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Center for Middle East Public Policy

The RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy (CMEPP) provides expertise on the Middle East. CMEPP analysts are in touch with political, social, economic, and technological developments in and around the region. Through research and analysis, CMEPP helps public and private decision makers solve problems, tackle challenges, and identify ways to make society safer, smarter, and more prosperous.

More »CMEPP in the News

RAND Experts Available To Discuss Possible Abbas Resignation and Palestinian Issues — Nov. 6, 2009

boy holding Palestinian flag, photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/rustystewart/300021362/

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has indicated that he may not seek reelection, which could affect efforts to secure stability in the Middle East. Today RAND released the conclusions drawn from a series of exercises that examined the challenges of the Arab-Israeli conflict – and of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in particular.

Our Man in Kabul — Nov. 4, 2009

Afghani village men, photo courtesy of defenseimagery.mil/Gay

Abdullah Abdullah was the first Afghan to suggest Hamid Karzai should become president of Afghanistan, however he cautioned that his view was not shared by all his comrades in the alliance as discussed in this commentary by James Dobbins that appeared in Foreignaffairs.com.

U.S. Policy in Afghanistan: Basic Questions — Strategic Choices — Oct. 29, 2009

Daily Life in Afghanistan, Photo courtesy of Boston.com

On October 29, 2009, the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy convened a half-day symposium of experts — including Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Ambassador James Dobbins, Senator Carl Levin, and others — and journalists to address assumptions and alternatives for U.S. policy in Afghanistan.

Karzai's Second Term a Test for International Community — Nov. 3, 2009

Afghan President Hamid Karzai at press conference in presidential palace, photo courtesy of defensei

To establish control in Afghanistan, two major elements of reform are necessary. First, Karzai needs to rein in the large-scale corruption that threatens the country and he must convince local Taliban leaders to change sides and support the government as discussed by Terrence K. Kelly in this commentary for RAND.org.

Keeping Our Allies on Our Side in Afghanistan — Nov. 2, 2009

U.S. Marines train in Afghanistan, photo courtesy of defenseimagery.mil/Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

NATO allies provide a vital part of the forces available in Afghanistan. This fact must not be ignored when the U.S. administration consults with its allies as discussed in this commentary by Leo Michel and Robert E. Hunter that in Los Angeles Times.

Fighting Terror the Cold War Way — Oct. 14, 2009

statue from Kish island Dariush grand hotel, Iran - photo courtesy of Flickr/nIma

The U.S. may have more success in turning public opinion in the Middle East if it considers the successful efforts used during the Cold War to inject art and culture into these societies, thereby eroding the power of the intolerant regimes. The rich culture of the Arab world, which still exists, could be nurtured to promote tolerance and reform, as discussed in this commentary by Todd C. Helmus and Dalia Dassa Kaye for Foreignpolicy.com.

The Great Silencing: Intolerance and Censorship in the Arab World — Oct. 13, 2009

Muslim woman gets blood pressure taken by another amid U.S. military

The Arab world has a rich culture of literature, enlightenment, and tolerance that has experienced censorship in recent years. The western world, though, would be well advised to not attempt to script Arab thought in this area, but would better push to ensure that the voices of tolerance are once again provided more visibility, as discussed in this commentary by Cynthia P. Schneider and Nadia Oweidat for CNN.com.

 

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