Stay Updated

The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Sep 18, 2025

Libya’s stalled transition: When domestic spoilers meet foreign interests

By Luis Aleman and Karim Mezran

Libya’s stalled transition has not happened by chance; it has been deliberately engineered into paralysis by both domestic spoilers and foreign powers.

Libya Middle East

MENASource

Sep 18, 2025

Insights from Israel and the Gulf: An evolving regional integration

By Emily Milliken and Gershom Sacks

At a moment when the Abraham Accords is in question, we witnessed how the region moves quietly, sometimes boldly, towards cooperation.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Sep 17, 2025

In landmark Syria elections, women still face electoral hurdles

By Marie Forestier 

As the indirect electoral process begins, Syrian officials could take several steps to increase women’s chances in this process.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions
READ More from MENASOURCE

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.

Learn more

Content

IranSource

Sep 26, 2019

Sanctions supersede overtures between US and Iran at the UN

By Barbara Slavin

United Nations General Assembly summits can be an opportunity for ice-breaking encounters between long and bitter adversaries. For the US and Iran this year, however, it was another missed opportunity.

Iran Maritime Security

Event Recap

Sep 24, 2019

Key Sanctions Risks and Trends

By Global Business & Economics Program

On September 19th, the Atlantic Council’s Global Business & Economics Program’s Economic Sanctions Initiative hosted an event alongside Kharon to discuss key sanctions risks and trends. Ambassador Daniel Fried, the Weiser Family distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, offered brief opening remarks to introduce the event’s topic and presenters.

China Economic Sanctions

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2019

Trump defends his foreign policy to the world at UNGA

By David A. Wemer

Trump justified his vision for the United States' role in the world to the UNGA crowd. Here what Atlantic Council experts think it means.

China Iran

Issue Brief

Sep 24, 2019

The United States in Syria: Why it still matters

By Frederic C. Hof

The objective of the United States in Syria must be a full political transition from criminal, terrorist rule by family and entourage to a consensual, legitimate system featuring rule of law. Its achievement would, barring unanticipated regime collapse, take years of patient, focused, and disciplined effort.

Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society

Issue Brief

Sep 24, 2019

The United States in Syria: Why it still matters

By Frederic C. Hof

The objective of the United States in Syria must be a full political transition from criminal, terrorist rule by family and entourage to a consensual, legitimate system featuring rule of law. Its achievement would, barring unanticipated regime collapse, take years of patient, focused, and disciplined effort.

Politics & Diplomacy Resilience & Society

New Atlanticist

Sep 24, 2019

Rouhani’s plan a reason to be hopeful?

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Rouhani's proposal for peace will be rejected as outlandish, but it is a sign that Tehran may recognize that its attack on Abqaiq was an overstep.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Sep 24, 2019

Lipner in Fathom Journal: Benjamin Netanyahu may be down, but he’s certainly not out
Elections Israel

IranSource

Sep 23, 2019

De-escalating the Iran crisis via a 31-year-old UN resolution

By Barbara Slavin

The roots of the current crisis in the Persian Gulf go back more than three decades to a devastating war between Iran and Iraq. So does a potential face-saving way to begin to de-escalate that crisis.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Sep 22, 2019

Fontenrose joins Fox News to discuss US- Iran tensions following the Aramco attack

By Atlantic Council

Iran Saudi Arabia

Inflection Points

Sep 21, 2019

Trump’s Iran test: Nerves and vision

By Frederick Kempe

President Trump’s maximum pressure and Iran’s escalating responses have increased the risks of conflict. They have also brought a new chance of resolution that may become the most significant test yet of President Trump’s ability to transform his disruptive foreign policy into positive outcomes.

Defense Policy Economic Sanctions
Load More

Experts

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Ilker Baburoglu

CEO, MedTrade Energy & Commodities

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Economy & Business

Staff

Elise Baker

Senior Staff Lawyer, Strategic Litigation Project

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism

Staff

Nibras Basitkey

Associate Director, MENA Futures Lab

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Hussein Al Baya

Partner, Wildcard

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

Fellow

Nicholas Blanford

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Civil Society
Load More