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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

New Atlanticist

Oct 17, 2024

Experts react: Yahya Sinwar is dead. Here’s what’s next for Hamas, Gaza, Israel, and the Middle East.

By Atlantic Council experts

Israel confirmed on Thursday that it had killed the Hamas leader. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on what this means for the immediate conflict and beyond.

Conflict Israel

MENASource

Oct 16, 2024

Vision 2030 has done wonders for women. But there’s still room to enhance their economic roles in Saudi Arabia.

By Beata Polok and Maha Akeel

Saudi Arabia’s progress under Vision 2030 is impressive, but the journey is not yet over.

Civil Society Economy & Business

MENASource

Oct 15, 2024

Beijing is making inroads in North Africa

By Jonathan Fulton

There has been serious momentum in China’s Maghreb relations in areas that indicate long-term regional ambitions. 

Economy & Business Middle East

In the News

Oct 12, 2024

Charai in the National Interest: The US and Israel’s Path to Supporting the Iranian People’s Aspirations

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos analyzes recent Israeli intelligence successes in Foreign Policy

On October 10, Foreign Policy published an op-ed co-authored by Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, David V. Gioe, and Elena Grossfeld, about the renaissance of Israel’s intelligence after the failure of October 7.

Intelligence Israel

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Michael Groen shares his thoughts on Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel and the possibility of an Israeli response on Bloomberg Businessweek

On October 2, [Retired/Former] US Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael Groen, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, spoke with the Bloomberg Businessweek podcast regarding Iran’s missile attack against Israel and Israel’s possible response.

Israel Lebanon

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos on NBC about the future of Iran’s ‘axis of resistence’

On September 30, Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at at Forward Defense, was quoted by NBC in an article analyzing the future of Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ after Israel’s significant blows to Hamas and Hezbollah. In his words, “The one concern we should have is a return to the old kind of terrorist game, soft […]

Intelligence Israel

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos joins AEI’s WTH Is Going On Podcast on Lebanon pager attacks

On September 23, Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, joined Danielle Pletka and Marc A. Thiessen on The American Enterprise Institute’s What The Hell Is Going On podcast to talk about the pager attacks Israel carried out against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Intelligence Israel

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos mentioned in YNET News about Hezbollah pager attacks

On September 21, YNET News, an Israeli media outlet, mentioned comments from Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, calling Hezbollah pager attacks as ” the most impressive kinetic operation I can recall in my career. Israeli intelligence is living in [Hasan] Nasrallah’s brain.” These comments were inserted in an article detailing reactions from […]

Intelligence Israel

In the News

Oct 11, 2024

Marc Polymeropoulos’ tweet about Hezbollah pager attacks mentioned in SpyTalk

On September 21, SpyTalk’s weekly roundabout on the latest news about intelligence, foreign policy, and military operations mentioned Marc Polymeropoulos, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, for his tweet calling Hezbollah pager attacks “most impressive denied area kinetic op I have witnessed in my career.” 

Intelligence Israel
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Experts

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

Staff

Allison Minor

Director, N7 Research Institute

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Elizabeth Shortino

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Christopher Aw

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Intelligence
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Events

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

The diplomats’ roundtable: Iran and Israel at war
Iran Israel Security & Defense