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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Jun 17, 2025

Why Hezbollah is unlikely to engage in the Israel-Iran war—for now

By David Daoud

As wave after wave of Israeli jets continue to strike Iran, Tehran’s proxy on Israel’s northern border remains quiet.

Iran Israel

MENASource

Jun 16, 2025

Twenty questions (and expert answers) on the Israel-Iran war

By Atlantic Council experts

The escalation between Israel and Iran has raised many important questions about a region already facing crises on multiple fronts.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jun 13, 2025

China’s basing quest in the Gulf: Pipe dream or strategic reality?

By Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco

While the Gulf remains central to China’s long-term maritime aspirations, its near-term military footprint is likely to stay limited.

China Maritime Security
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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

MENASource

Oct 29, 2024

Update: Israel claims it is no longer occupying the Gaza Strip. What does international law say?

By Celeste Kmiotek

On July 19, the International Court of Justice released an Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences Arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Territory, Including East Jerusalem.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Oct 29, 2024

Gaza is a war without end. American interests must be reassessed.

By Frederic C. Hof

Israel’s appraisal of what it faces and its actions concerning civilians make it difficult for Washington to uphold a key strategic partnership without suffering severe diplomatic reversals in the region and around the world.

Conflict Israel

Experts react

Oct 26, 2024

Experts react: Israel has hit back at Iran with airstrikes. Is this the road to war or an off-ramp?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts share their insights on what Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Iran could mean for the prospect of further Israeli-Iranian escalation.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Oct 25, 2024

Israel’s attack in Iran means full-scale war is closer than ever. Here’s what Iran is thinking now.

By Danny Citrinowicz  

Iran's leaders fear a full-scale war with Israel, but can they absorb this attack without retaliating and thus be exposed to future attacks?

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Oct 24, 2024

Iran targeted human rights sanctions series: Can children of Iranian officials be designated?

By Holly Dagres, Celeste Kmiotek, Lisandra Novo

Children of Iranian officials might be impacted by targeted human rights designations, but only through strict sanctions enforcement and investigation and only where there is political will.

Economic Sanctions Human Rights

MENASource

Oct 24, 2024

Tragic death of aid worker underscores Gaza’s postwar challenge

By Alicia Nieves

The international community has long been criticized for its inaction as Hamas gradually tightened its control over NGOs and civil institutions.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Oct 23, 2024

Balancing a culture of secrecy and collaboration: Information sharing with hostage families

By Liz Cathcart

US policies enshrine a requirement for intelligence sharing between the US government and hostage families.

China Conflict

Podcast

Oct 23, 2024

Sledgehammer: The Wagner cult in Syria

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 6 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi chats with defense researcher Jack Margolin about his new book on the Wagner Group. They focus on its operations in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the country’s central place within the Wagner subculture. They also discuss the ever-present profit motive […]

Conflict Crisis Management

Econographics

Oct 22, 2024

A crack in the BRICS: Iran’s economic challenges take center stage at Russia’s summit 

By Josh Lipsky, Alisha Chhangani

The reality is that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will show up to the BRICS leaders meeting and look for support across the BRICS not only in the military domain, but also for his country’s economy.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

Report

Oct 22, 2024

The economic and social costs of the war in Gaza

By Perrihan Al-Riffai

After a year of war, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighboring countries need a permanent ceasefire. But with development gains erased, billions of dollars in infrastructure damaged, and skyrocketing unemployment, the Middle East also urgently needs a solid reconstruction plan.

Conflict Israel
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Experts

Fellow

Dan Rothem

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Hebrew

Fellow

Rabah Arezki

Distinguished Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Samantha Sutton

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Israel

Fellow

Peter Mandaville

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Civil Society Freedom and Prosperity

Fellow

Tom Mancinelli

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Andrea Rigoni

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Digital Policy
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Events

Online Event Wed, June 18, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Diplomats Roundtable — assessing the Israel-Iran escalation
Iran Israel Security & Defense