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

Tehran's Tactics: Iran, Its Proxies, and US Middle East Policy

Hybrid EVENT
Election 2024

Join us for a discussion on how the presidential election may shape US policy toward Iran and the broader Middle East.

Register Today
People walk past an anti-U.S. mural painted on the wall of the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran on August 19, 2023.
Vahid Salemi / AP
Oct
9
View all Upcoming Events related to Middle East and North Africa

Past Events

Human Rights and the Future of Afghanistan

PAST EVENT

Join UChicago's International House and the Chicago Council for a conversation with Nader Nadery on the future of human rights in Afghanistan.

Oct 24
A Taliban fighter stands in the road during a celebration marking the second anniversary of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan
AP Photos

Ambassador Dina Kawar on Jordan-US Relations

PAST EVENT

Ambassador Dina Kawar discusses the relationship between Jordan and the United States, as well as Jordan’s role in regional security.

Mar 9
President Biden shakes hands with Jordan's King Abdullah II.
Reuters
View all Past Events related to Middle East and North Africa

Commentary & Analysis

UK Riots, Bangladesh Crisis, Escalation in the Middle East

Video Series
World Review with Ivo Daalder

Anton La Guardia, David Luhnow, and Nahal Toosi join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

Protestors in Britain
Alberto Pezzali / AP
Global Politics

Poll: Most Americans Don't Want to Send Troops to Defend Israel

In the News
Responsible Statecraft
Dina Smeltz

Council polling finds the lowest level of support in recent years—from both political parties

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meet at the Pentagon
Susan Walsh / AP
Public Opinion
View all Middle East and North Africa Commentary & Analysis

Research

Majority of Americans Oppose Sending US Forces to Defend Israel if Attacked by Iran

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Dina Smeltz

Whether attacked by its neighbors or Tehran, majorities of Americans oppose using US troops to come to Israel’s defense.

Protesters carry Iranian and Palestinian flags, while an image of the Israeli flag is painted on the ground
Vahid Salemi / AP
Public Opinion

Israel's War in Gaza: Partisan, Racial, and Generational Views on the US Role in the Conflict

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

Majorities across all racial groups prefer that the United States remain impartial as fighting between Israel and Hamas continues.

Israeli soldiers walk in the southern Gaza Strip
Ohad Zwigenberg / AP
US Foreign Policy
View all Middle East and North Africa Research

Experts

Saeid Golkar 

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

Sibel Oktay 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Headshot for Sibel Oktay
Expertise
Europe
Middle East and North Africa
Public Opinion
Global Politics
Social Media
View all Middle East and North Africa Experts