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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

IranSource

Feb 24, 2020

FATF blacklists Iran, but does it matter?

By Brian O’Toole

The decision to impose counter-measures by the Paris-based body signals something of an end to the group’s patience with Iran, especially by the European Union, after Tehran failed to follow through on the action plan it agreed upon with the FATF to address its deficiencies.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

In the News

Feb 23, 2020

Mezran and Cristiani in The National Interest: Trouble in Tripoli: Why Europe must respond to the ambitions of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar

Every time there is a European conference on Libya, the dominant feeling is the same: the Europeans seem to be more interested in the process—the mere act of bringing stakeholders together to talk—than the outcome. It is less clear whether this talk is actually conducive to any solution that can stop the spiral of violence […]

Libya

In the News

Feb 22, 2020

Durakoglu quoted in the Boston Globe about the state of a US hostage in Lebanon

Disinformation Middle East

In the News

Feb 21, 2020

Slavin joins PRI to discuss Iran’s parliamentary elections

By Atlantic Council

Elections Iran

In the News

Feb 21, 2020

Nia in Just Security: For Free Expression in Iran, the U.S. Can Act to Keep the Internet On

By Atlantic Council

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Feb 20, 2020

To deter Iran, the Gulf states need stronger navies

By Daniel J. Samet

The Gulf states should follow Washington’s lead in restoring deterrence in the face of the desperate regime in Tehran.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 19, 2020

Slavin quoted in CNBC on Iran’s parliamentary elections

By Atlantic Council

Elections Iran

IranSource

Feb 19, 2020

Fantasies of regime collapse in Iran come without a plan

By Borzou Daragahi

In pushing for regime collapse in Iran, US officials should at least be aware of what they’re courting. Even if their policy is successful, it could be more disastrous than what they’ve ever imagined.

Iran Middle East

In the News

Feb 18, 2020

Kadhim quoted in the Associated Press on Shiite cleric al-Sistani

By Atlantic Council

Iraq Middle East

IranSource

Feb 14, 2020

Factbox: Iran’s 2020 parliamentary elections

By Arash Azizi

This guide aims to illuminate some of the basic procedures, conflicts inside the conservative camp and the likelihood of a low turnout with meager reformist participation.

Iran Middle East

Experts