RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ömer Taşpınar, February 01, 2010, Today's Zaman
As the United States prepares for a potential policy shift toward Iran, Ömer Taşpınar emphasizes the need to focus on Turkey as a key regional ally. Taşpınar argues that a strong U.S-Turkey partnership, based on clear communication and mutual priorities, could help to foster positive relationships throughout the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Martin S. Indyk and Kenneth M. Pollack, January 13, 2010, The Brookings Institution
In this installment of the Status Report, a series of policy assessments of the Obama administration’s first year, Martin Indyk and Kenneth M. Pollack give the administration a B for confronting major challenges in the Middle East. This grade reflects an A for effort, and a C for results that have so far not matched the promise of the administration’s ambitious agenda. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Martin S. Indyk and Kenneth M. Pollack, January 13, 2010, The Brookings Institution
After almost a year in the White House, Martin Indyk and Kenneth Pollack evaluate the Obama administration’s effectiveness in dealing with key challenges in the Middle East. Their assessment focuses on policies toward Iran, Iraq, Arab-Israeli peace and terrorism, with particular regards to Yemen. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
On January 5, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted a policy luncheon discussion with His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, the prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Qatar. The discussion touched on a range of issues, including the Israeli-Arab peace process, United States-Qatar relations, terrorism, and Iran. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon, January 04, 2010, The Washington Times
Writing about the year ahead in foreign policy, Michael O’Hanlon identifies four important policy challenges facing the Obama Administration that will reach crucial milestones in 2010 – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and nuclear nonproliferation. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mehrangiz Kar, December 20, 2009, Rooz Online
Using the Islamic holiday of Ashura for organized protests, Iran’s Green Movement compromised both its core ideology and pacifist approach to political change, writes Mehrangiz Kar. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, December 15, 2009, The Washington Quarterly
The June 2009 presidential elections in Iran left the Obama administration in a quandary with respect to the nation's growing nuclear ambitions. The current consensus among U.S. policymakers favors economic sanctions, but Suzanne Maloney argues that sanctions have not proven effective thus far. Instead, Maloney says that negotiation with Iran should be America's primary policy tool. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, December 15, 2009, House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs
During testimony before the House Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Suzanne Maloney discussed the prospects and implications of U.S. sanctions as a tool for addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Martin S. Indyk, December 11, 2009, The Brookings Institution
From November 14-16, 2009, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted its Sixth Annual Saban Forum titled, "The U.S.-Israel Partnership: Can New Governments Overcome Old Challenges." In this summary trip report, Martin Indyk details the discussions at this year’s forum – the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Iran’s ascendency and nuclear aspirations, and prospects for further negotiations between Iran and Syria. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ömer Taşpınar, December 07, 2009, Today's Zaman
As Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visited the White House on December 7, Ömer Taşpinar reflects on the current challenges facing Turkish-American relations; including Turkey’s close relationship with Iran, its reluctance to send additional troops to Afghanistan and the growing anti-Americanism among the Turkish people. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
On December 2, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted a policy discussion with author and journalist Yaroslav Trofimov, from the Wall Street Journal. The discussion centered on Trofimov’s book, The Siege of Mecca: The Forgotten Uprising in Islam’s Holiest Shrine and the Birth of Al Qaeda, which details the event and its repercussions on the modern-day battle with Al Qaeda. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ömer Taşpınar, November 16, 2009, Today's Zaman
Turkey is often characterized as authoritarian at home and Islamist in its foreign policy, but Ömer Taşpinar argues that upon closer examination, Turkey’s recent foreign policy stances more closely reflect the rules of realpolitik and the need to satisfy public opinion in the context of an electoral democracy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, November 04, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Three decades after Iran seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, igniting a 14-month hostage crisis, Suzanne Maloney examines the current state of power in the Islamic Republic. Maloney says that the recent demonstrations in Iran are an extension of the country's unanswered conversation of legitimate ruling authority, and that responses by hard-liners indicate a belief that any reform would beget revolution. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kenneth M. Pollack, October 02, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Kenneth Pollack says recent discussions between the P5-plus-one and Iran were not earth-shaking, with several questions remaining unanswered in the aftermath. However, Pollack does find it interesting that the Iranians demonstrated some willingness to compromise on small interests and there was no attempt to grandstand at the meeting. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, October 01, 2009, PBS' NewsHour
Iran has agreed to a second round of discussions over its disputed nuclear program following a meeting in Geneva with diplomats from the United States and other world powers. Suzanne Maloney joined PBS' NewsHour to discuss how this week's talks were a positive step and what to expect from future engagement between the United States and Iran. Read More