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Middle East Institute

American Bases in the Gulf: Targets or Deterrents?
  • Analysis
  • American Bases in the Gulf: Targets or Deterrents?

    Did the presence of American military bases in the Gulf monarchies draw those states into the American-Israeli war against Iran, a war they had no say in initiating and no voice in prosecuting? That is certainly the feeling among some citizens of those states.

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    The Latest on War in Iran

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    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.

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    Policy Experts

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

    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

    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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    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.

    Featured Events

    Stories of Belonging: Immigration, Art and Community
  • Arts & Culture
  • April 17, 2026

    Stories of Belonging: Immigration, Art and Community

    Through storytelling, performance, and advocacy, the conversation explores how creative expression can reshape narratives of migration, cultivate a sense of belonging, and challenge dominant portrayals of displacement.

    George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. Lecture Hall Building (Building 34), Lecture Hall 1

    7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

    Podcasts

    Backgrounders

    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