Middle East Institute

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Our Mission

The Middle East Institute aims to enhance peace, security, and people-to-people ties between the US and the Middle East by providing actionable foreign policy recommendations, rich cultural and educational programming, and opportunities for dialogue, engagement, and exchange.

Policy Experts

Policy Experts

MEI has a deep roster of Fellows and Distinguished Fellows with extensive experience in military, diplomatic, and policy leadership.

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Research & Analysis

Research & Analysis

Read in-depth research, analysis, and commentary from MEI’s fellows and experts on the Middle East.

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture

MEI’s Arts & Culture Center sits at the intersection of culture and policy, providing a platform for a deeper understanding of the Middle East. 

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Read the Middle East Journal

The oldest peer-reviewed publication dedicated to the study of the modern Middle East, MEI’s flagship journal covers politics, society, and culture in the region.

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Featured Events

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MEI Art Gallery – August First Friday Open House
  • Arts & Culture

    • MEI Art Gallery – August First Friday Open House

    Join us at our last First Friday Open House to see our exhibition Beyond the Weave: Contemporary Dialogues with AlSadu.

    August 7, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    MEI Art Gallery - 1763 N St NW, Washington DC 20036

    Sons of Yusuf
  • Arts & Culture
  • Event

    • Sons of Yusuf

    Join us for the closing celebration of MEI's Beyond the Weave exhibition, featuring a live performance by pioneering Kuwaiti hip-hop duo Sons of Yusuf.

    August 7, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

    The MEI Art Gallery, 1763 N St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20036

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    Podcasts

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    Backgrounders

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    What’s behind Sudan’s humanitarian crisis?
  • Video

    • What’s behind Sudan’s humanitarian crisis?

    After the Rapid Support Forces’ seizure of al-Fashir, the capital of the North Darfur State and the last remaining stronghold of the Sudanese army, the conflict in Sudan has once again drawn international attention. This development is the latest in a devastating civil war that has lasted over two years. MEI’s Jehanne Henry unpacks the origins of the conflict, the humanitarian situation on the ground, and what needs to happen in the future.

    November 14, 2025

    OPEC and OPEC+
    Source: Simon Dawson/ Bloomberg via Getty Images
  • Backgrounder

    • OPEC and OPEC+

    This backgrounder provides an overview of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), including its history, structure, and function, and the US government’s approach to the organization.

    November 24, 2025