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MENASource

Sep 24, 2025

Is a new era of Turkey-Syria economic engagement on the horizon?

By Ömer Özkizilcik and Levent Kemal

The convergence of Turkey’s and the Gulf’s economic strategies in Syria presents an opportunity for Washington.

Democratic Transitions Middle East

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
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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 13, 2018

Yemen: End this abomination now

By Frederic C. Hof

For the past seven years, this writer has viewed the Syrian uprising largely through the lens of civilian protection, because civilian slaughter has defined the conflict and dictated its dire political consequences. Although one may ascribe vastly different motives to the President of Syria on the one hand and the leaders of Saudi Arabia and […]

The Gulf Yemen

IranSource

Aug 13, 2018

As Sanctions Return, India Caught between Iran and the United States

By Fatemeh Aman

As the first set of US sanctions against Iran went back into effect Aug. 7, India is applying its negotiations skills—effectively, so far—toward managing relations with both sides.  The United States and its Persian Gulf Arab allies may be able to provide India with enough crude to offset any reduction in India’s oil imports from […]

India Iran

In the News

Aug 12, 2018

Wald in Forbes: Instead of Tesla, Saudi Arabia Should Invest in Battery Tech

By Ellen Wald

Read the full article here

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Aug 10, 2018

What are the implications of expanded Chinese investment in the MENA region?

By Aisha Han and Rachel Rossi

China’s overall strategy to increase its role in world affairs indicates further engagement in its global investments in Asia, Africa, and beyond. It holds the most foreign reserve assets in Asia and is the largest trading partner in Africa. However, China is also continuing to diversify its portfolio by adding investments in the Middle East […]

China Middle East

New Atlanticist

Aug 10, 2018

Trump’s Iran Sanctions Are Back: Will They Work?

By Brian O'Toole

On Monday, US President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order detailing the framework for re-imposing sanctions on Iran, which were lifted under the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) nuclear deal, with the goal of getting Iran back to the table to negotiate a deal covering not just Iran’s nuclear weapons program, but also […]

Iran

IranSource

Aug 10, 2018

How US Sanctions Impede the Women’s Movement in Iran

By Sussan Tahmasebi

While the world’s attention was on US President Donald Trump’s Twitter war with Tehran the other week, some good news in Iran escaped notice. A group of women’s rights activists arrested in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on International Women’s Day were acquitted, after initially being charged for planning and participating […]

Iran

In the News

Aug 9, 2018

Handjani Quoted in Bloomberg on Iran’s Economy After US Sanctions

By Amir Handjani

Read the full article here.

Iran

IranSource

Aug 9, 2018

Iran’s Turbulent Future

By Nader Uskowi

The news coming out of Iran these days tells the story of a country in crisis. The economy is sliding towards collapse, even before the first round of US sanctions were reinstated on August 6. Nationwide protests are calling for regime change—a dirty word in Tehran up until recently. The Iranian government and its military […]

Iran

New Atlanticist

Aug 9, 2018

The Saudi Arabia-Canada Feud, Explained

By David Wemer

Saudi Arabia and Canada have found themselves in the middle of a diplomatic crisis, which threatens to end all diplomatic and economic contacts between the two countries. Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian Ambassador in Riyadh on August 6, after Canada’s Foreign Minister, Chrystia Freeland, called for the release of Saudi human rights activist Samar Badawi […]

Saudi Arabia United States and Canada

IranSource

Aug 9, 2018

Is Syria Lost to Iran?

By Frederic C. Hof

The short answer is “No.” A family and an entourage that placed itself at the disposal of Iran while burning much of Syria to the ground will not prevail, provided the United States and its partners begin to push back. Yet termites are at work, and the fulfillment of this proviso is far from certain. […]

Iran Syria
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Itai Melchior

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Nic Adams

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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Energy & Environment Middle East

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Rend Al-Rahim

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions
Josh Kirshner is a nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

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Josh Kirshner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control Defense Policy

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Robert Fardi

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Economy & Business Israel

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Mark Mowrey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

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