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, and Mona Yacoubian 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

March 28, 2025

Signalgate Blows Up, Turkey in Crisis, Vance Visits Greenland

Video Series

World Review with Ivo Daalder

Steven Erlanger, Matt Kaminski, and Nahal Toosi join Ivo Daalder to discuss the week's top news stories.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth does a television interview outside the White House on March 21, 2025.

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

Defense and Security

March 28, 2025

What Signalgate Really Tells Us

In the News

Politico

Ivo H. Daalder

"Apparently, the US military is for hire, even if there has been no request for its services. And if you want us — you have to pay," Ivo Daalder writes.

The Signal app is shown on a mobile phone

Jeff Chiu / AP

US Foreign Policy

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Research

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.