The transatlantic relations are not going through a smooth period. There seem to be more divergences than convergences in a number of issues. One of the areas where deep disconnects plague current transatlantic cooperation is Middle East policy. While there is a common transatlantic understanding of the main threats to peace and stability in the MENA region, differences mark the approaches towards issues such as the nuclear deal with Iran. The expert workshop aims to address common threats and to develop new ways to cooperate.