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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.
Introduction to The State of the Arts in the Middle East: Volume V
This edition of MEI Viewpoints features essays that shed light on the relationship between artistic production and changing societal conditions and norms. Clayton Keir discusses “rap” music in Iran – its integration of Western and Persian cultural influences, politics, and popularity. Brigid Maher reflects on the making of Veiled Voices, her award-winning documentary film that profiles three female Muslim religious leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.
Introduction to The State of the Arts in the Middle East: Volume VI: Creative Arab Women
Creative Arab Women is the sixth edition of the MEI Viewpoints series on the State of the Arts in the Middle East. The 14 essays in this collection offer a glimpse into the rich and varied cultural output of Arab women in the region and the diaspora. Partly reminiscences and partly calls to action, they are essays of survival and empowerment that add a deeply personal dimension to the subject of the role of Arab women as cultural producers. MEI is grateful to Dr.
The Middle East Institute is proud to host Thomas W. Donovan, an expert in Iraqi business law, specializing in international investment. Drawing upon his background as a corporate attorney and managing partner of the Iraq Law Alliance, PLLC, Mr. Donovan will discuss the particular nuances of doing business in post-war Iraq and how the 2009 Status of Forces Agreement may change the way in which international investors interact with their Iraqi partners. Mr.
The Middle East Institute is proud to host distinguished academic and author Dr. Akbar Ahmed for a discussion of his latest book, Journey into America: the Challenge of Islam, a comprehensive study of the American-Muslim community. Dr. Ahmed will discuss the results of the research conducted by his team as they traveled to over 75 cities and 100 mosques across the United States to discover what Muslims are thinking, what they are reading, and how they are living every day in America. Among the questions his team asked include, "Can we expect an increase in homegrown terrorism?
The Middle East Institute is proud to host Justin Dargin, research fellow at the Dubai Initiative, for a discussion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Gulf and the pursuit of an effective carbon trading plan. Dargin will also examine the effect which this hot-button issue has upon the region's geopolitical relations, energy efficiency, natural gas utilization, renewable energy, and conservation of natural resources.
The last five years of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be summed up in one word: Gaza.
Israel’s lethal raid on the flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza is part of a recurring theme that goes like this: Gaza wallows in dysfunction. Tensions steadily build. A confrontation erupts. Every major crisis between the Israelis and the Palestinians in recent years has revolved around Gaza—the overcrowded, impoverished strip of sand squeezed between Israel and the Mediterranean.
The Middle East Institute, the Foundation for Middle East Peace, Churches for Middle East Peace, and Americans for Peace Now invite you to a presentation and discussion featuring Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Executive Director, Rabbis for Human Rights-Israel. RHR-Israel works to prevent human rights violations in Israel and the Occupied Territories, and to bring human rights grievances to the attention of the Israeli public through education and advocacy.
The Middle East Institute is proud to host Paul Salem, Director of Carnegie's Middle East Center in Beirut, for a talk about the domestic and regional challenges facing Lebanon. He will examine the conditions for stability and the risks of war, and will assess prospects for political reform.
United States Will Pay a Heavy Price for the Gaza Flotilla Incident
Asserting its need to be secure from future terrorism launched from Gaza, Israel used force last week to maintain a blockade that has been creating a humanitarian cataclysm for the people of Gaza. In the early days following the attack on the aid flotilla, the Israeli military interpretation of events dominated much of the popular media coverage in the United States. Gradually, though, attention shifted to the incident’s negative impact on Israel’s international standing and the security implications of continued international and regional uproar.
