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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Sep 23, 2025

A geography of protest: Inside the rise of Iran’s minority factor

By Mohammed A. Salih

From the death of Mahsa Jina Amini to the Twelve Day War, the ethnic question has emerged as a significant dimension of Iran’s politics.

Civil Society Iran

MENASource

Sep 23, 2025

Iran’s minorities and policy complexity: A look at two communities

By David Sklar

Iran plays a significant role in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Policymakers should develop a sober, accurate mapping of its population.

Civil Society Iran

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
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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

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Nov 5, 2018

Global Energy Center experts weigh in on Iran sanctions

By Global Energy Center

At 11:59 p.m. ET on November 4, the remaining sanctions on Iran’s energy, ship building, shipping, and banking sectors that had been lifted or waived under the JCPOA came back into full effect. Iran’s oil exports and revenue are a major part of the administration’s strategy to spur change in Iran on the part of […]

Americas Energy & Environment

MENASource

Nov 5, 2018

The end—or not—of Tunisia’s “Mut’ah”?

By Erin A. Neale

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi announced in September the official end to the alliance between Nidaa Tounes Ennahda that had been holding on since February 2015. Termed a “mut'ah”—a temporary marriage of traditional Shia origin—by Tunisia expert Dr. Monica Marks, it was a marriage of convenience between the two main parliamentary parties to preserve stability and to focus on counterterrorism, improving the economy, and government efficiency during the critical transitional period following the ousting of former President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

North Africa

Issue Brief

Nov 5, 2018

How Iran will cope with US sanctions

By Holly Dagres, Barbara Slavin

As a second and more punishing wave of US sanctions hits Iran, the Islamic Republic is dusting off an old playbook for circumventing such penalties and maintaining a crucial level of oil exports and other trade. A new issue brief by Holly Dagres and Barbara Slavin—How Iran Will Cope with US Sanctions—discusses the myriad techniques […]

Economic Sanctions Iran

Issue Brief

Nov 5, 2018

How Iran will cope with US sanctions

By Holly Dagres, Barbara Slavin

As a second and more punishing wave of US sanctions hits Iran, the Islamic Republic is dusting off an old playbook for circumventing such penalties and maintaining a crucial level of oil exports and other trade.

Economic Sanctions Iran

IranSource

Nov 5, 2018

A Marriage of Convenience Between Natural Gas Giants Iran and Russia

By Thang Q. Tran and Alan W. Lancaster

Iran’s substantial natural gas reserves provide Russia with a significant strategic opportunity to solidify its role in the international arena. Although US secondary sanctions against Iran’s petroleum sector resumed on November 5, Russia will most likely defy them by continuing to invest in Iran’s natural gas sector. Russia may also seek to influence the flow […]

Iran Russia

In the News

Nov 3, 2018

Dagres Joins BBC Radio 5 to Discuss Iran

By Holly Dagres

Listen to the full discussion here.

Iran

IranSource

Nov 2, 2018

A Look at the Implications of Reimposed US Sanctions on Iran

By Brian O'Toole

US President Donald J. Trump’s administration will reimpose sanctions on Iran’s central bank, oil sales, and shipping companies on November 5. These sanctions, the last of those the US lifted in 2016 as a consequence of the Iran nuclear deal, are likely to be coupled with new sanctions that are designed to achieve greater pressure than […]

Iran

In the News

Nov 2, 2018

Cohen in Newsweek: Will Trump Turn on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman?

By Ariel Cohen

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

Nov 2, 2018

Slavin Quoted by AFP on Iran Sanctions

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Nov 2, 2018

Nimmo Quoted in Quartz on Iranian Influence Campaign Targeting Indians on Twitter

By Ben Nimmo

Read the full article here.

Iran
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Alexandra Clare

CEO and Co-Founder, Re:Coded

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Europe & Eurasia

Millennium fellow

Ala’a Kolkaila

Belfer Center Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, Sloan Fellow - MBA'25, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Millennium Leadership Program

Economy & Business Middle East

Millennium fellow

Ahmad Sharara

Project Engineer, Consolidated Contractors Company

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Education

Fellow

Adel Hamaizia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

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Edward Brady

Military Fellowship Alumnus/Alumna

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Middle East

Staff

Emilia Pierce

Deputy Director, Operations and Finance

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Conflict
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