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.

Past Events

Strait Talk: Lessons from Hormuz with Samir Saran

PAST EVENT

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

Jul 8

Amirhosein Khorgooi / ISNA

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

PAST EVENT VIDEO

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.

Jul 1

Ana Miyares Photography

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Commentary

July 18, 2026

The Shortcomings of US Transactionalism

Analysis

by Leslie Vinjamuri

America’s treatment of its allies is creating a gap that others will fill.

President Donald Trump walks through blue curtains

Alex Brandon / AP

US Foreign Policy

July 15, 2026

‘Iran Is Turning to Old Tactics and the US Is Taking the Bait'

In the News

CNN

Leslie Vinjamuri

Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri speaks with Christiane Amanpour about what options are on the table as the US-Iran ceasefire crumbles.

US Foreign Policy

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Research

May 12, 2026

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

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.