The Middle East Institute (MEI) is a private, non-profit, nonpartisan institution working to increase knowledge of the Middle East among citizens of the United States and to promote a better understanding of the people of these two areas. MEI is not affiliated or aligned with any domestic or foreign political party, institution, or government. The Institute aims to contribute to crafting better policy to the benefit of the people of the Middle East and the United States, and in the general interest of peace, human security, prosperity, and improved governance. MEI’s intellectual independence and the integrity of its research and recommendations are central to this mission.
MEI maintains strict intellectual independence in all of its projects and publications. All work produced or published by MEI represents solely the opinions and views of its scholars. MEI as an organization does not adopt or advocate positions on particular issues. Instead, it serves as a convener and forum for discussion and debate, and it regularly publishes and presents a variety of views.
MEI and its staff and scholars generate their own ideas and programming, consistent with the Institute’s mission. Scholars retain complete research independence. MEI’s policies safeguard this independence and do not allow for outside parties or donors to influence their research or policy recommendations.
MEI accepts funding only from donors who value its expertise and accept its independence. It maintains complete control of the content and conclusions of all products resulting from sponsored projects. MEI also discloses all sources of financial support in its annual reports and on an annual list of donors posted to its website to ensure transparency.