MENA Outlook for 2025
Council Views

Afkar

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How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies?
Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Analysis Paper

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With the Axis of Resistance in Retreat,
How Will the Iranian People Respond?

Afkar

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Recent
Publications

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December 23, 2024
Analysis Paper -
How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Concerns about corruption have been at the center of public dissatisfaction over the quality of governance in many Arab countries. Anger over bureaucratic indifference and malfeasance was one of the main drivers behind the Arab Spring in 2010 and 2011. In 2019, corruption concerns animated the unrest in Lebanon, Iraq and Sudan. Polling data from… Continue reading How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

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December 11, 2024
Issue Brief -
The Gulf and the Horn of Africa: Investing in Security

The Horn of Africa (HoA) and the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) share a long history of commercial, cultural, religious, and security ties. In recent years, relations between both witnessed consequential developments, primarily within the security and economic realms. These domains have grown to hold an important role in ties between both regions due to the global strategic importance of the Red Sea, a vital maritime route.

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December 10, 2024
Affiliated Publication -
Asia & the Middle East Beyond Energy: Towards Security and Defense Cooperation

Introduction The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East has long been shaped by the interests of major global powers. Traditionally, Western powers, particularly the United States and a number of European countries, have played dominant roles in the region’s defense frameworks and security architecture. However, recent years have seen a notable shift in this dynamic,… Continue reading Asia & the Middle East Beyond Energy: Towards Security and Defense Cooperation

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December 23, 2024
Analysis Paper -
How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Concerns about corruption have been at the center of public dissatisfaction over the quality of governance in many Arab countries. Anger over bureaucratic indifference and malfeasance was one of the main drivers behind the Arab Spring in 2010 and 2011. In 2019, corruption concerns animated the unrest in Lebanon, Iraq and Sudan. Polling data from… Continue reading How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

learn more
December 23, 2024
Analysis Paper -
How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Concerns about corruption have been at the center of public dissatisfaction over the quality of governance in many Arab countries. Anger over bureaucratic indifference and malfeasance was one of the main drivers behind the Arab Spring in 2010 and 2011. In 2019, corruption concerns animated the unrest in Lebanon, Iraq and Sudan. Polling data from… Continue reading How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

learn more
December 23, 2024
Analysis Paper -
How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Concerns about corruption have been at the center of public dissatisfaction over the quality of governance in many Arab countries. Anger over bureaucratic indifference and malfeasance was one of the main drivers behind the Arab Spring in 2010 and 2011. In 2019, corruption concerns animated the unrest in Lebanon, Iraq and Sudan. Polling data from… Continue reading How Effective Are Arab Anticorruption Agencies? Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

learn more
December 11, 2024
Issue Brief -
The Gulf and the Horn of Africa: Investing in Security

The Horn of Africa (HoA) and the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) share a long history of commercial, cultural, religious, and security ties. In recent years, relations between both witnessed consequential developments, primarily within the security and economic realms. These domains have grown to hold an important role in ties between both regions due to the global strategic importance of the Red Sea, a vital maritime route.

learn more

Events

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15 January 2025
upcoming event 4:00 pm AST - 5:15 pm AST
Building a New Syria After the Assad Regime
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9 December 2024
past event 9:00 am GMT - 5:30 pm GMT
Palestine’s Path Forward: Operationalizing Vehicles of Accountability
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7 December 2024
past event 3:30 pm GMT - 4:15 pm GMT
From Challenges to Change: Enhancing Global South Health through Collaboration
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15 January 2025
4:00 pm AST - 5:15 pm AST

Building a New Syria After the Assad Regime

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09 December 2024
past event 9:00 am GMT - 5:30 pm GMT

Palestine’s Path Forward: Operationalizing Vehicles of Accountability

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07 December 2024
past event 3:30 pm GMT - 4:15 pm GMT

From Challenges to Change: Enhancing Global South Health through Collaboration

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Afkar

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January 13, 2025
MENA Outlook for 2025

With the December collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, 2024 came to a close in a dramatic and region-altering fashion. This, along with the numerous other major trend lines and points of conflict, likely makes 2025 a year that will be significant in reshaping the region’s future. Looking forward to what may be coming,… Continue reading MENA Outlook for 2025

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January 12, 2025
With the Axis of Resistance in Retreat, How Will the Iranian People Respond?

Iran’s regional policy is on the backfoot. Years of patronage and investment in the “Axis of Resistance,” a network of friendly actors that share Iran’s hostility toward U.S. hegemony in the Middle East, has unraveled in a short period of time and caught the Iranian regime off guard. While Iran’s leadership scrambles for a response,… Continue reading With the Axis of Resistance in Retreat, How Will the Iranian People Respond?

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December 30, 2024
Regional Economy Faces Plenty of Challenges—and Reasons for Hope—in 2025

Despite the turmoil rocking the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), there may be some glimmers of hope for the region’s economies in 2025. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are both projecting an uptick in growth in most MENA economies. However, structural challenges, political instability, and geopolitical tensions will continue to… Continue reading Regional Economy Faces Plenty of Challenges—and Reasons for Hope—in 2025

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January 13, 2025
MENA Outlook for 2025

With the December collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, 2024 came to a close in a dramatic and region-altering fashion. This, along with the numerous other major trend lines and points of conflict, likely makes 2025 a year that will be significant in reshaping the region’s future. Looking forward to what may be coming,… Continue reading MENA Outlook for 2025

learn more
January 12, 2025
With the Axis of Resistance in Retreat, How Will the Iranian People Respond?

Iran’s regional policy is on the backfoot. Years of patronage and investment in the “Axis of Resistance,” a network of friendly actors that share Iran’s hostility toward U.S. hegemony in the Middle East, has unraveled in a short period of time and caught the Iranian regime off guard. While Iran’s leadership scrambles for a response,… Continue reading With the Axis of Resistance in Retreat, How Will the Iranian People Respond?

learn more
December 30, 2024
Regional Economy Faces Plenty of Challenges—and Reasons for Hope—in 2025

Despite the turmoil rocking the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), there may be some glimmers of hope for the region’s economies in 2025. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are both projecting an uptick in growth in most MENA economies. However, structural challenges, political instability, and geopolitical tensions will continue to… Continue reading Regional Economy Faces Plenty of Challenges—and Reasons for Hope—in 2025

learn more