I long had the career goal of working for the U.S. government in the mysterious world of intelligence, with a particular focus on counterterrorism. This goal developed early in my life, shaped by experiences during overseas travel, the sense of...
In an article for The Conversation, Ford School professor John Ciorciari described how the events unfolding in Israel and Palestine will likely deepen the struggle for influence in the Middle East between the U.S. and Iran. “The long-standing...
Over the past few years, deepening ideological and strategic divisions in many parts of the globe have suggested the arrival of a new Cold War.
The coming year may reveal much about this new phase of world politics, with profound diplomatic...
Transitional Justice in the Middle East and North Africa, a new Oxford University Press book edited by Chandra Lekha Sriram (University of London), focuses on transitional justice in MENA countries in the wake of the Arab Spring. The book features a...
This April, Bob Axelrod was invited to attend a closed-door workshop at Oxford University's Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict. The focus: The 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.
One year ago, the U.S. and other powerful nations forged an...
Evan Charney (BA '18) is submitting this field report from his summer 2016 internship at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in Washington, DC.This summer I interned as a research assistant at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy...
Robert Axelrod was cited in an op-ed for Science and Religion Today titled, "How Can a Better Understanding of Sacred Values Help Us Resolve Intergroup Conflicts?" The op-ed was written by Scott Atran, a research scientist at the University's...
Robert Axelrod and Scott Atran wrote an op-ed for the New York Times defending their right, as social scientists, to talk to U.S. classified terrorist organizations without threatening national security. The op-ed was written in response to a recent...
After his last "International Security Affairs" class of the fall semester, Bob Axelrod graded student papers, then hurried to the airport to catch a flight to Damascus, the capital city of Syria. His goal: to interview Middle East leaders to better...
Khalil Shikaki and Shai Feldman will discuss how developments such as the 2015 Israeli elections, U.S.-Iranian nuclear deal, and recent Palestinian diplomatic initiatives have affected the dispute and prospects for a peace deal. Each speaker will offer brief remarks, followed by Q&A from the audience.
The International Policy Center hosts Scott Atran (University of Oxford/ CNRS, Paris/ University of Michigan) presents his field research from Europe, North Africa, and the frontlines in the battle with ISIS to make the case that the Devoted Actors' commitment to making costly sacrifices enables low-power groups to endure and often prevail against materially much stronger foes.
Free and open to the public Join the conversation on Twitter: #FordPolicyUnion About the event: The United States has four stated policy goals in the Middle East. 1. Helping Iraqis build a unified, stable, and prosperous country; 2. Renewing progress toward the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict; 3. Working against terrorists and their state sponsors, as well as against the spread of weapons of mass destruction; and 4. Supporting efforts at economic and political reform in the region.
The United States, like all other countries, seeks to advance its most important national security interests abroad. In the Middle East, some U.S. allies and friends have less than stellar human rights records.
This II Round Table brings together four experts to shed light on different aspects of ISIS: its origins, ideology, popular support, and impact on the international system.
John Mearsheimer and Juan Cole debate the U.S. foreign policy towards Israel and the Middle East U.S. foreign policy towards Israel and the Middle East. September, 2013.
Sultan Al Qassemi, scholar, columnist, and influential Twitter commentator talks about the role of social media as a change agent in the Middle East. September, 2011.
This panel discussion focuses on how politics, conflict and oil affect U.S. interests and policies in the greater Middle East region. February 16, 2011.
Lord John Alderdice addresses the value and the limits of 'lessons learnt' from the Irish Peace Process and the problems of implementing them in the Middle East. September, 2010.
