Our Mission


To increase knowledge of the Middle East among citizens of the United States and to promote a better understanding between the people of these two areas

What We Do


Watch this short video to learn about MEI's mission, its unique structure, and the variety of services it provides.

Our Story


In 1946, inspired by his experiences in the Middle East prior to World War II, architect and veteran George Camp Keiser gathered a group of scholars, ambassadors, professors, and politicians to establish an institution for the study of the Middle East. Keiser and his colleagues envisioned a center of learning where leaders from disparate fields could converge and collaborate in order, in the words of our corporate charter, “to increase knowledge of the Middle East among citizens of the United States and to promote a better understanding between the peoples of these two areas.”

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Our Work


The Middle East Institute is leading the way for a new kind of think tank: one that thrives on the intersection of policy and culture. Our centers reflect our dedication to promoting understanding of the region through a wider lens.

 

Policy Center

A source for non-partisan expert analysis seeking solutions to the region’s most challenging issues

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Education Center

Classes, academic resources, and professional development services to foster regional understanding

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Arts & Culture Center

D.C.’s only gallery dedicated to contemporary and modern art from the Middle East

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Our Leadership

Annual Reports


The Middle East Institute makes available its annual audited financial information including contributions, Form 990, financial statements, and annual reports. For more information about the Middle East Institute's funding, visit our Public Disclosures and Funding page, or click here to learn about our intellectual independence and donor policies.

2022 Annual Report

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2021 Annual Report

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2020 Annual Report

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2019 Annual Report

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2018 Annual Report

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2013 Annual Report

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2012 Annual Report

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2010 Annual Report

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2009 Annual Report

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2008 Annual Report

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2007 Annual Report

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2006 Annual Report

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2005 Annual Report

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