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
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.
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.
Related program
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.
Content
Experts
Executive Leadership Intensive participant
Chama Mechtaly
Co-Founder, The Emma Lazarus Institute for Liberty and Tolerance
