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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

MENASource

Sep 10, 2025

Ten questions (and expert answers) on Operation Inherent Resolve’s end in Iraq

By Atlantic Council experts

This new frontier in the US-Iraq relationship leaves many opportunities, challenges and unknowns. Our experts unpack it all.

Defense Policy Democratic Transitions

MENASource

Sep 10, 2025

Jordan is building scalable startups—without chasing unicorns

By Rajae Sahouri

Despite challenges, in the world of privately held startups valued at $1 billion plus—the country has produced several resilient companies.

Economy & Business Future of Work
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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

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

MENASource

Sep 20, 2019

To deal, or not to deal: Iran remains divided on the United States

By Sara Bazoobandi

The Iranian leadership has been unable to find a consensus on when the negotiations should begin, or what a final agreement should achieve.

Economic Sanctions Iran

New Atlanticist

Sep 20, 2019

Iranian central bank designation: What does it mean?

By Brian O'Toole

The only appreciable impact of the September 20 designation will be to further impair the delivery of food and medicine to the Iranian people, who are already struggling to get needed supplies and to antagonize US partners around the globe.

Economic Sanctions Iran

In the News

Sep 20, 2019

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Challenges to Israel’s Gas Exports

By Atlantic Council

Energy Markets & Governance Israel
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Experts

Fellow

Yerevan Saeed

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Energy & Environment

Fellow

Amina Mohamed

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Reem Goussous

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Americas Arabic

Staff

Victoria J. Taylor 

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Energy & Environment
Jonathan Green is a nonresident senior fellow at the GeoStrategy Initiative in the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Fellow

Jonathan Green

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry

Fellow

Itai Melchior

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business
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