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Shahmahmood Miakhel is the Country Director in Afghanistan for the US Institute of Peace (USIP). Prior to that he was a Governance Advisor for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and, from 2003–2005, a Deputy Minister of the Interior in the Government of Afghanistan. In 1994–1995 he worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in South and Southeast Afghanistan helping to establish District Rehabilitation Shuras (DRS). He also worked as a reporter for the Pashto service of the Voice of America from 1985–1990.
Originally posted October 2010
It is well documented that conflict creates new vulnerabilities for students that negatively impact their learning.
Women’s education in the Arab world has increased substantially in the last several decades, both in absolute terms and relative to men. However, when looking at the Arab world, understanding that there are vast differences culturally, politically, and socially among the countries is essential. This essay looks at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where women share a similar cultural and socio-economic context.
In Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States has vastly expanded its use of contractors in conflict zones without serious consideration of their strategic impact. While the presnece of contractors is not new, the number and types of tasks they are executing is. This discussion will examine what is good about contractors, what problems they cause and then the largely unexamined strategic impact of contractors — both armed and unarmed — on current and future conflicts. It concludes with policy recommendations for the use of contractors in future conflicts.
Speaker: Thomas Hammes
Dr. Yigal Kipnis, an Israeli author, geographer, historian, and leading expert on the Israeli-Syrian conflict over the Golan Heights will discuss the current state of Israeli settlements on the Golan, and related topics.
Opening Remarks
Speakers: Amb. Edward "Skip" Gnehm, Amb. Elizabeth McKune, Dr. Michael Brown, Dr. Steven Knapp
Keynote Address: Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud al Busaidiyah
Speakers: Amb. Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy, Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud al Busaidiyah
Keynote Address: Amb. William Burns
Speaker: Amb. Edward "Skip" Gnehm, Amb. William Burns
Political Development Panel
Speakers: Dr. Harith Ghassany, Dr. Samira Moosa, Dr. Gregory Gause, moderated by Frank Sesno
The Middle East Institute is proud to host Ambassador Robert E. Hunter, Senior Adviser at the RAND Corporation, to present a new study that lays out the criteria and parameters for a new security structure for the Persian Gulf region. His recent study, Building Security in the Persian Gulf, makes recommendations for a new security structure for the region in order to promote long-term stability while also reducing
The Middle East Institute is proud to host Marvin Weinbaum, scholar at the Middle East Institute, and Caroline Wadhams, Director for South Asia Security Studies at the Center for American Progress, for a discussion on the outcomes and impact of the recent parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. Recently returned from Afghanistan, where
The government formation stalemate in Iraq—well into its seventh month and counting—may at last be nearing an end. The next few weeks could seal a deal between rival electoral blocs that will produce the next national government.
Two scenarios with very different outcomes appear to be jockeying for rail position in the race to produce the next Prime Minister.
The Middle East Institute is pleased to host Dr. Thomas O'Donnell,
lecturer in Graduate International Affairs at the New School in New
York, for a discussion on China's perception of the Iranian nuclear
issue. Drawing on his expertise in the global energy system, Dr.
O'Donnell will examine why Beijing, which was initially and very
vocally opposed to UN sanctions, ended up voting in favor of them. He
will outline the energy-security nexus underlying China's interests in
