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One of the most frequently cited journals on the Middle East in the field of international affairs, Middle East Policy has been engaging thoughtful minds for more than 40 years with high-quality, diverse analysis on the region.
August 2021
August was a busy month at the Middle East Policy Council, featuring live C-SPAN coverage of our Afghanistan briefing with MEPC Board Member Amb. Ron Neumann and recognition of our world-renowned journal, Middle East Policy, by the Observatory of International Research.
MEPC continues to shed light on breaking news and analysis from the Middle East via Straight from the Source as well as providing new free content online in our eight focus areas: governance, climate & energy, conflict & security, cybersecurity, education, public health, WMDs/non-proliferation and the Biden administration. Here are some other highlights:
Understanding the Afghanistan Withdrawal
MEPC Board Member & former Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann spoke on C-SPAN with MEPC Executive Director Bassima Alghussein about prospects for Taliban rule and how the U.S. might contain the terrorist threat without a presence on the ground in Afghanistan. You can access the full video from this discussion here and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more quality content.
Social Media Impact
Our world-renowned journal Middle East Policy was recognized by the Observatory of International Research as being a top 10 journal followed on Twitter, demonstrating its continued global impact in its 40th anniversary year. Subscribe to our journal here and follow the Council on Twitter for new content releases, event invitations and more news from the MEPC.
MEPC in the Media
The Council’s senior leadership were frequently on U.S. and Middle Eastern media outlets during the month of August, including the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, SkyNews Arabia, Asharq TV and more. These appearances helped audiences decipher the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the latest on the Iran nuclear deal, and what to expect from Oman’s Sultan Haitham. You can review these media appearances here.
Policy & the Pandemic
MEPC continues to engage with senior policymakers across government to gain unique insights into the inter-agency response to Covid-19 in the Middle East. In early August, MEPC conducted an in-depth conversation with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Richard Albright from the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration on how the pandemic has impacted refugee aid. MEPC also conducted a conversation with senior USAID official Monica Villanueva who coordinates the Covid-19 response for the Middle East Bureau to gain deeper insights.