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The latest pieces from MENASource:


MENASource

Sep 19, 2025

How Israel’s strike on Doha is forcing a Gulf security reckoning

By
Giorgio Cafiero

The Gulf monarchies have displayed strong unity at a time when rethinking twenty-first-century Gulf security is no longer optional.

Israel
Middle East


MENASource

Sep 19, 2025

Snapback sanctions threaten to further derail Iran nuclear deal hopes

By
Rob Macaire

Now would be the best time for the West to negotiate a deal with Iran—but snapback sanctions threaten a derailing into further confrontation.

Economic Sanctions
Iran


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

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.

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Content

IranSource

Feb 13, 2019

Moral Courage Needed for US to Engage Iran

By Thomas Buonomo

In his January 10 speech in Cairo, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described America as a “force for good in the Middle East.” “We need to acknowledge that truth, because if we don’t, we make bad choices [that will] have consequences for nations, for millions of people,” he said. “In falsely seeing ourselves as a force […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2019

What to expect from the US-Polish summit on the Middle East

By David A. Wemer

"The Trump administration waffled about the aims of the conference. But the truth is this conference is very much about Iran and a symbolic act to show that the world is united again Tehran—particularly Arab countries and Israel.

Economic Sanctions Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 12, 2019

The US-Iranian relationship: let’s try engagement

By David A. Wemer

“I simply do not see the conditions for another revolution.” He saw “no evidence that there is a social base in Iran that wants to see a radical change," said Mohsen Milani, executive director of the University of South Florida’s Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies.

Economic Sanctions Iran

Past events

Feb 12, 2019

How Iran Has Changed in Forty Years and What the Future Portends

By Barbara Slavin

Iran forty years after its Islamic revolution is facing a grave economic crisis and growing popular discontent. It continues to commit acts that deepen its isolation even as it benefits from the mistakes of its adversaries. US sanctions are more punishing than anticipated but will probably not cause Iran to alter policies of greatest concern […]

Iran

IranSource

Feb 12, 2019

Poland Summit Strives for Stability in the Middle East

By Avi Melamed

The Trump administration accurately identified the Iranian threat and has, on some significant issues, acted accordingly—including the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the application of increasingly tough sanctions on Iran, as well as organizing the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East in […]

Iran Israel

In the News

Feb 11, 2019

Fried Quoted in Middle East Eye on Warsaw Middle East Summit

By Daniel Fried

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 10, 2019

Slavin Joins i24News to Discuss the Iran Policy of the US on 40th Year of Islamic Revolution

By Barbara Slavin

Watch the full discussion here

Iran

In the News

Feb 9, 2019

Bryza Quoted in TRT World to Discuss US-Turkey Talks on Joint Task Force in Syria

By Matthew Bryza

Read the full article here

Syria

SyriaSource

Feb 8, 2019

Bashar al-Assad and the greater Arab world

By Dr. Ali Hussein Bakeer and Giorgio Cafiero

Iran’s role in the Levant and the question of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s legitimacy are unquestionably polarizing issues in the region. Both have potential to slow down the process by which Syria’s government, citizens, and fellow Arab states could reach agreement on a lasting settlement to the country’s eight-year civil war that could potentially pave the path for peace and stability returning to Syria.

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

SyriaSource

Feb 8, 2019

Bashar al-Assad and the Greater Arab World

By Dr. Ali Hussein Bakeer and Giorgio Cafiero

The outcome of the fourth Arab Economic and Social Development (AESD) summit held in Lebanon last month spoke volumes about the Middle East’s deep divisions. Iran’s role in the Levant and the question of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s legitimacy are unquestionably polarizing issues in the region. Both have potential to slow down the process by […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

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Nasredeen Abdulbari

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Arabic

Fellow

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley

Distinguished Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Middle East National Security

Fellow

Ahmed Aboudouh

Former Nonresident Fellow

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

Arabic China

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Millennium fellow

Ramzi Abunemreh

Architectural Manager, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Asia Economy & Business

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy
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