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.

Upcoming Events

The Middle East in Transition

Hybrid EVENT

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.

People participate in a rally in the town of Majdal Shams, close to the Syrian border, demanding Israel return the annexed Golan Heights to Syria on February 14, 2025.

Ohad Zwigenberg / AP

May

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Past Events

A Conversation with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Greece Defense Minister Nikos Dendias discusses the country’s expanding strategic role.

Jan 24

Endy Zemenides and Nikos Dendias on the Council's stage.

Ana Miyares Photography

Rebuilding Syria

PAST EVENT VIDEO

A conversation on the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding Syria after a decade of civil war.

Jan 16

Alisa Bhachu, Zaher Sahloul, and Suzanne Akhras speak onstage at the Chicago Council Conference Center.

Ana Miyares Photography

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Commentary & Analysis

April 25, 2025

Ukraine Plan, Kashmir Crisis, Pentagon Chaos

Video Series

World Review with Ivo Daalder

Ravi Agrawal, Steven Erlanger, and Carla Anne Robbins join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (center) speaks during a Pentagon meeting on April 24, 2025.

Kevin Wolf / AP

Global Politics

April 21, 2025

Trump May Get a Nuclear Deal—on Iran’s Terms

In the News

Politico Europe

Ivo H. Daalder

Given Tehran’s weakened state and Washington’s eagerness for a deal, success is possible. However, it’s more likely to resemble the 2015 one Trump abandoned.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi (center) visits an exhibition of Iran's nuclear achievements, in Tehran, Iran on April 17, 2025.

ATOMIC ENERGY ORGANIZATION OF IRAN / AP

Defense and Security

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Research

April 14, 2025

Plurality of Russians Support Military Withdrawal from Syria

RESEARCH

Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

After a decade of involvement in Syria, some Russians are eager to withdraw their forces from the country.

Syrian fighters watch Russian armoured vehicles driving past near the Hmeimim Air Base

Leo Correa / AP

Public Opinion

November 25, 2024

US Opinion Leaders Deeply Divided on Israel-Gaza War

RESEARCH

Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

When it comes to the conflict in the Middle East, American foreign policy professionals are more divided along partisan lines than the general public.