Featured commentary & analysis


Counterterrorism Study Group

The Counterterrorism Study Group is a forum for former counterterrorism officials to review the latest threats, to understand emerging trends and future predictions, and to explore creative new proposals for improving the effectiveness of current policies and operations.


Podcast series

Listen to the latest episode of the China-MENA podcast, featuring conversations with academics, government leaders, and the policy community on China’s role in the Middle East.


Gulf Security Task Force

The Gulf Security Task Force is revisiting the question of how to best protect US interests in this sensitive, always relevant region. Our goal is to provide US decision-makers with an updated, fact-based strategy for protecting US interests in the air and maritime domain from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, and ensuring Gulf partners’ ability to assume this responsibility, with the assistance and leadership of the United States.

Content

In the News

Jun 14, 2021

Wechsler quoted in Inside Arabia on the Abraham Accords

By Atlantic Council

Israel
Middle East

In the News

Jun 9, 2021

Slavin quoted in Tehran Times on how reviving the JCPOA can cool tensions in West Asia

By Atlantic Council

Elections
Iran

In the News

May 27, 2021

Ahmad quoted in Gulf News on how the ‘Afghanistan pavilion will herald new dawn for country at Expo 2020 Dubai’

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan
Economy & Business

MENASource

May 10, 2021

Want resiliency in MENA? Invest in women-led startups

By Nadereh Chamlou

As MENA assesses how to rebuild better after the pandemic, women-led startups could be part of the solution.

Economy & Business
Middle East

Inflection Points

May 9, 2021

Four Mideast signs of change offer historic opportunity. Here’s how Biden can build on them.

By Frederick Kempe

A positive series of loosely connected events across the Middle East offers the best opportunity in memory for reducing tensions, ending conflict, building economic progress, and advancing regional integration.

Iran
Israel

New Atlanticist

Apr 29, 2021

Adding an Ishmael Track to the Abraham Accords: How to pursue détente between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Most Middle East observers thought that they would never see normalization between Arabs and Israelis in their lifetimes. Now that we have seen this step taken—this chasm jumped—there is no reason not to envision Arab-Iranian normalization if the regimes prioritize long-term national interests like their economies, their self-sufficiency, and the future well-being of their publics. This roadmap is theirs for the taking.

Iran
Politics & Diplomacy

Press Release

Apr 26, 2021

Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation partner to launch Abraham Dialogues

New project will build on normalization agreements to foster sustainable ties between Israel and Arab neighbors

Israel
Middle East

New Atlanticist

Apr 25, 2021

Climate diplomacy can help turn action into results: UAE minister

By Larry Luxner

Al Jaber, the United Arab Emirates’ minister of industry and advanced technology, reflected on the connection between climate partnerships and economic results.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

MENASource

Apr 22, 2021

The Middle East needs a Levant-North African Environmental Forum

By Ariel Ezrahi

Political borders will continue to exist and limit what can and cannot be done across such borders. However, there needs to be less thinking on national terms and more on local and regional terms when combating climate change.

Energy & Environment
Middle East

In the News

Apr 21, 2021

Khoury in the Arab Center: “Yemen’s Critical Moment”

Middle East
Politics & Diplomacy

Experts