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.

Content

In the News

Feb 8, 2026

Rich Outzen joins ILTV to discuss Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C.

Israel Middle East

Econographics

Feb 6, 2026

Iran can still normalize its economy—but the path will be painful and slow

By Bart Piasecki

Iran’s inflation crisis is driven by persistent exchange‑rate instability, entrenched fiscal dominance, and international sanctions. Despite these structural challenges, there remains a clear—but difficult—path toward economic normalization.

Dollar Dominance Economy & Business

MENASource

Feb 5, 2026

How Iran’s water bankruptcy seeped into the protest movement

By Nik Kowsar

Many of Iran's protest hubs overlap with areas where severe water shortages in recent years have made life increasingly difficult for people.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

MENASource

Feb 5, 2026

How Israeli technology could help solve Iran’s water crisis

By Joseph Epstein and Dalga Khatinoglu

Iran faces a stark choice: find ways to access the world's most advanced water technologies, or continue toward a crisis.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

MENASource

Feb 5, 2026

Washington’s UNRWA report shows how public discourse is divorced from reality

By Melanie Robbins 

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees has become a proxy theater for unresolved political questions.

Education International Organizations

In the News

Feb 5, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Yemen Is Not a Gulf Rivalry—It Is a Test of Whether Extremism Can Be Contained

By Atlantic Council

Extremism Middle East

In the News

Feb 4, 2026

Gray on Fox News on escalating US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

On January 9, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, was interviewed on "Fox and Friends First" about escalating tensions between the US and Iran.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 4, 2026

Gray on Fox Business Network on Iran

By Atlantic Council

On February 2, Alexander B. Gray, a GeoStrategy Initiative nonresident senior fellow, was interviewed on Fox Business Network about US actions in Iran and how they fit Trump's broader strategic ambitions.

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Feb 3, 2026

Why the Muslim Brotherhood is staying calm amid crackdowns in Jordan

By Aaron Magid

Despite widespread popularity, the Islamist faction did not organize large-scale protests, lowered its media profile, and avoided attacks.

Extremism Intelligence

Dispatches

Feb 3, 2026

Why the Trump administration is refusing to accept a third term for Iraq’s Nouri al-Maliki

By Rend Al-Rahim, Victoria J. Taylor 

That the United States would seek to block Maliki from a third term as prime minister is unsurprising given the disastrous record of his premiership from 2006 to 2014.

Elections Iraq

Experts

Events