Regions

Middle East and North Africa

Content covering countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Yemen, and more.

Past Events

World Review Live: Gaza Chaos, Rubio’s Rise, Iran Deal or Strike

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Carla Anne Robbins, Nahal Toosi, and Karen DeYoung join Ivo Daalder for a special live recording of the farewell episode of the "World Review with Ivo Daalder" podcast.

May 30
Marco Rubio listens during a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Capitol Hill on May 21, 2025.
Mark Schiefelbein / AP

The Middle East in Transition

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Aaron David Miller, David Schenker, Mona Yacoubian, and Ivo Daalder analyze how conflicts and power shifts are reshaping the Middle East and the roles of key regional players.

May 13
Ivo Daalder, Mona Yacoubian, David Schenker on the Council stage
Ana Miyares Photography
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Commentary & Analysis

Unpacking Israel’s Attack on Iran

In the News
Fox 32 Chicago
Cécile Shea

"I suspect that Israel, like a lot of other countries, just decided that [Iran's nuclear] program was moving ahead too quickly," Cécile Shea says.

Cecile Shea joins Fox 32 Chicago via video Defense and Security

Trump’s Middle East Trip Was Quietly About Resetting US Regional Policy

In the News
World Politics Review
Paul Poast

Besides making business deals and accepting lavish gifts, Trump also promised a reset in US-Middle East relations, Paul Poast writes.

President Donald Trump and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan talk during a welcome ceremony at Abu Dhabi International Airport
Altaf Qadri / AP
US Foreign Policy
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Research

Americans Grow More Divided on US Support for Israel

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

Republicans support US backing for Israel until its military objectives in Gaza are achieved, while majorities of Democrats now oppose it.

Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip
Jehad Alshrafi / AP
Public Opinion

Just Half of Americans Support Airstrikes Against Houthis

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

To address the Red Sea attacks, Americans would rather use economic sanctions to force the Houthis (and Iran) to concede the waters.

A fighter jet lands on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea
Bernat Armangue / AP
Public Opinion
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Experts

Lama El Baz 

Research Assistant, Public Opinion and US Foreign Policy
headshot of Lama El Baz
Expertise
Middle East and North Africa
Public Opinion
US Foreign Policy
Contact
Send a Message or Question
Social Media

Saeid Golkar 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Iran Policy
Council expert Saeid Golkar
Expertise
Middle East and North Africa
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