Middle East Institute

Iran prepares for US sanctions

In this week's Monday Briefing, MEI experts discuss Iran's decision to sell its oil in the private sector, the prime minister of Pakistan's search for foreign aid, and the Syrian summit in Istanbul.

The Tiger Forces: Pro-Assad fighters backed by Russia

While the Tiger Forces' capabilities far exceed any other unit currently fighting in the Syrian civil war, their true power comes from their alleged status as elite fighters, their large size, supply lines, and Russian support.

The UN’s “Plan B” for Libya needs a security solution, too

The UN has undertaken a series of steps to push Libya beyond the uneasy stability imposed by the militias. Together with Plan B, an economic-military-political package could provide the means to do so.

Assessing the fallout of the Khashoggi crisis

This week, in a highly anticipated speech on the Khashoggi affair, Turkish President Erdogan promised a lot but said little; the “Davos in the Desert” conference opened in Riyadh with an appearance by the Saudi crown prince; and the United States continued to send mixed signals. Karen Young and Gonul Tol join host Paul Salem to discuss the latest developments.

72nd Annual Awards Gala

Tickets are now available for MEI's signature annual event! Join us November 7 as we honor this year's award recipients for outstanding humanitarian and cultural contributions to the region.

Iran prepares for US sanctions

In this week's Monday Briefing, MEI experts discuss Iran's decision to sell its oil in the private sector, the prime minister of Pakistan's search for foreign aid, and the Syrian summit in Istanbul.

The Tiger Forces: Pro-Assad fighters backed by Russia

While the Tiger Forces' capabilities far exceed any other unit currently fighting in the Syrian civil war, their true power comes from their alleged status as elite fighters, their large size, supply lines, and Russian support.

The UN’s “Plan B” for Libya needs a security solution, too

The UN has undertaken a series of steps to push Libya beyond the uneasy stability imposed by the militias. Together with Plan B, an economic-military-political package could provide the means to do so.

Assessing the fallout of the Khashoggi crisis

This week, in a highly anticipated speech on the Khashoggi affair, Turkish President Erdogan promised a lot but said little; the “Davos in the Desert” conference opened in Riyadh with an appearance by the Saudi crown prince; and the United States continued to send mixed signals. Karen Young and Gonul Tol join host Paul Salem to discuss the latest developments.

72nd Annual Awards Gala

Tickets are now available for MEI's signature annual event! Join us November 7 as we honor this year's award recipients for outstanding humanitarian and cultural contributions to the region.

Analysis

Oct 26, 2018

Khaled Dawoud

How Egypt’s media covered the Khashoggi case

Oct 26, 2018

Khaled Dawoud

As the Khashoggi story became too big to ignore, Egypt's state-owned and private media coverage confirmed that the country could not afford to harm its ties with Saudi Arabia
Analysis

Oct 26, 2018

Gönül Tol

What’s at Stake for Erdogan in Khashoggi Affair?

Oct 26, 2018

Gönül Tol

The killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could not have come at a worse time for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
MEI Flash

Oct 18, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Key Afghan police chief killed in Kandahar shooting

Oct 18, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

The assassinations are likely to undermine voter turnout in Afghanistan's south and deepen divisions within the Afghan government about the prospect of peace with the Taliban.
Analysis

Oct 12, 2018

Gareth Jenkins

Erdogan’s generals: From military tutelage to a politicized military

Oct 12, 2018

Gareth Jenkins

Erdogan is likely to leave behind a highly politicized officer corps rather than a meritocratic one.
Announcement

Oct 15, 2018

Middle East Institute

Paul Salem Named MEI President

Oct 15, 2018

Middle East Institute

Dr. Paul Salem has been named president of the Middle East Institute (MEI). The announcement was made by MEI’s Board of Governors at its meeting on Monday, October 15. He succeeds Amb. (ret.) Wendy Chamberlin, who stepped down in July 2018 after serving nearly twelve years as president.

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Nov. 8

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Analysis & Opinion

Bahrain

Oct 30, 2018

Robert Mogielnicki

The politics of aid: GCC support for Bahrain

Oct 30, 2018

Robert Mogielnicki

The GCC aid package for Bahrain illustrates how massive capital flows underlie the contentious politics and strategic alliances within the Gulf and broader Middle East.
Analysis

Oct 29, 2018

Jonathan M. Winer

The UN’s “Plan B” for Libya needs a security solution, too

Oct 29, 2018

Jonathan M. Winer

The UN has undertaken a series of steps to push Libya beyond the uneasy stability imposed by the militias. Together with Plan B, an economic-military-political package could provide the means to do so.
Syria

Oct 29, 2018

Gregory Waters

The Tiger Forces: pro-Assad fighters backed by Russia

Oct 29, 2018

Gregory Waters
Analysis

Oct 26, 2018

Khaled Dawoud

How Egypt’s media covered the Khashoggi case

Oct 26, 2018

Khaled Dawoud

As the Khashoggi story became too big to ignore, Egypt's state-owned and private media coverage confirmed that the country could not afford to harm its ties with Saudi Arabia
Analysis

Oct 26, 2018

Gönül Tol

What’s at Stake for Erdogan in Khashoggi Affair?

Oct 26, 2018

Gönül Tol

The killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could not have come at a worse time for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Policy Paper

Oct 24, 2018

Shiraz Maher

The primacy of praxis: clerical authority in the Syrian conflict

Oct 24, 2018

Shiraz Maher

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Experts in the News

CNN - May 16

Iraqi election makes US foe al-Sadr a potential kingmaker

Randa Slim

New York Times - May 13

With Demise of Nuclear Deal, Iran’s Foes See an Opportunity. Others See Risk of War.

Randa Slim

CNBC - May 11

Could Israel and Iran go to war in Syria?

Ahmad Majidyar

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Events

11/1968th Annual Awards BanquetHonoring Ayman Asfari and Shafiq Gabr, and with special performance by Lubana Al QuntarRegister

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Nov 8

The Middle East in 2019: Challenges and Opportunities

The Middle East Institute's (MEI) 72nd Annual Conference will convene innovative leaders, foreign policy practitioners, and analysts from the Middle East and the United States to explain the challenges and opportunities facing the region and assess current policies.

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Nov 8

72nd Annual Conference | The Middle East in 2019: Challenges and Opportunities
Oct 30

Challenges Facing Iraq's New Generation Movement

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Oct 30, 2018

Jasmin Lorch

Trajectories of Political Salafism: Insights from the Ahle Hadith Movement in Pakistan and Bangladesh

Oct 30, 2018

Jasmin Lorch

The recent research on Salafism has focused almost entirely on the Middle East, while neglecting other world regions, such as Asia. However, the region of former British India, and, especially, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh that emerged from the partition of India in 1947 and 1971, respectively, provide highly interesting insights into the trajectories that the development of political Salafism can take. In this region, the Ahle Hadith school of thought, the South Asian variant of Salafism, has a tradition of political activism that predates the emergence of political Salafism in the Middle East.
Oct 23, 2018

Vanessa Frangville, Hacer Z. Gonul and Julius Maximilian Rogenhofer

Standing up to China on Human Rights: The Case of the Uyghurs

Oct 23, 2018

Vanessa Frangville, Hacer Z. Gonul and Julius Maximilian Rogenhofer

After becoming a significant global player in the world economy and the global geostrategic calculus, China now seeks to redefine the normative framework that determines how states engage with their citizens and with each other. This strategy has considerable implications for the principle of universal human rights. The challenge to human rights universalism is exemplified by China’s crackdown on the country’s Uyghur minority.
Oct 16, 2018

Latifa Abdullah Al Saud

Japan’s Development of the Jericho Agricultural Industrial Park (JAIP): Policy and Politics

Oct 16, 2018

Latifa Abdullah Al Saud

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) development of the Jericho Agricultural Industrial Park (JAIP) in the Jordan Valley is a key part of Japan’s policy of proactive contributions to Middle East peace. A mixture of both economic and diplomatic efforts, the Park is one way for Japan to balance its relationships and further its long-term strategic footprint in the region.
Oct 9, 2018

Mihir Bhatt

Dark Clouds, Silver Lining: Kerala Floods, Gulf Responses, and More Lessons

Oct 9, 2018

Mihir Bhatt

The unprecedented flooding witnessed in the Indian state of Kerala in August 2018 has been heart wrenching. Climate experts and meteorologists have dubbed it the worst flooding observed in the state in over a century. As the floodwaters recede in Kerala, leaving behind lost lives and damaged houses and wiped out livelihoods, it is important to imbibe the lessons that this disaster has offered for effective relief and sustainable reconstruction.
Sep 25, 2018

Pietro Marzo

Foreign Actors in Post-revolutionary Tunisia: Enhancing Democratization and Lowering Political Tensions

Sep 25, 2018

Pietro Marzo

As the barriers erected by Tunisia's autocratic regime have crumbled, the range of programs delivered by international democracy promotion organizations has steadily increased. This essay examines the reasons for this growth and the distinctive manner in which foreign actors have involved themselves in Tunisia's national politics since the 2011 revolution.
Sep 18, 2018

John Calabrese

Iran under Sanctions: India and China over a Barrel

Sep 18, 2018

John Calabrese

The Trump administration appears to be betting on a high-compliance outcome in its effort to drive Iran to the negotiating table. The effectiveness of sanctions, as well as the way oil markets might adapt to them, will depend heavily on the actions of China and India, the world’s second and third largest oil consumers, which together account for more than half of Iran’s crude exports.

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IranObserved

Sep 21, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar and Lama Al Jarallah

Houthi rebels step up persecution of Baha’i minority in Yemen

Sep 21, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar and Lama Al Jarallah
Sep 19, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar and Lama Al Jarallah

Riyadh holds Tehran responsible for missile attacks into Saudi Arabia, instability in Yemen

Sep 19, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar and Lama Al Jarallah
Sep 19, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran’s environmental chief blames IRGC for failures in agricultural sector

Sep 19, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar
Sep 18, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Delegation of 180 Iranian companies visit Syria for business deals

Sep 18, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar
Aug 31, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran and Pakistan vow to bolster ties in defiance of U.S. pressure

Aug 31, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar
Aug 31, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Tehran rejects France's call for talks on missile activity, regional role

Aug 31, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

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Multimedia Highlights

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Nuclear programs in the Middle East As countries across the region pursue nuclear programs to meet energy demands, the risks also increase.
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Chemical weapons in Syria Short video on how chemical warfare has been normalized in Syria's civil war.
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Foreign military presence in the Middle East Why the U.S. went from 3 to 29 military installations in the Middle East in less than three decades
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The Kurds at a glance A brief introduction to the largest stateless population in the Middle East.
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What's next for Raqqa ISIS is gone, but IDPs face many challenges before they can return home.
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What Is the Balfour Declaration? Now 100 years old, this document's legacy continues to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Climate Change in the Middle East Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing the Middle East—the driest region on the planet.
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2017 Photo Contest See the winners of MEI's first photo contest, with the theme of "New Beginnings."
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The MEI Colbert Held Archive Sifting through 20,000 Kodachrome slides chronicling Middle East history
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ISIS Insurgency in the Sinai Interactive map of ISIS attacks and counter-ISIS operations in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula
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U.S. vs Russia in Syria's Skies Map of U.S. and Russian military presence in Syria's airspace
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Voices from Syria's Civil Society A short documentary on Syria's hidden heroes
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Countering Violent Extremism Video and podcasts from full-day conference.

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