RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris, July 02, 2009, International Association for the Study of Forced Migration Annual Conference, Nicosia, Cyprus
Recently discussion has turned to the prospects for the large-scale return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Iraq. More than 4 million Iraqis have been displaced, either internally or externally. And while the Iraqi and US governments, policymakers in the region, and humanitarian actors assume that most will return to Iraq in the near future, Elizabeth Ferris points out that experience with other displacement crises indicates that return will be neither automatic nor straightforward. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bilal Y. Saab, May 06, 2009, Jane's Foreign Report
The joint Turkish-Syrian exercise and the subsequent military technical agreement show further deepening of bilateral relations between Turkey and Syria. Bilal Saab examines the regional context within which the military exercise was conducted and analyzes its implications for each country and the Middle East. He concludes that Turkish-Syrian relations still fall short of a strategic alliance. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, March 20, 2009
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
On March 20, the Saban Center hosted Itamar Rabinovich, Charles and Andrea Bronfman Distinguished Visiting Fellow, to present a comprehensive analysis of the interaction of American, Israeli, and Syrian policies over the last three decades. He was joined by Frederic Hof, CEO of Armitage Associates, L.C. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bilal Y. Saab, March 19, 2009, Jane’s Foreign Report
The recent high-level meeting between U.S. and Syrian officials in Damascus effectively ends recent U.S. policy of isolating Syria. Bilal Saab examines this dialogue and the future of U.S.-Syria relations. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Itamar Rabinovich, March 02, 2009, The Brookings Institution
In this Saban Center Analysis Paper, Itamar Rabinovich examines the history of the U.S.-Syrian relationship and the Israeli-Syrian conflict to offer policy options for the Obama Administration. Rabinovich presents a comprehensive analysis of American, Israeli, and Syrian interests that accounts for the successes and shortcomings of U.S. and Israeli engagements with Syria over the past three decades. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Hady Amr and Elizabeth Ferris, February 16, 2009, Human Development Task Force, U.S.-Islamic World Forum
Throughout the Muslim world, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes and communities for many reasons, including both conflicts and natural disasters. This massive displacement of people affects both national development plans and individual human development, affecting relationships between countries, UN Security Council discussions, and peace processes. In short, as Hady Amr and Elizabeth Ferris argue, understanding—and resolving—displacement is central to development, peace, and security. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris, December 19, 2008, Returning Home in Iraq: Housing, Land and Property Issues, USIP Seminar
As violent incidents decrease in Iraq and as US combat troops prepare to withdraw, expectations will grow that Iraqis will return to their communities in growing numbers. In fact, UN Officials and political leaders in Iraq, the region, and the US have always expected that return will be the durable solution for Iraqi IDPs and refugees without giving serious consideration to other options. For returns to be successful, the government of Iraq and the international community need to learn from the lessons of other mass returns of displaced populations and refugees. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard Haass and Martin S. Indyk, December 17, 2008, Financial Times
President Barack Obama will face a series of challenges in the Middle East demanding urgent attention: an Iraq that could still unravel, an Iran approaching the nuclear threshold, a faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and weak governments in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Martin Indyk and Richard Haass outline what the initial goals of the Obama administration should be in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard N. Haass and Martin S. Indyk, December 11, 2008, Foreign Affairs
Martin Indyk and Richard Haass argue to be successful in the Middle East, the Obama administration will need to move beyond Iraq, find ways to deal constructively with Iran, and forge a final-status Israeli-Palestinian agreement. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, December 05, 2008
to
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Washington, DC
On December 5-7, in the month before the new U.S. administration enters office, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings brought together top Israeli and American policymakers, journalists, and members of the public and private sectors, as well as leaders from Britain and Turkey to discuss the most critical issues in the Middle East. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard Haass and Martin S. Indyk, December 02, 2008, Charlie Rose Show
Martin Indyk and Richard Haass joined Charlie Rose to discuss the newly released Saban Center at Brookings-Council on Foreign Relations book Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President. They highlighted three major foreign policy challenges in the region that President-elect Obama will need to focus on and detailed some of the recommendations found within the book. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard N. Haass and Martin S. Indyk, December 02, 2008, Brookings Institution Press
Martin Indyk and Richard Haass note that President-elect Obama will face a series of critical, complex, and interrelated challenges in the Middle East that will demand his immediate attention: an Iran apparently intent on approaching or crossing the nuclear threshold as quickly as possible; a fragile situation in Iraq that is straining the U.S. military; weak governments in Lebanon and Palestine under challenge from stronger Hezbollah and Hamas militant organizations; a faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and American influence diluted by a severely damaged reputation. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Navtej Dhillon, Nader Kabbani and Taher Kanaan, December 01, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Jordan and Syria have recently faced similar economic challenges such as absorbing large numbers of Iraqi refugees and fighting high inflation. Yet the global economic slowdown may have unique implications for development and reform in each country, as Taher Kanaan and Nader Kabbani reveal in interviews with the Middle East Youth Initiative’s Navtej Dhillon. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bilal Y. Saab, November 17, 2008, Jane’s Foreign Report
Bilal Saab analyzes Syria's relations with the West as well as its Middle East neighbors. Saab argues that though U.S.-Syrian relations have been dismal throughought recent history, there is potential for improvement under a new U.S. president. 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