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Tuesday May 13, 2008

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spotlight: the middle east


Reuters/Eliana Aponte - Jets fly over al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City

Save to My Portfolio Middle East in Focus

As Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Middle East as a whole continues to face a wide range of challenges and opportunities—stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations, suspected Syrian and Iranian nuclear ambitions, the ongoing Iraq conflict to name a few. These and other issues present difficult policy choices for all nations involved. The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings examines these issues and potential policy responses. Read More

upcoming event


Reuters/Lucy Nicholson - The sun rises over a windmill farm in Palm Springs, California

Save to My Portfolio Energy Challenges for the Next President

Monday, May 12, 2008
Washington, DC

Energy issues are among the most important strategic challenges facing America and the world.  From ethanol subsidies to trade policy, energy may well dominate policy and political discussions this summer. The Opportunity 08 project at Brookings hosted a discussion with Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) on the big energy questions facing the next president. Read More

Climate Change, Energy Security, Taxes, Trade, Energy

northeast asia commentary


Reuters - Taiwan's vice president-elect Vincent Siew and China's commerce minister Chen Deming attend the Boao Forum for Asia in Boao

Save to My Portfolio Implications of the 2008 Taiwan Presidential Election for Cross-Strait Relations

Richard C. Bush III, May 2008

Taiwan will inaugurate its new president, Ma Ying-jeou, on May 20, providing a strategic opportunity to transform relations between Taiwan and China. CNAPS Director Richard Bush argues that such a transformation will yield an important reduction of mutual fear and suspicion. There are obstacles, but courage should trump caution in Taipei and especially in Beijing. Read More

Taiwan, China, Elections, Asia, International Relations

spotlight: iraq


Reuters/GoranTomasevic - A statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein falls as it is pulled down in central Baghdad April 9, 2003

Save to My Portfolio Mission Accomplished in Iraq?

Five years ago, as he declared that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended," President Bush also stated that "the transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time, but it is worth every effort." Today, while sectarian violence appears to be down and some progress is apparent on achieving political and social benchmarks, much more effort remains to be done in the political and diplomatic fronts. Brookings experts continue to offer recommendations for U.S. policy in Iraq. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio A Look at the Pentagon’s Five Step Plan For Making Iron Man Real

Peter W. Singer, May 02, 2008

As the movie Iron Man debuts in theaters, Peter Singer writes that the superhuman strengths enabled to the star character, through use of a suit, are "no mere fiction." Instead, Singer details how this vision of technology overcoming the weaknesses of the human body has led the Pentagon to invest billions of dollars into creating a military of supersoldiers. Read More

Congressional Testimony

Save to My Portfolio Political and Diplomatic Solutions for Iraq

Carlos Pascual, April 03, 2008

General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker appeared before Congress to assess the status of the U.S. mission in Iraq, including the "surge" strategy and possible troop withdrawals. In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Brookings Vice President Carlos Pascual stressed the need for political and diplomatic solutions, saying "the lack of a meaningful U.S. strategy in this area continues to threaten the prospects for sustainable progress (in Iraq)." Read More

Past Event

Save to My Portfolio Views from the Middle East: Public Opinion in the Arab World

Monday, April 14, 2008
Washington, DC

The Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted the release of a new University of Maryland/Zogby International opinion poll reflecting public attitudes in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio China and the Olympics

Cheng Li, April 10, 2008

China recently announced thwarted terrorism plots as protests against the country's hosting of the Olympics continue across the world. China expert Cheng Li joined Diane Rehm to discuss these issues and others facing the August games in Beijing. Read More

Upcoming Events

Save to My Portfolio Plug-In Electric Vehicles 2008: What Role for Washington?

June 11, 2008

Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill

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Recent Research and Commentary

Foreign Aid The United Nations Can Save Burma

Ivo H. Daalder, Paul Stares, May 13, 2008

Foreign Aid Aid Strategy for Burma's Cyclone Victims

Michael E. O'Hanlon, May 13, 2008

Iraq Contracting Out Iraqi Army Advising

Peter W. Singer, May 12, 2008

Africa Somalia's Civil War

Vicki Huddleston, May 09, 2008

More Recent Research and Commentary »

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Q&A with Peter Singer

Winning the War of Ideas in the Islamic World

"We really have to see the entrance of the new president, whoever it is, as a possibility to sort of reboot our relationship with the Islamic world ... All the polling shows that it's not just American policies that are really sinking deeply within the Islamic world, but it's beginning to be respect for America itself. Whoever that president is has a chance ... to prevent these kind of perceptions from sinking in for the long term."

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Spotlight

ExpertLael Brainard

Lael Brainard is vice president and director of Global Economy and Development. She focuses on competitiveness, trade, international economics, U.S. foreign assistance and global poverty.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare, and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

ExpertRon Haskins

A former White House and congressional advisor on welfare issues, Ron Haskins co-directs the Brookings Center on Children and Families. He is an expert on preschool, foster care and poverty.

Policy CenterSaban Center for Middle East Policy

The Saban Center conducts original research and develops innovative programs to promote a better understanding of the policy choices facing American decisionmakers in the Middle East.

Policy CenterJohn L. Thornton China Center

The John L. Thornton China Center develops analysis and policy recommendations to help address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.

ExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families at Brookings.

ProgramGlobal Economy and Development

Global Economy and Development advances research, dialogue, and innovative solutions to address the forces of globalization and the challenges of global poverty.

ExpertThomas Mann

A noted congressional scholar, Tom Mann writes and speaks widely on issues related to campaigns, elections and the effectiveness of Congress.

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertAlice M. Rivlin

Alice Rivlin, the first director of the Congressional Budget Office, is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy. She directs the Greater Washington Research project. 

ProgramMetropolitan Policy Program

Redefining the challenges facing metropolitan America and promoting innovative solutions to help communities grow in more inclusive, competitive and sustainable ways.

ExpertMartin S. Indyk

Ambassador to Israel and assistant secretary of state for near east affairs during the Clinton Administration, Martin Indyk directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. He currently focuses on the Clinton administration’s diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli conflict.