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Middle East Institute

US-Iran War Gives Syria’s Global Economic Pitch More Urgency
  • Commentary
  • US-Iran War Gives Syria’s Global Economic Pitch More Urgency

    When the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran a month ago, the Middle East was plunged into debilitating conflict. Nevertheless, Syria has remarkably just completed its most stable month in 15 years. Damascus and its international partners must capitalize on this opportunity.

    A Post-American Persian Gulf?
  • Commentary
  • A Post-American Persian Gulf?

    The US-Israeli war against Iran has created the largest disruption to global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies in modern history. There is a tremendous amount of economic uncertainty for Gulf states to navigate, and it will reshape the way they engage with one another and with Iran, Israel, and the United States for years to come. But this war has also laid bare how urgently the United States needs to update its own approach toward the Gulf states when it comes to energy.

    Libya’s Fragile Equilibrium: Succession Risk and Energy Stability
  • Analysis
  • Libya’s Fragile Equilibrium: Succession Risk and Energy Stability

    Libya’s stability has taken on renewed strategic importance as the impact of the US and Israeli war with Iran reverberates through global energy markets. Sustaining existing Libyan oil production depends on a governing arrangement capable of keeping ports open, pipelines flowing, and revenues distributed without triggering conflict.

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    The Latest on War in Iran

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    Featured Events

    Diplomacy or Escalation? The Next Phase of the Iran Conflict
  • Event
  • April 2, 2026

    Diplomacy or Escalation? The Next Phase of the Iran Conflict

    The Middle East Institute invites you to a discussion of what negotiations may or should be taking place, Washington’s and Tehran’s calculations, as well as what a US ground invasion of Iran could entail if talks fail to arrest the war.

    Zoom Webinar

    2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

    MEI Art Gallery – First Friday Open House
  • Arts & Culture
  • April 3, 2026

    MEI Art Gallery – First Friday Open House

    Join us to see our latest exhibition, Beyond the Weave: Contemporary Dialogues with AlSadu, at the upcoming First Friday Open House as part of Art Walk Dupont.

    MEI Art Gallery, 1763 N St NW, Washington DC 20036

    6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    Podcasts

    Backgrounders

    What’s behind Sudan’s humanitarian crisis?
  • Video
  • What’s behind Sudan’s humanitarian crisis?

    After the Rapid Support Forces’ seizure of al-Fashir, the capital of the North Darfur State and the last remaining stronghold of the Sudanese army, the conflict in Sudan has once again drawn international attention. This development is the latest in a devastating civil war that has lasted over two years. MEI’s Jehanne Henry unpacks the origins of the conflict, the humanitarian situation on the ground, and what needs to happen in the future.

    November 14, 2025

    OPEC and OPEC+
    Source: Simon Dawson/ Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • Backgrounder
  • OPEC and OPEC+

    This backgrounder provides an overview of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), including its history, structure, and function, and the US government’s approach to the organization.

    November 24, 2025