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The latest pieces from MENASource:


MENASource

Jun 23, 2026

The Middle East’s greatest killer is not what you think

By
Daniel E. Zoughbie

When considering the forces claiming lives across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), minds inevitably turn to warfare and terrorism. Yet the region’s most prolific killer does not carry a weapon. Its methods are salt, sugar, and sitting. The numbers are staggering. Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 1.4 million people in the region every year; […]


Economy & Business


Middle East


MENASource

Jun 11, 2026

The Iran war is a game of liar’s poker

By
Khalid Azim

The central question has not simply been who possesses power, but who is willing to absorb pain, tolerate risk, and continue escalating when conventional logic suggests restraint.


Conflict


Iran


MENASource

Jun 4, 2026

تفتت الفصائل المسلحة العراقية بعد تحول النظام الإيراني من الثيوقراطية الى الجنتوقراطية

By
Munqith Dagher

كيف يؤثر تغيير القيادة في ايران على الميليشيات العراقية؟ د. منقذ داغر يبدو اننا بتنا ، بعد 28 فبراير 2026 ،امام نظام مختلف وظيفياً، بل وحتى هيكلياً عما عرفناه طوال السنوات السبعة وأربعين من عمر النظام الايراني. فقد اتسم نظام الحكم في ايران بنسخته الخمينية الأولى 1979-1989  بأحادية قطبية لا مكان فيها سوى للمرشد الأعلى(الخميني). […]


Arabic


Conflict

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

In the News

Feb 12, 2016

Hof Quoted by McClatchy on Role of the Nusra Front in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

Read the full article here.

Syria

Event Recap

Feb 12, 2016

Inside the Sieges: The Scope and Implications of Besieged Syria

By Rafik Hariri Center

On February 10, 2016 the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted a panel of distinguished experts for a discussion on “Inside the Sieges: The Scope and Implications of Besieged Syria.” Hariri Center Senior Fellow Faysal Itani was joined by Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Protection Officer Dr. Mohamed Katoub, The Syria […]

Syria

Economies In Transition

Feb 12, 2016

Unleashing the Middle East’s Economic Potential

By MENASource

As the Middle East and North Africa wrestle with a number of security and geopolitical challenges, subtle societal shifts–such as increased access to technology and a youth boom–can create an opportunity for economic revitalization in the region. As much as these energies can contribute to popular unrest, they can also lead to a technologically driven […]

Middle East

In the News

Feb 12, 2016

Middle East Strategy Task Force Visit to Tunisia Featured in Global Net

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

North Africa

In the News

Feb 12, 2016

Middle East Strategy Task Force Visit to Tunisia Featured in Tunisie14.tn

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

North Africa

In the News

Feb 12, 2016

Middle East Strategy Task Force Visit to Tunisia Featured in Babnet Tunisie

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

North Africa

In the News

Feb 12, 2016

Atlantic Council Middle East Strategy Task Force Visit to Tunisia Featured in Business News

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

North Africa

In the News

Feb 12, 2016

Middle East Strategy Task Force Visit to Tunisia Featured in Actualite

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

North Africa

SyriaSource

Feb 12, 2016

Military Conscription: A Tool to Strengthen the Baathist State

By Hasan Arfeh

On November 3, 2012, I took a cab headed to the Lebanese capital of Beirut. I carried a light bag in preparation of repetitive searches through numerous regime checkpoints. I fled Syria because the Syrian army had drafted me for service. I choose to flee my homeland instead of fighting my countrymen.

Syria

In the News

Feb 12, 2016

Slavin Hosts Voice of America Program Issues in the News to Discuss Munich Security Conference, Syria, Russia, and US Politics

By Barbara Slavin

Russia Syria

Experts