Analysis
Who owns Syria’s cultural heritage?
Political manipulation of cultural heritage is a powerful tool in the armory of soft power, as Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad knows all too well. Non-Resident Scholar Diana Darke takes a closer look at the issue in the first in a series of articles examining and rebutting the shu al-badīl? argument (“What’s the alternative?”) in the run-up to Syria’s presidential elections next June.
Lebanon Then and Now: Photography from 2006 - 2020
Virtual Exhibition Now Open
Lebanon Then and Now is an immersive 360° exhibit at the MEI Art Gallery featuring the works of 17 of Lebanon’s most exciting art and documentary photographers. Originally planned as a physical exhibit, it has been reimagined as a virtual show, on view from July 13 to September 30, 2020.
Photo: "The Next Day," by Blanche Eid, 2019 (courtesy of the artist)
Expanding Knowledge, Narrowing Divides
MEI fosters greater understanding of the Middle East through non-partisan policy analysis, educational services, and promotion of regional arts and culture.
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Examining the EU-Iran-US Triangle
MEI Defense Leadership Series: Episode 8 with DSCA Director Ms. Heidi H. Grant
MEI Art Gallery Closed Temporarily
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the MEI Art Gallery is closed to the public until further notice.
Please visit the Gallery's webpage for virtual exhibitions, webinars, and publications on the region's vibrant and resilient arts scene.
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Establishing spaces for current and former officials and experts to engage in problem-solving dialogues in which they discuss emerging political and security trends in the region, resolution of conflicts, and broader issues related to regional security.
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Looking at the country's security, economic and political developments. It seeks to examine Egypt’s domestic developments and regional role through research, private roundtables and public events.
Latest Publications
China and the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement
Sep 22, 2020On September 15, President Trump presided over a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abdullatif Al Zayani, respectively, signed a general declaration of principles, called “The Abraham Accords.” Numerous analysts have focused on the regional impact of the normalization of relations between Israel and these two Gulf Arab countries. However, this development has worldwide geopolitical implications — including for China.
Iran, the GCC, and the failure of HOPE
Sep 24, 2020
Update from MEI
Despite the physical closure of MEI’s offices on N St. until further notice, MEI’s staff and experts are teleworking and busier than ever. Given our mission to educate and inform, coupled with the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on life in the Middle East, MEI remains committed to providing our readers, viewers and supporters with unique insights, policy analysis and stories of creativity and hope from the region.
What We Do
We seek to promote knowledge of the Middle East in America and strengthen understanding of the United States by the peoples and governments of the region. We believe pursuit of this goal is integral to building a world of peace and stability, in which the people of our two regions value our shared humanity.
Our experts shape diplomatic, legislative, and public discourse through publications, private briefings, testimony, and media.
We provide education and resources to the next generation of global leaders.
Our Center for Arts & Culture promotes a more integrated understanding of the Middle East, forging people-to-people connections and creating a destination for exploring the role of the arts in the region.
We elevate voices from the region in international conversation.
Our international conflict resolution dialogues bring together civil society and political leaders to achieve impact through cooperation both in and outside of the region.