BOOK
Richard N. Haass and Martin S. Indyk, November 01, 2008
Experts propose a new, nonpartisan Middle East strategy drawing on the lessons of past failures to address both the short-term and long-term challenges to U.S. interests. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
October 2008, The Brookings Institution
America’s 44th president will take office at a moment of consequential global challenges that require leadership and cooperation. In a new report, Brookings experts identify and rank the top 10 global economic issues faced by the next U.S. president and propose policy recommendations to help guide the new administration. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris, October 02, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Provincial elections are an important step toward national reconciliation in Iraq, but steps must be taken to ensure that the displaced— both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs)— are able to participate. Despite the passage of the provincial elections law, there are no provisions for Iraqis living outside the country to vote, meaning that close to 10% of Iraq's populatioin will be disenfranchised, with serious consequences for the legitimacy of the elections. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Navtej Dhillon, Amina Fahmy and Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, October 01, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Navtej Dhillon, Amina Fahmy, and Djavad Salehi-Isfahani discuss the troubled state of Egypt’s education system, demonstrated most recently by the organized leaking of national exams. Growing frustration among parents and students can be remedied by reforming signals from the labor market and university admissions policies. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Navtej Dhillon, September 22, 2008, The Brookings Institution
In the wake of the attack on the U.S. embassy in Sana’a, Yemen, Navtej Dhillon emphasizes that human development, resource management, and the productive use of a fast growing youth population are of utmost importance to Yemen’s future, the poorest country in the Arab world. The international community must now do more than ever to invest in sustainable economic development and institutional capacity-building to ensure the country’s prosperity and stability. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bilal Y. Saab, Fall 2008, Middle East Policy Council Journal
Bilal Saab provides an examination of the true nature of Hezbollah, which he argues is an essential pre-requisite for sound policy making toward the organization. He recommends a rethinking of the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament through a proper assessment of the challenge it poses and a thorough understanding of its organic connection with Iran. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bilal Y. Saab and Bruce Riedel, September 12, 2008, Haaretz
As tensions between Syria and Israel remain high, Bruce Riedel and Bilal Saab believe that the indirect negotiations which began last May between the countries have gone as far as they can. Now, they argue, it is time for direct talks between the countries with the United States as a mediator. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel, September 10, 2008, The American Academy of Political and Social Science
Bruce Riedel joined the Philadephia Inquirer's Trudy Rubin to discuss terrorism related to Pakistan and what the United States should do in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kenneth M. Pollack, September 09, 2008, The American Academy of Political and Social Science
Kenneth Pollack joined the Philadephia Inquirer's Trudy Rubin to discuss the long-term impact of the Iraq war on al Qaeda and what the future involvement of the United States should be in the region. Read More
PAST EVENT
Monday, September 08, 2008
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
On Monday, September 8, Khalil Al-Anani spoke about the role Islamist movements in the Arab world. His research explores the potential benefits of US engagement with Islamist groups and the most productive means by which the US can influence these groups to play a constructive role in political development in their countries.
Read MorePAST EVENT
Friday, September 05, 2008
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Washington, DC
The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack for a discussion of his book A Path Out of the Desert: A Grand Strategy for America in the Middle East. In the book, Pollack offers a long-term strategy to improve the political, economic and social problems that underlie the region’s many crises. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Khalil Al-Anani, September 02, 2008, Daily News Egypt
Khalil Al-Anani outlines the contours of Egypt’s liberal movement. He concludes that most of Egypt’s liberals are unwilling to pay the price of pushing for real reform in the country. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris, August 2008, Viewpoints
Most of those writing about future scenarios for Iraq rarely mention the fate of the five million displaced Iraqis, but when they do, they seem to assume that once security and political progress in Iraq are achieved, the refugees and interanlly displaced persons (IDPs) will return to their communities and life will go on. Unfortunately, even in the best of political scenarios, it is unlikely to be so straightforward. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Roberta Cohen, Fall 2008, American University International Law Review, Vol. 24, Issue 2
Refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are hardly a new phenomenon for Iraq. Under Saddam Hussein's regime, forced displacement was a deliberate state policy and a tool used to subdue recalcitrant populations and punish political opponents. The U.S. invasion and the toppling of Saddam Hussein, far from resolving the problem however, made it worse. The ensuing sectarian violence and armed conflict increased the number of those forced to flee their homes. For these 4.7 million Iraqis, assistance has remained difficult to find. A combination of national and international steps need to be taken. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Hady Amr, August 28, 2008, Gulf News
Hady Amr reflects on the Beijing Olympics and the lack of major success in these games by athletes living in the Muslim world. He argues that there should be a concerted effort to encourage youth to strive for greatness and inspire others to compete in the Olympiads of the future. Read More