners for mutual or overlapping national security objectives, like the governments in Baghdad and Washington, need a sustained dialogue.

Iraq Middle East

In the News

Jan 19, 2020

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Time for new initiatives in growing East Med energy crisis

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Libya

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2020

Berlin conference: The end of the game?

By Karim Mezran

The upcoming conference could result in the acceptance by all of Haftar’s future role in Libya and the legitimization of his attack against Tripoli. The Berlin conference could be a trap for the GNA, the courageous fighters of Tripoli, and the population of western Libya.

Conflict Libya

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2020

Khamenei’s rare sermon shows Tehran’s continued defiance

By Atlantic Council

Khameinei's January 17 speech shows that "those placing hopes in recent protests in Iran to shake—or even overturn—the system underestimate its power and ruthlessness," Barbara Slavin explains.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 17, 2020

Slavin joins Alhurra (Arabic) to discuss Iran policy

By Atlantic Council

Arabic Iran

IranSource

Jan 17, 2020

To help the Iranian people, reverse tech sanctions ASAP

By Azin Mohajerin

US sanctions were a gift to the Iranian government. As a result of the sanctions, the Iranian government was able to build its national intranet despite massive public disapproval.

Iran Technology & Innovation

In the News

Jan 17, 2020

Herbst quoted in RFE/RL on downed Ukrainian airline

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 16, 2020

Slavin joins CBS to discuss consequences of the death of Soleimani

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Jan 16, 2020

Consequences of Iraq’s vote to end Coalition troop presence

By Rend Al-Rahim

The parliament’s vote on January 5 was driven by emotional rhetoric of sovereignty and patriotism that left no space for dissent and implicitly accused anyone going against the current of betraying Iraq’s sovereignty. The vote displayed majoritarian rule at its worst with the underlying premise that the Shia religious groups can and will determine the interests of Iraq and determine its future, to the exclusion of other communities. The views of Kurds and Sunnis, and indeed of more secular Shia groups, were ignored, with the implication that their patriotism is suspect.

Conflict Iraq

Press Release

Jan 16, 2020

Carmiel Arbit, previously director for strategic engagement at AIPAC, joins Atlantic Council as nonresident senior fellow

By Atlantic Council

Washington, DC—The Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs today announced the addition of Carmiel Arbit as a nonresident senior fellow. During her fellowship, Carmiel will focus on US-Israel relations, the peace process, and Israeli and Palestinian politics. “Carmiel brings to the Atlantic Council her unique blend of deep expertise in Israel and the wider Middle East,” […]

Israel Middle East
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Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Hussein Al Baya

Partner, Wildcard

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Saeed Al Nazari

Secretary General, Great Arab Minds

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Middle East

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
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Events

Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
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