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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.

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

Who Should Govern the Strait of Hormuz? 

Analysis
by Leslie Vinjamuri

A European-led international mission and the Gulf Cooperation Council are trying to determine who will guarantee openness and stability in the strait once the Iran war ends—and how.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrive at the Elysee Palace for a conference on the initiative for maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in Paris, Friday April 17, 2026
Jeanne Accorsini / Pool Photo via AP
Global Politics

How the Iran War Confirmed, Contradicted, and Complicated US Policy

In the News
Council on Foreign Relations
Ariane Tabatabai

"Much of what has occurred over the last month was forecasted in scenarios that have been tested and re-tested for decades," Council Vice President of Research and Senior Fellow Ariane Tabatabai and Elisa Ewers write.

A US flag is seen through the flag of Iran
Ryan Murphy / AP
US Foreign Policy
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Research

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

Democrats and Republicans Grapple with Internal Divisions on Israel

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Lama El Baz

As the war in Gaza continues, rifts between progressive and moderate Democrats are deepening—and cracks within the Republican Party are also beginning to show.

a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags
Oded Balilty / AP
Public Opinion
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Experts

Rachel Bronson 

Lester Crown Senior Nonresident Fellow, Energy and Geopolitics, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
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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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