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MENASource

Sep 30, 2025

Is the Baghdad-Erbil oil deal a blueprint for settlement—or a stopgap? 

By Victoria J. Taylor , Yerevan Saeed

Whether the oil deal will be a tactical stopgap or a step towards permanent settlement will become known after the Iraq’s elections and the year’s end.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Sep 30, 2025

ISIS has its sights set on a new potential ally—Uyghur jihadi groups

By Morgan Tadych

The burgeoning ISIS-K and Turkestan Islamic Party partnership is likely to further threaten Chinese interests.

China Extremism

MENASource

Sep 26, 2025

For an increasingly isolated Netanyahu, it’s money time with Trump

By Shalom Lipner

Amid growing international criticism, the Israeli Prime Minister is playing his ace—or rather, his Trump—card in Washington.

Israel Middle East
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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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MENASource

Aug 12, 2025

There is a way forward for a two-state solution, if Palestinian leaders embrace the Abraham Accords

By Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi

By collaborating with regional partners and taking incremental steps within the framework of the Abraham Accords, the PA can move closer to realizing a Palestinian state.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

UkraineAlert

Aug 12, 2025

Sacrificing Ukraine will only increase the cost of stopping Putin’s Russia

By Pavlo Zhovnirenko

Pressuring Ukraine to accept a Kremlin-friendly settlement may succeed in pausing the current war, but it will not bring peace. On the contrary, it will set the stage for international instability on a far larger scale, writes Pavlo Zhovnirenko.

China Conflict

MENASource

Aug 11, 2025

The United Kingdom has joined C-SIPA. Who will be next?

By Cassidy McGoldrick

To fully realize the regional security architecture that the United States and Bahrain envision, policymakers will need to expand C-SIPA within the Middle East region.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Aug 8, 2025

Sweida’s humanitarian crisis presents a test for Syria’s transitional government and its global partners

By Diana Rayes 

Sweida is not an isolated tragedy—it is a litmus test for Syria's fragile political transition and for the international community’s resolve to respond to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Aug 8, 2025

Israel’s gamble in Gaza City signals a push toward negotiation—but risks a long insurgency

By Alex Plitsas

Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza City is aimed at ending its war with Hamas. But without careful planning, it risks starting a new conflict against a brewing insurgency.

Conflict Defense Policy

MENASource

Aug 7, 2025

Why Gaza’s post-Hamas future depends on its Arab neighbors—not just Israel

By Maayan Dagan

The international community is likely to support—both ideologically and financially—a local or Arab-led post-war solution for Gaza.

Conflict Middle East

Issue Brief

Aug 7, 2025

Regenerative farming in Iraq: Challenges, opportunities, and policy recommendations

By Sarkawt Shamsulddin

Despite the challenges and limitations in the current agricultural policies in Iraq, there are significant opportunities for policy intervention to promote regenerative agriculture.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

MENASource

Aug 5, 2025

Did the Israel-Iran war expose China’s Middle East policy?

By Andrea Ghiselli

The region’s importance in Beijing’s foreign policy is limited and, thus, not much energy and resources are invested in long-term planning.

China Iran

MENASource

Aug 4, 2025

What could NATO’s commercial space strategy mean for the Gulf?  

By Manal Fatima

The United States is well positioned to help extend NATO’s emerging commercial space ecosystem to the Gulf.

Europe & Eurasia Space

MENASource

Aug 1, 2025

Where does the Gulf stand on Russia’s recognition of the Taliban?

By Giorgio Cafiero

While maintaining close ties with the West, the GCC has increasingly strengthened its ties with Russia and China.

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy
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Experts

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

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Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Gavin Clough

2023-24 Senior US Navy Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Eastern Europe

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

R. Clarke Cooper

Distinguished fellow, Middle East Programs

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

Africa Defense Policy
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