Middle East Initiative

03/10/2026

RSVP TODAY: Join us TOMORROW at 4:30 PM at Harvard Kennedy School for a conversation on the conflict in Iran; Israel and the future of US–Israeli relations; and antisemitism on college campuses.

Featuring Tarek Masoud, MEI Faculty Chair and Ford Foundation Professor of Democracy and Governance at Harvard Kennedy School, in conversation with Dan Senor, political analyst, co-author of Start-Up Nation, host of the Call Me Back podcast, and former chief spokesperson for the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.

Space is limited; Harvard ID & RSVP required: https://www.belfercenter.org/event/middle-east-dialogues-conversation-dan-senor

03/09/2026

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11: Middle East Dialogue with Dan Senor

Join us for a conversation between MEI Faculty Chair Tarek Masoud and Dan Senor, political analyst, host of the Call Me Back podcast, and co-author of Start-up Nation. ​​​​​

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 4:30pm ET | Harvard Kennedy School

HUID & registration required. Register here: https://www.belfercenter.org/event/middle-east-dialogues-conversation-dan-senor

03/06/2026

Join us for our Spring 2026 Middle East Dialogues, hosted by MEI Faculty Chair Tarek Masoud :

Wednesday, March 11 | In Person
Middle East Dialogue: A conversation between MEI Faculty Chair Tarek Masoud and Dan Senor, political analyst, host of the Call Me Back podcast, and co-author of The Genius of Israel. Learn more & register here: https://www.belfercenter.org/event/middle-east-dialogues-conversation-dan-senor

Wednesday, April 1 | Online
Middle East Dialogue: A conversation between MEI Faculty Chair Tarek Masoud and Nasser Alkidwa, member of the Palestinian National Council and former Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority. Learn more & register here: https://www.belfercenter.org/event/middle-east-dialogues-conversation-nasser-alkidwa

03/04/2026

MEI affiliates, alongside other experts of Harvard's Belfer Center, offer their quick takes on the evolving conflict following the United States and Israel’s coordinated strikes across Iran and the subsequent responses from Tehran:

🔹 Edward Djerejian examines the importance of clearly defined U.S. political objectives amid escalating military action.

🔹 Peyman Asadzade explores three possible scenarios for Iran’s domestic political trajectory as a result of the conflict.

🔹 Ibrahim Al-Assil assesses the implications for Gulf sates' security and regional stability.

🔹 Barak Sella considers how the conflict may serve as a catalyst for a new regional order and a reshaped U.S.–Israel strategic relationship.

Read their quick takes here here:

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated air and missile strikes against targets across Iran, marking the most direct military confrontation between the countries to date. The operation targeted Iranian military infrastructure and senior leadership, including a strike....

03/04/2026

Come work with us! MEI is now hiring for two open positions and is looking for talented, enthusiastic, and resourceful colleagues to join our team. If you enjoy program administration, supporting a dynamic intellectual community, and mission-driven work, we encourage you to apply:

• Program Coordinator, Fellowships and Research Administration
• Program Coordinator, Events and Communications

For full details and application instructions:

Fellowships & Research Administration:
https://careers.harvard.edu/job/program-coordinator-fellowships-and-research-administration-in-cambridge-ma-united-states-jid-1113

Events & Communications:
https://careers.harvard.edu/job/program-coordinator-events-and-communications-in-cambridge-ma-united-states-jid-1116

We would be grateful if you could also share this post with anyone who might be a good fit.

03/02/2026

Join us for our next Middle East Dialogue: A conversation between MEI Faculty Chair Tarek Masoud and Dan Senor, political analyst, host of the Call Me Back podcast, and co-author of The Genius of Israel.

Wednesday, March 11 at 4:30pm at Harvard Kennedy School.

Learn more & register here (HUID required): https://lnkd.in/eM8Jvj8u

Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center

02/28/2026

Last month, MEI Faculty Chair Tarek Masoud and MEI Senior Fellow Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi brought the Harvard Kennedy School classroom to the UAE and Oman for their course, “Leadership and Social Transformation in the Arab World.”

Among the many course highlights, students met with UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan AlOlama, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council Saif Saeed Ghobash, and Foreign Minister of Oman Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

Through site visits and meetings with senior policymakers, students examined reform efforts firsthand and gained deeper insight into the forces and decisions that are shaping the region today.

Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center

12/24/2025

Season’s Greetings from the Middle East Initiative!❄️

As the fall term comes to a close, we wish you and your loved ones a beautiful and restorative holiday season. To stay up to date on our latest activities, upcoming Middle East Dialogues, research, study groups, and more, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter here: https://www.belfercenter.org/middle-east-initiative-mailing-list-subscription

12/09/2025

WATCH NOW: MEI Faculty Chair Professor Tarek Masoud sat down with Robert Malley, former U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, to discuss why the Israeli-Palestinian peace process failed and Malley’s perspective on the pathways forward post October 7th. Watch this conversation—and others in our Middle East Dialogues series—on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/hblpZIOizEY?si=b5IFo6p-fjjI_eIV

12/08/2025

WATCH NOW: MEI Faculty Chair Professor Tarek Masoud hosted a conversation with former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert about his experiences in office—particularly past peace negotiations—the ongoing conflict, and his vision for a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Watch this conversation—and others in our Middle East Dialogues series—on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/yFmshEMOomM?si=JsOHlt65lYGCo0tg

12/04/2025

WATCH NOW: MEI Faculty Chair Professor Tarek Masoud sat down with Harvard Law School Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz to discuss the conflict in Israel and Gaza, its impact at Harvard and on other college campuses, and potential pathways forward in the region. Watch this conversation—and others in our Middle East Dialogues series—on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ZZIDOj_ZO_E?si=4z72JC-BH_Q9Gi6G