Middle East Council on Global Affairs

What Middle East Council on Global Affairs does

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs is an independent, non-profit policy research organization incorporated in Doha, Qatar in 2006 under Decree-Law No. (21) as a Private Establishment of Public Benefits. The organization conducts research, publishes analysis, and convenes expert dialogue on regional and global affairs, with a primary focus on MENA geopolitics including Gulf security, Iran, Israel-Palestine, and regional governance. It produces a portfolio of knowledge products: Afkār, a bilingual short-form analytical publication available in English and Arabic; longer-form Publications including issue briefs, situation assessments, and reports; MEnbar, an events platform hosting webinars and conferences; and structured research Programs addressing peace and security, political economy, regional relations, and governance.

The Council's customer base spans government officials and policy makers, academic researchers and scholars, and regional stakeholders including international organizations. It distributes content free of charge through its website (mecouncil.org) and a newsletter subscription channel, with reach extending across MENA, GCC, and global policy audiences in the US, China, Russia, and selected African markets. As a non-profit think tank, the organization does not operate a commercial revenue model; its operating model is consistent with grant, donor, or governmental support typical of the sector, though no funding sources are publicly disclosed. Leadership includes Executive Director Khalid Al-Jaber, a former Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula and Director of Al-Sharq Studies & Research Center, and Fellow Omar H. Rahman, who also edits Afkār. The organization's website archive redirects to the Brookings Doha Center, indicating a historical institutional relationship.

Name

Middle East Council on Global Affairs

Legal name

Middle East Council on Global Affairs

Website

https://mecouncil.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs is a Doha-based, independent non-profit think tank that conducts policy research, publishes bilingual analysis, and convenes expert dialogue on MENA geopolitics, Gulf security, and regional governance for government, academic, and international stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Think Tank Services

NAICS

International Affairs (928120), International Affairs (92812), National Security and International Affairs (9281)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Treaties, International Law & Boundary Affairs (BPAIAIAD), Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)

Keywords

• Policy research
• Think tank
• MENA affairs
• Geopolitics analysis
• Regional security

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs is an independent policy research institution based in Doha, Qatar, founded in 2006. It conducts policy research and analysis on regional and international issues affecting the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), publishes reports, briefs, and analyses, and convenes events that bring together policymakers, scholars, and other stakeholders.

Product overview

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs is a policy research and think tank organization offering a portfolio of knowledge products focused on Middle East and North Africa affairs. The core offerings include Afkār (a bilingual short-form analytical publication), longer-form Publications (reports, issue briefs, situation assessments), Events (webinars and conferences), and structured research Programs. The organization does not operate a software or technology platform product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Afkār: Online publication providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues from Council experts and outside contributors. Published in English and Arabic.
• MEnbar

Products and services

• Afkār (short-form analyses)
• Research Programs
• Convening Events and Conferences

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Brookings Doha Center (Historical Archive Reference)minorOthersThe organization's Archives link redirects to the Brookings Doha Center website, indicating a historical relationship or transition from Brookings Center operations to independent ME Council entity.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Middle East Institute: Washington DC-based nonprofit dedicated to studying the Middle East, producing policy analysis, publications, and convening events on regional affairs. Closely comparable in mission, format, and audience — a dedicated Middle East policy research institution.
• International Crisis Group: International nonprofit that produces independent analytical reports and field-based research on conflict zones, including extensive coverage of the Middle East. Directly comparable in producing timely analytical publications and policy briefings on MENA conflicts and crises.
• Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington (AGSIW): Washington-based nonprofit focused on analyzing the social, economic, and political developments of the Gulf Arab states. Directly comparable in producing regional policy analysis and convening on Gulf security, with prior affiliation of Council Fellow Omar H. Rahman.

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based international affairs think tank producing independent policy research and convening on global issues including the Middle East. Comparable as a peer policy research and convening institution with MENA-focused programming.
• RAND Corporation: US-based global policy research institution producing analysis on national security, international affairs, and regional geopolitics including MENA. Comparable in producing policy research on Middle East security and geopolitical issues, at significantly larger scale.
• Atlantic Council: US-based international affairs think tank with the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, producing policy analysis and convening on regional security, energy, and geopolitics. Comparable as a think tank producing MENA-focused analysis with global convening platforms.
• Brookings Institution: Major US-based policy research institution with a legacy Doha Center that has direct historical ties to the Middle East Council on Global Affairs (whose archives page links to Brookings Doha Center). Comparable as a think tank producing policy analysis and convening on international affairs, though operating at far greater scale and breadth.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): Global think tank on defence and security producing authoritative analysis on armed conflicts and strategic issues, including extensive Middle East coverage. Comparable as a peer policy research institution with a strong security and conflict focus.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global think tank with a longstanding Middle East program producing analysis on regional geopolitics, governance, and security. Directly comparable in mission to produce independent analysis and convene on Middle East affairs, though at materially greater scale.

Emerging players

• Al-Sharq Forum: Regional think tank focused on Middle East policy research and dialogue, headquartered in the MENA region. Closely comparable as a younger MENA-focused policy research institution; notably, Council Executive Director Khalid Al-Jaber previously led Al-Sharq Studies & Research Center.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ME_Council
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/middle-east-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Middle East Council on Global Affairs