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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.

Upcoming Events

Inside Iran: How the War May Shape the Country's Political Future

Hybrid EVENT

Richard Nephew, Dafna Rand, and Ariane Tabatabai examine what the war in Iran means for the country's people, its civil society, and its political future.

Register Today
Photograph of Iran Flag
Vahid Salemi / AP
Jul
1

Strait Talk: Lessons from Hormuz with Samir Saran

In-Person EVENT

Observer Research Foundation President Samir Saran joins the Council for a private roundtable discussion on the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Strait of Hormuz
Amirhosein Khorgooi / ISNA
Jul
8
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Past Events

Corporate Roundtable on the Geopolitical Implications of US Strikes on Iran

PAST EVENT
Corporate Leadership Conversations

Former US Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks on the strategic risks and potential consequences of the United States’ recent strikes on Iran.

Mar 17
The sun sets behind a plume of smoke rising after a US–Israeli military strike in Tehran, Iran.
Vahid Salemi / AP

After US-Israel Strikes: What Comes Next for Iran and the Region?

PAST EVENT VIDEO
Rapid Response

A live stream with Lisa Anderson, Daniel Byman, and Leslie Vinjamuri on the emerging developments following the joint US-Israel coordinated strikes on Iran.

Mar 2
US Missile Strike
US Central Command / AP
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Commentary

Deep Dish Live: David Sanger on Trump's Phone Call, Iran Deal, and What Comes Next

Podcast
Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

President Trump called NYT’s David Sanger directly to talk about the Iran deal. He shares with us what he learned from those conversations and what he's watching next.

David Sanger
Ana Miyares Photography
US Foreign Policy

Saudi Arabi and the US: A Marriage of Convenience Under Strain

In the News
ABC Radio National
Rachel Bronson

Lester Crown Senior Nonresident Fellow Rachel Bronson joins the Rear Vision podcast to unpack the highs and lows of US-Saudi relations.

American and Saudi Arabia flags
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
US Foreign Policy
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Research

Americans Say the Iran War Is Bad for the United States

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

But Republicans stand in stark contrast, favoring the Trump administration’s actions in Iran.

A man waves an Iranian flag under a billboard with graphic showing Strait of Hormuz and sewn lips of USPresident Donald Trump
Vahid Salemi / AP
Public Opinion

Majority of Americans Say Congress' Approval Needed for US Strikes in Iran

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

While few Americans want to see Iran develop a nuclear weapon, just half expressed support for US airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities—and most believe direct military action would spark a broader regional war.

Plumes of smoke from two simultaneous strikes rise over Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Ganji / AP
US Foreign Policy
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Experts

Rachel Bronson 

Lester Crown Senior Nonresident Fellow, Energy and Geopolitics, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Photo of Rachel Bronson
Expertise
Middle East and North Africa
Defense and Security
US Foreign Policy

Lama El Baz 

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