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.

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The latest pieces from MENASource:

MENASource

May 4, 2026

Syria needs a trustworthy digital ecosystem to support its revival

By Nadia Farra

Robust digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity are no longer luxuries for high-income nations but fundamental requirements for national stability and economic resilience.

Freedom and Prosperity Inclusive Growth

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
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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

Feb 27, 2018

Yemen: What dreams may come

By Dr. Nabeel Khoury

As early as 2007, while serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US embassy from 2004-2007, I argued that the central government needed to pay attention to legitimate grievances to prevent constant warfare in the north and a potential secession of the south. At the time, the late president Ali Abdullah Saleh prohibited foreign […]

Yemen

SyriaSource

Feb 26, 2018

Eastern Ghouta: Will Resolution 2401 Stop the Slaughter?

By Frederic C. Hof

The unanimous vote in the UN Security Council for a well-meaning resolution demanding “a durable humanitarian pause for at least thirty consecutive days throughout Syria” may turn out, for the besieged 400,000 souls in Eastern Ghouta, to be the emptiest of gestures. It lacks an enforcement mechanism and contains a loophole all-but-inviting ongoing mass homicide. […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 26, 2018

Hof Joins WBUR to Discuss Syria’s Long-Running War

By Frederic C. Hof

Listen to the full discussion here

Syria

In the News

Feb 26, 2018

Farkas in The Atlantic: Russia Is Abetting Mass Murder in Syria

By Evelyn Farkas

Read the full article here

Russia Syria

In the News

Feb 26, 2018

Farkas in The Atlantic: Russia Is Abetting Mass Murder in Syria

By Evelyn Farkas

Read the full article here

Russia Syria

Past events

Feb 26, 2018

The Logic of American Nuclear Strategy
Arms Control China

SyriaSource

Feb 26, 2018

Assad Determined to Destroy What’s Left of Syria: The Continued Bombardment of Eastern Ghouta

By Natasha Hall

Four-year old Elias sits on the ground in a basement about 200 square meters with nearly 300 other people. He is playing with keys. He pretends that they are rockets falling and sprays imaginary shrapnel everywhere. His father tells me that he is a child and “his war games are already inspired by his reality.” […]

Syria

In the News

Feb 25, 2018

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Iran Wants Return on Investments From Syria, Well… Just Like Russia

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 25, 2018

Alfoneh in The Arab Weekly: Tehran’s Paranoia Breeds New, Strange Spy Cases

By Ali Alfoneh

Read the full article here

Iran

In the News

Feb 25, 2018

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: Egypt’s Natural Gas Reaches New Highs, But Cyprus?

By Charles Ellinas

Read the full article here

North Africa
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Wardah Khalid

Senior Policy Adviser, Office of Refugee Resettlement, US Department of Health and Human Services

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Human Rights

Fellow

Yousuf Syed Khan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Len Khodorkovsky

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic English

Fellow

Inwook Kim

Nonresident Fellow

empowerME Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Geopolitics & Energy Security
Josh Kirshner is a nonresident senior fellow in the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

Fellow

Josh Kirshner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control Defense Policy

Fellow

Mark Klamberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English European Union
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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