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The latest pieces from MENASource:

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2025

Experts react: Trump just announced the removal of all US sanctions on Syria. What’s next? 

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts provide their insights on how the removal of US sanctions on Syria would affect the country and the wider region.

Civil Society Economic Sanctions

MENASource

May 12, 2025

Gazans fear famine amid Israel aid block: ‘I don’t want to be a number’

By Arwa Damon

For Palestinians, time is running out— a warning that has been echoed at some of the highest ranks of international organizations, including the World Health Organization.

Conflict Human Rights

MENASource

May 12, 2025

Landmark UAE visit highlights President Aoun’s catch twenty-two

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Modest outcomes from the Lebanese president’s visit reflects that Abu Dhabi remains cautious towards Beirut.

Lebanon 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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Event Recap

Apr 29, 2025

Wargaming the Middle East: How Iran might reshape its Hezbollah proxy playbook

By Maayan Dagan and Luke Wagner

In March 2025, the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council hosted a War Game to explore how Iran will shape the future of its proxy strategy, particularly its relationship with Hezbollah.

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Apr 28, 2025

Why Israel will resist any US-Iran nuclear deal

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Negotiations between the United States and Iran have displayed a significant divide between Washington and it’s ally Israel.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2025

In a normalization agreement with Israel, Saudi Arabia should settle for nothing less than Palestinian statehood

By Amir Asmar

Saudi Arabia should make full Palestinian statehood part of the asking price for normalizing relations with Israel.

International Norms Israel

MENASource

Apr 25, 2025

Will Pope Francis’s Middle East legacy endure?

By Karim Mezran

The late Pope's final address on Easter Sunday was a capstone in a track record of advocacy for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.

International Norms Middle East

MENASource

Apr 25, 2025

Geopolitics in orbit: What Gulf moonshots mean for Washington

By Isabella Torre

On a multipolar world stage with Russia and China power competition, it’s clear that space collaboration has all-too-earthly impacts.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Apr 25, 2025

One hundred days of Trump’s Middle East policy: money, mediation, and military force

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

President Trump’s desire for more investment in the United States plays to the strengths of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Middle East Political Reform

MENASource

Apr 24, 2025

Can Russia’s defense sector break through in the Gulf?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Despite speculation, the context is even less favorable today for the Russian defense industry to boom in the region than a decade ago.

Middle East Russia

MENASource

Apr 23, 2025

Gas diplomacy: A blueprint for Middle East peace and global energy security

By Luay al-Khatteeb

A US-Iran deal could serve as a turning point towards a wider strategy encompassing regional de-escalation and energy diplomacy.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Apr 18, 2025

The case for designating Iran-linked crime networks as FTOs

By Jason M. Brodsky

Trump has been creative in designating international gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. He should apply the same standard to those linked to Iran.

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 17, 2025

Trump can’t afford to simply revive Obama’s Iran nuclear deal

By Jonathan Panikoff

Trump is right to try to seek a deal before okaying military action against Iran. But unlike in 2015, time is almost up.

Iran Nuclear Deterrence
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Experts

Fellow

Mark Jacobsen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Entrepreneurship

Fellow

Scott Jerabek

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Technologies Iraq

Fellow

Khémaies Jhinaoui

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

Fellow

Marie Jourdain

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Africa English

Staff

Abbas Kadhim

Director, Iraq Initiative

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Iraq Middle East

Fellow

Simin Kargar

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

2025 Global Energy Forum

The ninth Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum will be held June 17 and 18 in Washington, DC.
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment