Middle East Institute

Donald Trump's return to the White House has sparked debate in Tehran over whether to pursue negotiations with his administration. Despite Supreme Leader #Khamenei's?deep distrust of US intentions?— rooted in decades of fraught relations?— some #Iranian commentators argue Trump's strong mandate could offer a rare chance for a mutually beneficial deal. MEI's Alex Vatanka explores the dynamics shaping #Tehran's potential strategy.

As the #US competes with #China in the global race for #AI supremacy, regional players like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as key partners in shaping the future of AI innovation. MEI's Vincent Carchidi and Mohammed Soliman offer recommendations on how the US can strengthen its strategy by leveraging these alliances and securing a competitive edge in AI development.

How might US-Israeli relations evolve under the Trump administration? Find out on this week’s Middle East Focus podcast with MEI’s Senior Fellow for Israeli Affairs, Nimrod Goren and Ilai Saltzman, Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland, moderated by MEI’s Alistair Taylor. To listen to the full episode, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/dcmYmsvh

"To abandon the mission now would bring no meaningful benefit to the US, but it would swiftly and significantly empower America’s adversaries, like ISIS, Iran, Russia, and Assad’s regime," argues MEI's Charles Lister. https://lnkd.in/eT2kfReY

How might US-Israeli relations evolve under the Trump administration? Dr. Ilai Saltzman and I speak at the Middle East Institute podcast, hosted by Alistair Taylor, on potential shifts in US policy, the outlook for Israeli politics in 2025, and the challenges to advancing peace on the Israeli-Palestinian front. You're welcome to listen: https://lnkd.in/dahsikgj

In today’s political climate, the effectiveness of peacemaking processes and the role of UN mediators is increasingly relevant.?Fadi Nicholas N.'s new book explores key takeaways from the UN’s mediation efforts in Syria and their relevance to peacemaking in the world today. For more information visit: https://lnkd.in/e9R5TmDM

After a year of hard work, my colleague Vincent Carchidi and I are thrilled to release our report, "The Role of the Middle East in the US-China Race to AI Supremacy." In the report, we tackle two pressing questions:?? 1. How can AI supremacy—a concept often undefined and misunderstood—be concretely defined??? 2. What strategic steps should the U.S. take to strengthen its position in the global AI race?? We also analyze the growing involvement of Middle Eastern nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia in AI, assessing their ambitions to develop robust AI ecosystems and compete for regional leadership.? Five strategic recommendations for the U.S. to achieve AI supremacy:?? ?1. Increased federal funding for basic AI research.?? ?2. Expanded support for STEM education and vocational training.?? ?3. Policies to foster AI commercialization.?? 4. A proactive multilateral export control regime.?? ?5. U.S. leadership in global AI governance.? I am incredibly proud of the work Middle East Institute's Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security Program and its previous and current scholars continue to do. We’re incredibly proud to be at the forefront of understanding and showcasing the region’s emerging tech landscape. When the program first started years ago, it felt like a monumental task—telling the region's story beyond conflict news was and still is a major challenge. #China #AI #SaudiArabia #UAE #ExportControls Susan E. Saxton, Ph.D. Paul Salem Alistair Taylor Brian Katulis Robert Fardi Firas Maksad Bassant Hassib Suhayla Sibaai Alicia Chavy Andrew Hanna Niranjan Shankar Elene Janadze Niranjan Shankar https://lnkd.in/eBVu3iMc

Had the pleasure to convene today Israeli & Jordanian friends and colleagues - Amb. (ret.) Dr. Omar Rifai, Col. (res.) Ron Shatzberg, Yana Abu Taleb and Smadar Perry - for a joint virtual discussion at the Middle East Institute on 30 years of Israel-Jordan peace. We discussed past successes, current crises, and hope for a better future. Israel-Jordan peace is a staretgic asset for both countries and has much unfulfilled potential. You're invited to watch the webinar: https://lnkd.in/dtcrRAgz

US admin official, “optimism ebbed & flowed yesterday as details were being negotiated.” #Hezbollah full disarmament is not on the table. Enforcement mechanisms largely confined to south #Lebanon. Even if #Israel accepts current draft, 60-day interim period will be a crucial test. CNN / Middle East Institute

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Syria's prolonged crisis remains a critical yet overlooked battleground in the struggle for regional stability. From rising hostilities and humanitarian disasters to Hezbollah's entrenched influence, MEI's Charles Lister explores why Syria's "frozen conflict" is anything but static.