Middle East

Middle East

Stretching from the Western Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the Middle East continues to be a region struggling with violent conflict, political repression, and poor development. Numerous pro-democracy protest movements, a burgeoning youth population, and efforts to reform governments and lessen economic dependence on oil, however, are causes for optimism. The United States and the international community must remain engaged with the region to provide support for these positive moves and to address the many remaining challenges.

Explore

Stay Updated

The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

The Iran war has forced the US-Gulf alliance out of the shadows

By Eric Alter

The Iran war is testing whether the informal strategic system the United States has assembled with its Gulf partners and Israel is strong enough to hold up amid a regional conflict.

Defense Policy Iran

MENASource

Apr 20, 2026

‘They have been exposed’: The Iran war upends Gulf states’ security and business model

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

The Iran war threatens the sense of security, prosperity, and opportunity that the Gulf states have spent years cultivating as they seek to diversify their economies away from oil.

Critical Infrastructure Policy Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Apr 15, 2026

The Iran war is not about China

By Jonathan Fulton

China is behaving like a normal external power with interests in the region, not like a crisis manager shaping outcomes.

China Conflict
READ More from MENASOURCE

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.

Learn more

Content

MENASource

Jul 26, 2018

Prospects for peace in Yemen

By Zara Jayant

As the conflict in Yemen continues and the country’s humanitarian crisis deepens, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, is attempting to negotiate a ceasefire for the port of Hodeida, a vital port for bringing aid and food into the famine-struck country. Earlier this month, the Saudi-led coalition began attacking the port city in response […]

Yemen

SyriaSource

Jul 26, 2018

Here’s why Syrian women are integral to peace

By Tamara Alrifai and Rachel Dore-Weeks

Eight years and many conferences into the Syria conflict, Syrian women still struggle to have their voices heard in decision making forums that directly impact them as citizens, and as political, economic, and civil society actors. Syrian women present at the western male-dominated EU-UN conference, Supporting Syria and the Region—known as Brussels II—in April 2018, explicitly spoke to the political processes that failed to include them, and to an aid industry that did not address their needs, including in protection from violence. 

Syria

Rebuilding Syria

Jul 25, 2018

What Exactly is the US Policy Toward Iran?

By Faysal Itani

On July 22, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed an audience that included many members of the Iranian diaspora. The speech focused on the Iranian regime as a danger to its own people and to US interests—kleptocratic, terroristic, and totalitarian. The accusations were specific and the language was strong which could indicate a harsh […]

Syria

In the News

Jul 25, 2018

Shaffer Quoted in Oil Price on the Economic Impact of Iran’s Threats

By Brenda Shaffer

Read the full article here.

Iran

IranSource

Jul 25, 2018

What Exactly is the US Policy Toward Iran?

By Faysal Itani

On July 22, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed an audience that included many members of the Iranian diaspora. The speech focused on the Iranian regime as a danger to its own people and to US interests—kleptocratic, terroristic, and totalitarian. The accusations were specific and the language was strong which could indicate a harsh […]

Iran Syria

In the News

Jul 24, 2018

Dagres Quoted in the Independent on Trump’s Policy on Iran

By Holly Dagres

Read the full article here.

Iran

In the News

Jul 24, 2018

Slavin Quoted in VOA on Trump’s Threat to Iran

By Barbara Slavin

Read the full article here.

Iran

SyriaSource

Jul 24, 2018

The fractured relationship of the Alawite community and Assad regime

By Saleem al-Omar

The Alawite community, a Muslim sect from which the Assad family originates, has long been a major support base for both Hafez and Bashar al-Assad. Current estimates of the Alawite population place the group around 10 percent of the 22 million population. The regime historically favored Alawites giving them military and security positions within the […]

Syria

IranSource

Jul 24, 2018

Trump’s Twitter War Unites Iranian Factions and Bolsters Rouhani

By Holly Dagres

As is so often the case with the current occupant of the White House, a presidential tweet muddied the message of the rest of the Trump administration. Iranians had been focusing on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s “Supporting Iranian Voices” event at the California-based Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library. But shortly after Pompeo finished […]

Iran

In the News

Jul 24, 2018

Charai in The Hill: Global ambivalence about Trump’s foreign policies sends clear message to the White House

By Atlantic Council

Africa International Norms
Load More

Experts

Millennium fellow

Tim Carlton Jones

Head of International Affairs, UK, Edelman

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Middle East

Staff

Elina Carpen

Associate Director

Global Energy Center

Americas Energy & Environment

Board director

Ahmed Charai

Board Member

International Norms Media

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity
Load More

Events

Public Event Wed, May 13, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The 2026 Iraq Dialogue
Geopolitics & Energy Security Iraq Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals