Middle East Updates: Webcasts, Podcast, and a New Essay on Syria

Lots of recent work from the MENA Initiative. Make sure to stay up to date at www.menaprogra.org.

I recently hosted an interactive webcast on framing a more robust Middle East strategy, presenting a previously unpublished briefing deck that features some of the latest market research and polling and detailing political opportunities for regional policy. The presentation is available online.

Earlier this week I published a new essay on Syria, looking beyond the issue of chemical weapons and exploring ways the U.S. can help non sectarian groups to more effectively coordinate and consolidate power, helping promote the full range of American interests.

For the latest episode of Debrief from The Risk Shift, I sat down with James Sheehan to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria. James and I explore the role that the U.S. can play in rebuilding Syria along with the significance of chemical weapons and the influence of extremist organizations. Listen to the podcast here.

In the latest MENA Chat webcast, I explore the strategy and challenges that underlie U.S. democracy assistance in the Middle East. I am joined by Dr. Sarah Bush, whose recent research provides important insights on possible reforms, and Rebecca Abou-Chedid who draws on her experience in Cairo to discuss some of the ways these dynamics play out in Egypt. Follow this link to view the webcast.

SAVE THE DATE: April 25th at Noon. The MENA Initiative will be hosting a discussion with Shelly Porges, who will have just left the State Department as Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Program. Find more information on this event here.