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

Human Rights and the Future of Afghanistan

PAST EVENT

Join UChicago's International House and the Chicago Council for a conversation with Nader Nadery on the future of human rights in Afghanistan.

Oct 24
A Taliban fighter stands in the road during a celebration marking the second anniversary of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan
AP Photos

Ambassador Dina Kawar on Jordan-US Relations

PAST EVENT

Ambassador Dina Kawar discusses the relationship between Jordan and the United States, as well as Jordan’s role in regional security.

Mar 9
President Biden shakes hands with Jordan's King Abdullah II.
Reuters
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Commentary & Analysis

If Israel Needs Friends, So Does Ukraine

In the News
America Abroad
Ivo H. Daalder

"While Israel and its allies intercepted nearly all the Iranian missiles, Ukraine is facing Russia all on its own," writes Ivo Daalder.

A Ukrainian soldier raises the Ukrainian flag in the village of Andriivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine on September 16, 2023.
Alex Babenko / AP
Global Politics

Americans Want US Leaders to Focus More on China and Southern Border

BLOG
Running Numbers by Dina Smeltz

Partisan differences guide assessments of where Washington should turn its attention.

a Chinese flag hangs near an automated parcel handling line at a warehouse for an online retailer in Beijing
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Public Opinion
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Research

American Public Divided over US Approach to Israel’s War in Gaza

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

Americans are also slightly more likely to say Israel has gone too far in its war with Hamas than to say Israel’s actions are justified.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant meet at the Pentagon
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Public Opinion

Americans Continue to Say the US Should Stay Impartial in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

But they are becoming increasingly polarized across partisan groups, particularly among Democrats.

American flag flies over Jerusalem
Mahmoud Illean/AP
Public Opinion
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Experts

Saeid Golkar 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Iran Policy
Council expert Saeid Golkar
Expertise
Middle East and North Africa

Sibel Oktay 

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Headshot for Sibel Oktay
Expertise
Europe
Middle East and North Africa
Public Opinion
Global Politics
Social Media
View all Middle East and North Africa Experts