RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Navtej Dhillon and Hassan Hakimian, February 25, 2009, The Brookings Institution
While King Abdullah's recent Cabinet shake-up makes headlines, the country is also confronting a volatile global economy in advance of London's G-20 summit. With oil prices slumping, Navtej Dhillon and Hassan Hakimian analyze whether Saudi Arabia can maintain its strong economic position and continue to create jobs for its youth population. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, December 15, 2008, Survival
The escalation in the price of oil over the past seven years has allowed the Middle East and Gulf states to reap an incredible windfall. The oil boom has neither saved nor doomed the Middle East, but rather opened new possibilities and heightened existing problems. Suzanne Maloney argues that international interest in ensuring the free flow of energy resources should prompt serious efforts by Washington and other capitals to enhance regional integration, encourage meaningful reform and promote long-term cooperation in cultivating a more stable, prosperous and sustainable future for the Middle East. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani , October 21, 2008, The Brookings Institution
In the first commentary in the series, Food, Fuel, and Finance: How Will the Middle East Weather the Global Economic Crisis? Djavad Salehi-Isfahani examines how declining oil prices will affect government spending and youth-targeted development in the region. Compared to the 1980’s oil price collapse, today’s policy-makers face a more complex set of challenges, including a volatile global economy and large numbers of unemployed youth. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kenneth M. Pollack, July 13, 2008, The New York Times
Kenneth Pollack explores the idea that profits from record high oil prices may lead to a new era of diversified economies and employment in the Middle East. Pollack believes the idea is incorrect, because even though there is more money coming in, it is not being spent where it is most needed. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Navtej Dhillon, Jad Chaaban and Tarik Yousef, June 26, 2008, The Brookings Institution
According to a recent study by the Middle East Youth Initiative, the region loses $25 billion a year due to youth unemployment. Navtej Dhillon, MEYI Director/Fellow, Jad Chaaban, Assistant Professor at American University of Beirut, and Tarik Yousef, Brookings Senior Fellow and Dean of the Dubai School of Government, discuss country statistics and regional policy implications. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
In the context of the recently released Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007 and the Trafficking in Persons Report 2008 by the United States Department of State, the Brookings Doha Center, a Project of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, organized a policy discussion with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Erica Barks-Ruggles, to speak on the subject of human rights in the Gulf. Read More
PAST EVENT
Monday, May 26, 2008
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Doha, Qatar,
On May 26, 2008, The Brookings Doha Center, a project of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, hosted Dr. Brad Setser, Council on Foreign Relations Fellow at the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, for a policy luncheon. The discussion focused on the rapid growth of Sovereign Wealth Funds throughout the world and their financial impact on world markets and U.S. policy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani , May 23, 2008, Congressional staff briefing hosted by Security for a New Century
In recent remarks at a Congressional staff briefing hosted by Security for a New Century, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani addressed current trends in Iran’s economy. He noted that high levels of investment, an increasingly active private sector, low poverty levels, and a lively public debate on the economy provide hope for long-term stability and development. Yet high levels of youth unemployment, especially among women, and weak institutions remain areas for concern. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
David B. Sandalow, May 22, 2008, House Committee on Foreign Affairs
As gasoline prices continue to set new records, David Sandalow recently testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the national security threats posed by rising oil prices. Drawing from his book Freedom from Oil, Sandalow emphasized the potential for plug-in electric vehicles to help solve the problem.” Read More
PAST EVENT
Monday, May 12, 2008
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
On May 12, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy held a forum to discuss rising oil prices and the affects on the Gulf States. Featured speakers Fareed Mohamedi and Jean-Francois Seznec joined moderator and Brookings Senior Fellow Suzanne Maloney to debate the issues. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Tamara Cofman Wittes and Isobel Coleman, April 09, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Tamara Cofman Wittes and Isobel Coleman met with business leaders, academics, journalists, and civic activists in Saudi Arabia. Among their key findings are that many Saudis welcomed the emergence of a more open atmosphere, pointing to King Abdullah’s ascension to the throne, dynamism in neighboring Gulf states, and a new “post-post-9/11” environment as key catalysts for the change. Yet, there was frustration at the unpredictability and arbitrariness of the newly expanded social and political space. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, March 21, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Five years into war in Iraq, Suzanne Maloney assesses the changed and growing relationship between Iraq and Iran. She concludes that Iran's investments in Iraq reflect the fact that Tehran has an interest in ensuring a friendly government in Baghdad, and that the U.S. will have to utilize new approaches to contain Iran. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, March 13, 2008
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Washington, DC
In its seventh session, the Crisis in the Middle East Task Force addressed the topic “Is Energy Independence the Answer to the Problems of the Middle East?” This session, hosted by the Saban Center for Middle East Policy on March 13, 2008, considered both the possibilities and the ramifications of decreasing U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, December 20, 2007
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
Dr. Gary Samore of the Council on Foreign Relations presented ideas on the technical significance of the recently released National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran and its implications for diplomatic efforts to prevent or delay Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Flynt L. Leverett, January 24, 2006, The New York Times
Opinion by Flynt L. Leverett, New York Times (1/24/06) Read More