MENA Research Center

The MENA Research Center, established in 2018 and HQ in Vienna, Austria, is an independent, non-partisan, and secular think tank dedicated to fostering informed public discourse and contributing to effective policy development. Through methodologically rigorous and evidence-based research, the Center examines political, security, social, cultural, economic, and religious dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a particular emphasis on their implications for Europe. The Center’s mission is to provide impartial, scholarly analysis that informs policymaking and enhances public understanding of developments within the MENA region and its intersection with Europe. By producing multilingual research, fostering dialogue, and engaging with subject-matter experts, the Center addresses pressing challenges such as political polarization, ideological extremism, and social fragmentation. In doing so, it promotes democratic governance, pluralism, and the rule of law. The work of the MENA Research Center is organized around four core pillars: Analysis – Delivering timely, fact-based assessments of developments shaping Europe and the MENA region; Dialogue – Encouraging constructive exchange among communities, institutions, and stakeholders across public, academic, and civil society spheres; Network – Connecting scholars, experts, and practitioners across disciplines and geographies; Influence – Enhancing public understanding and shaping debate on key transregional issues. Guided by a vision of strengthened relations between Europe and the MENA region—founded on mutual respect, open dialogue, and shared knowledge—the Center aspires to be a leading platform for collaborative problem-solving, countering misinformation, and fostering inclusive, resilient societies. The MENA Research Center operates on the foundational belief that sound decision-making must be informed by credible, empirically grounded research.