Middle East Institute

The Liberation of Raqqa

Who will win the spoils from ISIS' demise in Syria? The Syrian civil war is entering a new phase with the liberation of Raqqa, as well as the Turkish intervention in the north. MEI experts Paul Salem, Charles Lister, Ibrahim al-Assil and Gonul Tol discuss the latest developments in Syria.

Poll: American Attitudes on Middle East Policies

An MEI/Ipsos poll found on American attitudes toward Middle East policies found overwhelming support for the Iran deal and continued U.S. engagement in the region.

Millions of Women in Egypt at Risk from Climate Change

The impacts of climate change on Egypt’s agriculture are likely to be substantial, and will affect the millions of Egyptian women reliant on this economic activity for their livelihoods.

Iran Warns Trump against Leaving J.C.P.O.A.

Even if the U.S. unilaterally abandons the nuclear deal, the Rouhani government appears willing to stay in the deal as long as European powers disregard U.S. sanctions and continue to do business with Iran. However, that could change if the Trump administration presses ahead with a plan to designate the I.R.G.C. as a terrorist entity.

Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing the Middle East—the driest region on the planet.

The Liberation of Raqqa

Who will win the spoils from ISIS' demise in Syria? The Syrian civil war is entering a new phase with the liberation of Raqqa, as well as the Turkish intervention in the north. MEI experts Paul Salem, Charles Lister, Ibrahim al-Assil and Gonul Tol discuss the latest developments in Syria.

Poll: American Attitudes on Middle East Policies

An MEI/Ipsos poll found on American attitudes toward Middle East policies found overwhelming support for the Iran deal and continued U.S. engagement in the region.

Millions of Women in Egypt at Risk from Climate Change

The impacts of climate change on Egypt’s agriculture are likely to be substantial, and will affect the millions of Egyptian women reliant on this economic activity for their livelihoods.

Iran Warns Trump against Leaving J.C.P.O.A.

Even if the U.S. unilaterally abandons the nuclear deal, the Rouhani government appears willing to stay in the deal as long as European powers disregard U.S. sanctions and continue to do business with Iran. However, that could change if the Trump administration presses ahead with a plan to designate the I.R.G.C. as a terrorist entity.

Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing the Middle East—the driest region on the planet.

Analysis

Oct 18, 2017

Crispin Smith

The Kurds Miscalculated with Referendum

Oct 18, 2017

Crispin Smith

Massoud Barzani should take some responsibility for the Kurdish region's current predicament, but political punishment must come second to preserving the security and successes of the K.R.I.
Policy Paper

Oct 17, 2017

Nicholas A. Heras

Iraq’s Fifth Column: Iran’s Proxy Network

Oct 17, 2017

Nicholas A. Heras

As Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (I.R.G.C.) campaigns against ISIS, the Islamic Republic is strengthening its Shiite militia proxy networks in Iraq.
Monday Briefing

Oct 16, 2017

Gerald M. Feierstein, Alex Vatanka, Randa Slim, Gönül Tol, Marvin G. Weinbaum and Ahmad Majidyar

Trump’s Iran Policy puts Spotlight on Congress

Oct 16, 2017

Gerald M. Feierstein, Alex Vatanka, Randa Slim, Gönül Tol, Marvin G. Weinbaum and Ahmad Majidyar

In this week's Monday Briefing, MEI experts Gerald Feierstein, Alex Vatanka, Randa Slim, Gonul Tol, Marvin G. Weinbaum, and Ahmad Majidyar provide analysis on recent and upcoming events including the negative international response to the Corker Legislation, Trump's speech to the Iranian people concerning the regime in Tehran, the order for Iraqi security forces to re-assume control of the federal installations in Kirkuk, the Turkish and US meeting in Ankara to discuss their mutual suspension of visas, Pakistan's relations with feuding Saudis and Iranians, and the QCG meeting in Oman.
Analysis

Oct 17, 2017

Alex Vatanka

Donald Trump Needs a Good Cop on Iran

Oct 17, 2017

Alex Vatanka

The U.S. president has the biggest bully pulpit. But Europe has all the leverage.
Analysis

Oct 3, 2017

Wided Rihana Khadraoui

What Exactly is “Arab Art”?

Oct 3, 2017

Wided Rihana Khadraoui

The conversation on labels, despite its challenging and confronting nature, is crucial to a more nuanced understanding of the art from the Middle East and North Africa.

Nov. 14-15

71st Annual Banquet and Conference

Analysis & Opinion

Analysis

Oct 19, 2017

Amal Kandeel

Millions of Rural Working Women in Egypt at Risk from Climate Change

Oct 19, 2017

Amal Kandeel

The impacts of climate change on Egypt’s agriculture are likely to be substantial, and will affect the millions of Egyptian women reliant on this economic activity for their livelihoods.
Analysis

Oct 19, 2017

Sultan Al Qassemi

Remembering the Father of Democracy in the Gulf—Sheikh Abdullah al-Salem

Oct 19, 2017

Sultan Al Qassemi

Kuwait’s Sheikh Abdullah exhibited the two traits of a great leader; enlightened and effective. Abdullah’s bold leadership is a lesson for the new generation in the Gulf, where there is no lack of ambition.
Analysis

Oct 18, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

Khamenei: Iran Will "Shred" Nuclear Deal If “Other Side” Leaves It

Oct 18, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar
Analysis

Oct 18, 2017

Crispin Smith

The Kurds Miscalculated with Referendum

Oct 18, 2017

Crispin Smith

Massoud Barzani should take some responsibility for the Kurdish region's current predicament, but political punishment must come second to preserving the security and successes of the K.R.I.

Middle East Journal Editor's Blog

Michael Collins Dunn | 3 days 5 hours ago

Experts in the News

Reuters - Oct 17

Bilal Y. Saab

Foreign Policy - Oct 17

Marvin G. Weinbaum

Reuters - Oct 16

Paul Salem

Pages

Events

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

Latest Event

Oct 19

Wartime Economies in the Middle East: A Look into Libya, Syria and Iraq

A panel discussion featuring MEI and Chatham House experts

Recent Events

Oct 19

Wartime Economies in the Middle East: A Look into Libya, Syria and Iraq
Oct 18

Film Screening: Sahbak

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Middle East Journal

Ariel I. Ahram

Fanar Haddad

Yaniv Voller

Janne Bjerre Christensen

Menachem Klein

Robert Forster

MENA Asia Project

Oct 17, 2017

Jonathan Fulton

The G.C.C. Countries and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Curbing Their Enthusiasm?

Oct 17, 2017

Jonathan Fulton

Chinese leaders emphasize that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is focused on developing connectivity through inclusive cooperation. Yet, certain BRI projects have potential strategic outcomes that can affect regional power dynamics. Thus, States that might otherwise be inclined to cooperate with China on the BRI could perceive elements of the initiative to run counter to their interests. This essay shows that, in considering the BRI, the leaders of the Gulf Arab countries have to balance their increasingly important relationship with China against the ways this initiative empowers rivals or threatens their relations with important external powers.
Oct 10, 2017

Ada Peter

Killing in the Name of Air Time? Global Mass Media’s Representation of ISIS

Oct 10, 2017

Ada Peter

The relationship between the mass media and terrorist outfits, particularly ISIS, as symbiotic; that is, terrorists provide bloody emotional news, which the mass media uses to sell their products. Another, less convincing but prevalent criticism of the press, is that the attention they accord terrorist groups fuels further violence. Still others argue that globalization of the mass media, in a sense, contributes to the spread and enhancement of terrorist outfits’ ability to extend their reach, even to countries as far afield as Southeast Asia. This essay shows that, on the contrary, global media’s skewed reporting of terrorism serves to manufacture popular revulsion of terrorist acts and opposition to jihadists’ agendas.
Oct 3, 2017

Kishan Khoday

Emerging Asia and the Middle East: The New Energy Silk Road

Oct 3, 2017

Kishan Khoday

Energy remains among the most strategic natural assets in the world economy and a fundamental basis for achieving and sustaining development goals. As we look to the future, two key mega-trends are catalyzing changes to the traditional energy security landscape, with important links to the development agenda: rising energy demands from Asia’s emerging economies such as China and India; and the ecological crisis facing the planet and the related move towards low-carbon models of development. This essay discusses the new partnerships that are rapidly emerging between Asia and the Middle East to engage these trends — on the one hand to expand supply of Middle East energy to Asia, and on the other to expand clean energy technology and finance from Asia to the Middle East.
Sep 26, 2017

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri

Think West to Go West: Origins and Implications of India’s West Asia Policy Under Modi (Part I)

Sep 26, 2017

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri

Prime Minister Modi’s 2015 visit to the U.A.E. and subsequent events have seen India’s view of the region undergo a fundamental shift. This essay, the first of two parts, shows how New Delhi has come to regard the Gulf more as a source of investment and less as a source of energy and visas; and has begun to take a more strategic and military view of the region.
Sep 19, 2017

Mohammed Sinan Siyech

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS): Renewing Efforts in India

Sep 19, 2017

Mohammed Sinan Siyech

On September 4, 2014 Al-Qaeda Central (AQC) announced the formation of a new regional affiliate called “Qaedat al-Jihad fi’shibhi al-qarrat al-Hindiya,” or Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). Recently, AQIS has been ramping up its efforts to increase its presence in India. This article examines AQIS’ renewed ambitions and activities in India.
Sep 12, 2017

Nihaya Khalaf

Greening the Egyptian Economy with Agriculture

Sep 12, 2017

Nihaya Khalaf

Agriculture is a significant contributor to Egypt’s economy. However, in recent years Egypt has faced serious challenges producing food for a growing population in a sustainable manner. How can the Egyptian economy be “greened” with agriculture? In an effort to address this question, this essay provides an in-depth analysis of recently enacted laws — including the Egyptian Constitution of 2014 and Law (26/2015) — that could have a far-reaching impact on sustainable agriculture and food security.

IranObserved

Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran’s Double-Edged Track Record in Fighting Drug Trafficking

Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar
Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

Iraqi Kurdish, Turkmen Leaders Accuse Iran-backed Group of Looting in Kirkuk

Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar
Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

Hamas Delegation Arrives in Tehran for High-Level Talks

Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar
Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran, Russia Discuss Ways to Boost Military Cooperation

Oct 20, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar
Oct 19, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran Says Will Accelerate Missile Activity in Defiance of Trump

Oct 19, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar
Oct 19, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran Seeks to Drive Wedge between Europe and U.S.

Oct 19, 2017

Ahmad Majidyar

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Countering Violent Extremism Video and podcasts from full-day conference.

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