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

Corporate Roundtable on the Geopolitical Implications of US Strikes on Iran

Virtual 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.

The sun sets behind a plume of smoke rising after a US–Israeli military strike in Tehran, Iran.

Vahid Salemi / AP

Mar

View all Upcoming Events related to Middle East and North Africa

Past Events

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 Central Command / AP

US-Iran Nuclear Tensions: What Is at Stake and What Comes Next?

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Rapid Response

A live stream with Suzanne Maloney and Vali Nasr on escalating US-Iran nuclear talks and US President Donald Trump’s threat of an imminent US strike.

Feb 24

Seaman Daniel Kimmelman / US Navy via AP

View all Past Events related to Middle East and North Africa

Commentary

March 9, 2026

Iran Conflict Could Test NATO Commitments

In the News

Bloomberg

Julianne Smith

"This is already a relationship that's really encountered some turbulence in recent months," Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow Ambassador Julianne Smith says of the transatlantic alliance. "Adding this Iran war now into the mix is only creating added friction."

US Foreign Policy

March 8, 2026

How the Iran War Is Testing the US-UK Relationship

In the News

Sky News

Leslie Vinjamuri

"President Trump has made it extraordinarily difficult to be a partner or an ally of the United States in this moment," Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri tells Sky News.

US Foreign Policy

View all Middle East and North Africa Commentary

Research

March 3, 2026

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

October 7, 2025

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.