Economies across the Middle East and North Africa are being hit hard by the impact of COVID-19 and sustained low oil prices. Countries are facing myriad economic challenges in the near term as well as a host of medium- and long-term ramifications. Rising unemployment, straitened finances, and the allocation of government resources to combat the virus have prefaced a grim economic future for the region.
What economic problems are countries in the region facing in the short term? How can countries navigate long-term recovery? How can the United States position itself in the Middle East to pursue its own economic goals in the region and promote stability?
The Middle East Institute (MEI) is pleased to host its third event in a series discussing the recently published briefing book, Election 2020: Challenges and Opportunities for US Policy in the Middle East. The briefs in this book offer policy insights from MEI scholars on key issues in the Middle East and serve as a contribution to the broader discussion about the challenges and opportunities for US policy in the region.
Speakers:
Ruba Husari
Non-resident scholar, MEI
Shahrokh Fardoust
Non-resident scholar, MEI; research professor, Global Research Institute, College of William and Mary
Jean-Francois Seznec
Non-resident scholar, MEI
Amb. (ret.) Gerald Feierstein, moderator
Senior vice president, MEI
Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images