RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Kaufmann, November 18, 2009, The Brookings Institution
In reaction to news of brazen corruption in Afghanistan and the release of the new Corruption Perceptions Index, Daniel Kaufmann asks tough questions about the relationship between aid and corruption and suggests improvements in how development aid effectiveness is reviewed. Read More
PAST EVENT
Saturday, November 14, 2009
to
Monday, November 16, 2009
On November 14-16, 2009, 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 to Jerusalem for discussions on the most critical issues in the Middle East. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Tarik Yousef and Jad Chaaban, November 13, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Tarik Yousef and the Middle East Youth Initiative speak with Jad Chaaban about recent economic and political developments in Lebanon, where Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri ended months of negotiations by announcing a new unity cabinet earlier this week. With impressive overall growth projected for 2009, Lebanon’s economy may emerge stronger from the global crisis if the new government can agree on needed reforms. Read More
PAST EVENT
Monday, November 09, 2009
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
On November 9, the Brookings Doha Center hosted a policy discussion with H.E. Mohamad Chatah, the Lebanese minister of finance, H.E. Ghassan Khatib, director of the Palestinian Government Media Center, and H.E. Ayad Al Samarrai, speaker of the Iraqi Parliament on the project of inclusive national dialogue and state-building in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, and Iraq. The speakers examined past and current nationally-driven conflict resolution efforts. Read More
BOOK
Navtej Dhillon and Tarik Yousef, November 01, 2009
Young people in the Middle East (15--29 years old) constitute about one-third of the region's population. Generation in Waiting portrays their plight, urging greater investment designed to improve the lives of this critical group. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Peter W. Singer, October 29, 2009, Future Horizons
Amidst growing use of robotics in warfare, Peter Singer explores the future of unmanned systems in the Middle East and South Asia. Singer concludes that while the United States remains -- and likely will remain -- the top developer of such technology, it is only a matter of time before other nations begin deploying robotics in large numbers. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Raj M. Desai, October 23, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Although violence in Iraq has decreased, Raj Desai states other transitions are needed before U.S. businesses feel comfortable about the Iraqi investment climate. In addition to security, Desai offers three sets of fundamental reforms to convince investors that Iraq is really "open for business." Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Cynthia P. Schneider and Nadia Oweidat , October 13, 2009, Anderson Cooper 360 Blog
Cynthia Schneider and Nadia Oweidat write that the Arab world is rich in literature examining all aspects of Arab life and advocating a vision of a multi-cultural society that respects human rights. Rather than manufacturing its own messages, Schneider and Oweidat believe the United States should support a return to standards of critical thinking that once characterized the Arab world. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, October 01, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
On October 1, Shibley Telhami, Saban Center nonresident senior fellow and Anwar Sadat professor for peace and development at the University of Maryland, presented results of the 2009 University of Maryland/Zogby International opinion poll, conducted in August 2009, that surveyed Israeli Arabs and Palestinian public opinion. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Djavad Salehi-Isfahani , September 30, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Iranian officials agreed in principle with the United States and five other international powers in Geneva to export their uranium enrichment program in exchange for a halt in UN sanctions action. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani argues that sanctions would be the wrong choice anyway. Existing sanctions have had no discernible effect on Iran's nuclear policy, and harsher sanctions may actually strengthen President Ahmadinejad's populist control of the economy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Cynthia P. Schneider, September 28, 2009, The Brookings Institution
In a recent speech in Cairo, President Obama advocated "a new way forward," based on mutual interest and mutual respect in relationships between the United States and Muslim communities across the globe. Cynthia Schneider explains the important role arts, culture, and the media can play in building these relationships and fostering positive social change. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Tarik Yousef and Hassan Hakimian, September 23, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Saudi Arabia will join other Group of Twenty (G-20) nations this week to address the global economic recovery. In a discussion with the Middle East Youth Initiative, expert economist Hassan Hakimian explains that the government’s stimulus budget has helped to cushion the country from the worst effects of the recession. Yet, the long-term challenges of developing the non-oil, private sector and harnessing human capital remain. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Tarik Yousef and Ragui Assaad, September 22, 2009, The Brookings Institution
As leaders from the Group of Twenty (G-20) nations prepare to meet to take stock of the world's economy, the Middle East finds itself increasingly influenced by global trends and policies. Brookings expert Tarik Yousef and professor Ragui Assaad discuss Egypt's responses to the downturn and its future role in the global economy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Anouar Boukhars, September 22, 2009, Common Ground News Service
Brookings Doha Visiting Fellow Anouar Boukhars examines recent commentary that the Obama administration is distancing itself from democracy promotion in the Middle East. Boukhars finds that these claims are largely untrue, and points to examples of continued funding political reform as well as why some goals of the Bush administration needed amendment. Read More