Draft:Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs

• Comment: Wikipedia articles are built on secondary sources, these are mainly primary. Stuartyeates (talk) 21:58, 9 August 2025 (UTC)

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The Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs is a center within the Atlantic Council, and is an American non-partisan think-tank, established in 2013 with a mission of promoting peace and security and unlocking the economic and human potential of the region. It generates policy recommendations and solutions to regional challenges, and serve as a hub for analyses about the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa. The center is based in the United States, Washington, D.C. on 1400 L Street.^[1][2]

A strategically significant region

See also: Think tank, Civil society, Nonprofit organization, and Middle East

Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs

Named after	Former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri
Formation	2013; 12 years ago
Type	International affairs think tank
Legal status	501(c)(3)
Purpose	Policy, and Regional Collaboration in the Middle East and North Africa
Headquarters	1400 L St, NW, D.C., United States
Senior Director	William F. Wechsler
Parent organization	Atlantic Council
Staff	50+
Website	https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/mideast

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA)—a region spanning fifteen million square kilometers, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf—continues to be the epicenter of news headlines for various reasons. Beyond its political volatility and economic dynamism, MENA commands abundant natural resources—it possesses about 60 percent of the worlds oil, 32 percent of known natural gas reserves, and over half of the phosphate reserves—making it a major player in maintaining global economic and political stability.^{[3][4][5][6][7][8]}

The MENA region also has an abundance of young people, as the median age of its population of roughly 500 million is under thirty. Although one in five individuals lives near conflict, the region is at the forefront of innovation, fast economic growth, and social potential, representing a force for meaningful change and prosperity. As a result of these factors, MENA remains vital to the national security interests of the United States, making it necessary to preserve engagement with partners and allies in the region and prevent Washington’s withdrawal from this critical part of the globe.^{[9][10][11][12]}

The Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs are leading the way in providing a space to inform and galvanize the transatlantic community to shape a stable and prosperous MENA. The center has been at the vanguard of current affairs, policies, and regional shifts for over a decade. It continues to work in, with, and on the MENA region, amplifying local voices and connecting regional stakeholders to their transatlantic counterparts.^{[13][14][15][16]}

A prism into the region

Logo of the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center

The Rafik Hariri Center is a forum for converging ideas, and delineates policy recommendations to unleash the region’s capacity. The work of the center includes: A non-partisan forum to convene policymakers from the Middle East and North Africa, the United States, Europe, and area specialists in a series of public-facing and private events. Deep relationships of mutual trust with the executive and legislative branches in Washington and with key governments in the region. Intellectually independent thought leadership and actionable policy recommendations that are shown through short and long-form publications.^[17][18][19]

Logo of the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs

Commentary on regional breaking news and events, focusing on pressing issues and popular interests from the ground up. Opportunities to build communities of influence to collaborate and shape solutions for the region. A network of over eighty regional thematic experts and staff members in more than twenty MENA countries, as well as access to the Atlantic Council’s network of sixteen specialized centers and programs add to the deep understanding of the region by the center. Ideating a blueprint for change at the Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs, it’s not business as usual. The center explores MENA’s complexities and enjoys a high level of access when working in and with the region due to state and municipal connections among other aids.^{[20][21][22][23]}

Iniatives and Programs of the Rafik Hariri Center

See also: Atlanticism, Atlantic Council, Politics of the Middle East, Politics of Morocco, Politics of Libya, and Politics of Iraq

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative (SMESI)

SMESI provides policymakers with fresh insights into core US national security interests by leveraging its expertise, networks, and on-the-ground programs to develop assessments of the Middle East's most pressing strategic, political, and security challenges and opportunities. The Initiative engages on a myriad of critical, pan-regional topics, including, but not limited to, great power competition in the Middle East, impending regional security challenges ranging from war to climate change, and emerging technologies and their impact on strategic relationships.^{[24][25][26][27][28]}

Strategic Litigation Project (SLP)

The Strategic Litigation Project seeks to reshape how governments and practitioners can apply legal tools to advance human rights and democracy around the world. Governments and practitioners have a suite of legal tools at their disposal with which to hold state actors, state proxies, non-state actors, and affiliated entities to account for human rights violations, atrocity crimes, financial abuses, and acts of terrorism, among other legal offenses.^[29]

Iran Strategy Project

The Iran Strategy Project synchronizes and brings together the Atlantic Council’s policy and analytical efforts on Iran under a single banner, reflecting the unprecedented level of discord and uncertainty in the country. The program examines all issues related to the country: political, human rights, security, economic, nuclear, social, and natural resources, providing a forum for experts across the political spectrum, and with varying functional expertise, to discuss and debate the future of Iran, and to offer concrete strategic options for policymakers.^[30][31][32]

File:240419 AC-Iraq Prime Minster-Mohammed Shia Al Sudani-030.jpg

A high-level convening with the Prime Minister of Iraq, al-Sudani, hosted by the Rafik Hariri Center

Iraq Initiative

The Iraq Initiative is driving policy-oriented programs and analysis that advance Iraq’s stability and sovereignty, regional integration, and democratic and economic development. It also aims to promote a strengthened partnership between the US and Iraq. The initiative believes that it is crucial to shift the international conversation about Iraq from its sole focus on security and military engagement to broader policy issues, including attracting investment, enhancing governance and services, and the country’s unique geopolitical role. The Iraq Initiative also works to develop relationships with Iraqi officials and their counterparts in the transatlantic community.^{[33] [34][35]}

N7 Initiative

The N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, seeks to broaden and deepen normalization between Israel and Arab and Muslim countries. It collaborates with governments to produce actionable recommendations that deliver tangible benefits to their citizens. The N7 Initiative hosts multilateral conferences for government officials, developing ideas and recommendations for governments in support of the Negev Working Group. This is done by producing independent scholarship, hosting events, and serving as a clearinghouse for information on the status of normalization.^[36][37][38]

Syria Project

The Syria Project sheds light on the ongoing struggle of Syrians to fulfill their desire for democratic self-governance as the United States and the international community grapple with the aftermath of a devastating civil war, millions of refugees across the Middle East and Europe, and ongoing security and political challenges spilling over Syria’s borders. The project provides in-depth research, policy recommendations, and a distinctive civil society perspective on the crisis and the country's future amid recent political and regional shifts, coming into close contact with the nation's public sphere and popular opinions.^[39][40][41]

Realign For Palestine

The Realign For Palestine project at the Atlantic Council aims to amplify voices who advocate for Palestinian statehood and self-determination, reject violence, terrorism, and extremism, and acknowledge a two-nation solution, including Israel’s right to exist in safety. Decades of violent conflict have shown that the eruptive region needs change. Realign For Palestine fosters innovative thinking, advocacy, and action toward regional peace, security, and mutual nation-building.^[42][43][44]

Transatlantic Initiative

The Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East’s Transatlantic Project is a flagship effort aimed at revitalizing and deepening US-European cooperation on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). As the geopolitical landscape shifts, it is increasingly clear that the future of peace, prosperity, and stability in the MENA region cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the United States. Instead,strategic, long-term coordination with European partners can lead to positive change. From diplomacy and security to development and investment, a cohesive transatlantic approach is necessary. Rooted in longstanding regional expertise and robust European partnerships, the Transatlantic Project serves as a sustained, high-level platform for collaborative strategy, joint diplomacy, and inclusive dialogue between US, European, and MENA actors.^{[45] Launched only very recently}

File:Atlantic Council Building - 1400 L St.jpg

The Atlantic Council building in NW Washington D.C. on L St

MENA Futures Lab

Taking advantage of new opportunities emerging in the region, the Lab serves as a collaborative center of excellence, focusing on empowering entrepreneurs, women, and promoting private sector growth in the Middle East and North Africa. MENA Futures Lab aims to build on and accelerate economic opportunities in geographic hubs, such as the Levant and the GCC, as potential drivers of positive transformation. The Lab also convenes stakeholders, policymakers, and thought leaders to increase the visibility of regional innovation. It conducts critical, data-focused research and supports copetitive entrepreneurial ecosystems and startups, with a particular focus on women founders, that can attract regional and international investment.^{[46][47] Will be launched}

China-MENA Podcast

Featuring conversations with academics, government leaders, and the policy community, the China-MENA podcast provides insights into how China’s evolving role in the Middle East affects intra-regional development, trade, security, and diplomacy.^[48][49][50]

Guns for Hire Podcast

The podcast examines private warfare and its implications for the future of the international system, using Libya as its starting point. It features guests from many walks of life, from ethicists and historians to former mercenary fighters.^[51][52][53]

North Africa Initiative

The North Africa Initiative examines the strategic, political, and economic significance of the region, providing commentary and analysis to inform regional stakeholders about current developments in the Maghreb. Since the 2011 Arab uprisings, North Africa has undergone political and economic transformations that have impacted its stability and security. Being at the geographic crossroads between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, it remains an integral partner in addressing shared interests and concerns for the US and its allies.^[54][55][56]

Innovators Lounge

The podcast highlights significant policy issues, economic opportunities, and challenges for organizations and governments in the MENA region through interviews with influential entrepreneurs, innovators, corporate leaders, and financial policymakers.^{[57] Will be launched}

MENASource

With curated online content focused on pressing issues such as current events and timely debates, MENASource seeks to explore all facets of life in the MENA region as affected by political, security, economic, and cultural shifts. The online publication features the latest news from across the region, complemented by expert commentary and independent analysis from staff, fellows, and regional experts.^[58][59][60]

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