Atlantic Council Middle East Initiatives

Last Friday, the Atlantic Council launched Realign For Palestine, led by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, to redefine pro-Palestine advocacy by centering Palestinian voices that reject armed resistance narratives and extremist ideologies in favor of constructive solutions and hosted a panel discussion featuring Howidy Hamza, Kamal Mashharawi, and moderator Merissa Khurma. Check out highlights of the event below ??

Trump’s return of “maximum pressure” on #Iran comes at a time when the Iranian economy is already vulnerable as all of Iran’s crude oil exports go to a single buyer, #China. “Trump’s return to the presidency presents a historic opportunity to reset the United States’ approach to Iran. Oil markets are soft, and Iran is more vulnerable than it has been in decades. By turning off the taps, the United States can deliver a decisive blow to Iran’s ambitions and set the stage for a more stable and secure future,” explains Scott Modell. Read his take on how #Trump can escalate pressure on Iranian oil without causing harm to consumers or US allies.

The moral and political failure of the diasporic movement for Palestinian rights is only one of several obstacles to the Palestinian pursuit of freedom, but it is a particularly telling one. What Palestinian politics need, and grievously lack, is pragmatism. The conditions we now face are catastrophic. These realities mean that the time for maximalist demands and rhetoric is over.?Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib has spoken with thousands of Palestinians over the years who believe, as he does, in the viability of a pragmatic path to peace. Extremists on both sides ignore or suppress Palestinian voices, choosing instead to promote narrow interests with maximalist rhetoric. Learn more from our director in his latest article in The Atlantic. The time to?#RealignForPalestine?is now. Follow us for more on Palestinian pragmatism.

On Al-Ghad al-Arabi Thursday night talking about postwar Gaza.

On Friday, March 14, on Al-Jazeera talking about the upcoming negotiations in Doha on postwar Gaza.

The United States designation of the #Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization took effect on March 4 after almost more than a year of attacking western shipping vessels in the #RedSea. “This maritime strategy is part of the broader Russian-Iranian realignment that accelerated after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Moscow abandoned neutrality, aligning with Iran while strengthening military and intelligence ties with its proxies, aided by IRGC-supplied drones,” explains Fatima Abo Alasrar. Read her take on how the Houthis have grown their alignment with #Iran and #Russia amid their attacks in the Red Sea.

?? NEW ISSUE BRIEF: How the Middle East perceives China’s diplomatic engagement Jonathan Fulton argues that despite economic advancements and high-profile diplomatic engagements, China’s influence remains largely economic rather than political. Middle Eastern perceptions of China vary; it is seen as a cautious, transactional actor with limited capacity for addressing key regional conflicts and security concerns. Check out the full issue brief below: ??

?? Excepts React: “We will use overwhelming lethal force.” That’s how US President Donald Trump described a campaign of airstrikes he launched Saturday in Yemen against the Houthis. Our experts react to the new administration’s approach to Yemen and what it may signal for its strategy toward Iran.

I'm very proud that the Atlantic Council has launched Realign for Palestine, led by Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib. It aims to be a starting point for a new school of thought that is deeply pro-Palestine while also holding space for multiple truths, such as the rejection of violence, acknowledging the rights of Israelis to safety and security, the promotion of radical pragmatism, the rejuvenation of the Palestinian narrative, and the evolution of peace and reconciliation into courageous and admirable acts.? ? Realign For Palestine will convene a network of activists, scholars, journalists, and policymakers who will shape a new era of Palestinian advocacy that prioritizes state-building and coexistence. The network will engage with governments, NGOs, and multilateral organizations to advocate for policies that support Palestinian self-determination and security guarantees for Israel. The Atlantic Council champions working together with partners and allies to shape solutions to global challenges, and this is precisely the ethos that Realign For Palestine embraces. https://lnkd.in/ePDEg-Cs

With ongoing strikes on the Houthis, revisit this article by Yemeni minister Moammar Al-Eryani asking the US government in 2024 to address the root causes of the conflict in Yemen to avoid replicating previous historical mistakes.