Brookings: Projects - U.S. Relations with the Islamic World

Intolerance and Censorship in the Arab World

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cynthia Schneider and Nadia Oweidat write that the Arab world is rich in literature examining all aspects of Arab life and advocating a vision of a multi-cultural society that respects human rights. Rather than manufacturing its own messages, Schneider and Oweidat believe the United States should support a return to standards of critical thinking that once characterized the Arab world.

A New Way Forward: Encouraging Greater Cultural Engagement with Muslim Communities

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In a recent speech in Cairo, President Obama advocated "a new way forward," based on mutual interest and mutual respect in relationships between the United States and Muslim communities across the globe. Cynthia Schneider explains the important role arts, culture, and the media can play in building these relationships and fostering positive social change.

The Lockerbie Trial: A Unique Moment in International Justice and Diplomacy

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cynthia Schneider says the understandable outrage at the release of the convicted Pan Am 103 bomber should not overshadow the memory of the trial—an extraordinary example of international cooperation, justice and diplomacy—that brought him to justice.

How Egypt’s Changing Media Landscape is Influencing Domestic Politics

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 28, 2009, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

On July 28, the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World was pleased to host Ford Foundation Visiting Fellow Mirette Mabrouk in a discussion about the changing landscape of Arab media and its effect on Egypt’s domestic politics.

Afghan Star: The Impact of Independent Media in Afghanistan

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 12, 2009, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

On June 12, the Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World hosted a discussion on the role of independent media in Afghanistan. Discussion centered on holding government accountable, fostering critical thinking, and empowering women to the most effective strategy for the United States in supporting independent media and the societal changes it promotes.

Thoughts on President Obama's Cairo Speech

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In broadly and directly addressing the Muslim World, President Obama undertook a complex task. Mirette Mabrouk points to Obama’s discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his promises of U.S. economic aid to the Middle East as particularly dynamic areas of the speech.

Reflections on President Obama's Egypt Speech

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Stephen Grand assesses President Barack Obama's June 4 address from Egypt. Noting that while one speech cannot eliminate years of mutual anger and feelings of disrespect, Grand believes Obama has created the real possibility for what is described as "a new beginning" with the "Muslim world."

Obama's Egypt Speech: What He Said to the Muslim World

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On June 4, President Obama delivered what was billed as a “major speech to the Muslim world” in Cairo, Egypt. As a follow up to commentary prior to the speech, the Saban Center at Brookings’s Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World asked leading experts and policy-makers from the United States and the Muslim world to submit their thoughts on the speech.

Reactions to President Obama's Speech to the Muslim World

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama delivered a highly anticipated address in Cairo, Egypt on June 4 in an attempt to improve U.S. relations with the Muslim world. Brookings experts offered comments on the President’s speech.

Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 03, 2009, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

On June 3, the Brookings project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World hosted the premiere of a documentary film, Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think, which explores the opinions of Muslims around the globe as revealed in the world’s first extensive Muslim world opinion poll conducted by Gallup.

Obama's Egypt Speech: What He Should Say to the Muslim World

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On June 4, President Obama delivered what was billed as a “major speech to the Muslim world” in Cairo, Egypt. To provide context for this event, the Saban Center at Brookings’ Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World asked leading experts and policy-makers from the United States and the Muslim world to submit commentary on what they hoped to hear from President Obama’s speech.

Obama's Four Cairo Challenges

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On June 4, President Obama continued his efforts to improve America’s relations with the Muslim world by delivering a highly anticipated address at Cairo University in Egypt. Stephen Grand analyzed four difficult challenges for the president in order to make this historic address to the world's approximately 1.3 billion Muslims a success.

President Obama in Egypt: Reaching Out to the Muslim World

Fri, 29 May 2009 09:22:45 GMT

President Obama travels to Cairo in June to meet with Egyptian President Mubarak and to deliver a major speech to the people of the Muslim world on June 4. Stephen Grand says that in his address, Obama will state his desire to improve the relationship between the United States and nations in the Muslim world.

The Democracy Function: How Egypt’s Changing Media Landscape is Influencing Domestic Politics

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 06, 2009, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

On May 6, the Saban Center at Brookings’ Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World was pleased to host Ford Foundation Visiting Fellow Mirette F. Mabrouk to talk about the changing landscape of Arab media, and its effect on Egyptian domestic politics.

The Science of Diplomacy

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kristin Lord and Vaughan Turekian write that President Obama has won over the scientific community. Now, they argue, he should adopt their resources and influence for a novel use: bolstering America's foreign policy through public diplomacy.

Educational Reform in Pakistan’s Madrassahs: Does International Assistance Have a Role?

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 21, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

On April 21, the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World and the Brookings Doha Center was pleased to host a roundtable discussion with Saleem Ali on the challenges and opportunities facing the United States, the international community and Pakistan as they grapple with that country’s counter-terrorism and educational reform issues.

American Public Diplomacy after the Bush Presidency

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Cynthia Schneider examines U.S. public diplomacy by exploring the general position of the United States in the world as a whole, and then concentrating on U.S. relations specifically with the Muslim world.

To Rebuild U.S.-Muslim World Relations, Obama Is Not Enough

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama has demonstrated a strong personal commitment to strengthening relations between the United States and the Muslim world, in support of common security, political, economic, and social interests. Stephen Grand and Kristin Lord argue that he also needs an army, of civilians, behind him.

"A New Way Forward" in Doha: Listen to the Artists

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At the Arts and Culture Leaders meetings of the 2009 U.S.-Islamic World Forum, participants explored the potential for arts and media exchanges to overcome political differences as well as facilitate cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. Cynthia Schneider presents conclusions drawn from these meetings, underscoring the unique role of the arts in crafting a new way forward in the U.S.-Muslim world relationship.

Creative Expression and Its Impact on Society in the Arab World

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 06, 2009, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

On March 6, the Saban Center at Brookings’ Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World, in conjunction with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, hosted a panel discussion on contemporary creative expression and its impact on Arab society, with a conversation that ranged from the role of literature, poetry and music, to the relationship between art and state sponsorship, to the differences in creative expression from Morocco to the Persian Gulf.

The USA-World Trust: Bringing the Power of Networks to U.S. Public Diplomacy

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Though the success of President Obama’s foreign policy will depend on the cooperation of foreign nations, global public opinion is not on America’s side. Kristin Lord explores how American public diplomacy should better tap into and mobilize private actors to employ technology, media, and private sector expertise.

The Arab World's (Uneven) Progress

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mired in conflict, afflicted by joblessness, frustrated by unresponsive and oppressive governments, and flooded with images of woe, the world's 22 Arab nations have much to lament, writes Kristin Lord. Yet these societies are also making rapid, if insufficient, progress that Lord argues will determine the future of the region.

Global Trends and Security in the Muslim World: Dilemmas for U.S. and Regional Policy

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this U.S.-Islamic World Forum discussion paper, Stephen Grand, Tamara Wittes, Thomas Fingar and Jamal al Suwaidi investigate new and non-traditional security challenges and how they are likely to affect U.S.-Muslim world relations.

Oil, Globalization, and Political Reform in the Middle East

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this U.S.-Islamic World Forum discussion paper, Shibley Telhami, Ben Smith, Michael Ross and Steven Heydemann explore issues of governance reform in the Middle East. Their comments and essays provide insights into the slow reform efforts and move the discourse away from the distorted emphasis on religion and culture.

Displacement in the Muslim World: A Focus on Afghanistan and Iraq

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Iraq and Afghanistan face displacement crises of massive proportions. According to best estimates, the number approaches two million refugees and 2.8 million IDPs. Although the pace of displacement has slowed since mid-2007, few IDPs and refugees have been able to return, their resources are running out, and international assistance has been inadequate. The longer displacement lasts, the more complicated it will be to resolve.

2009 U.S.-Islamic World Forum: Common Challenges

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 14, 2009, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
February 16, 2009, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

On February 14-16, the Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World held the 6th annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar. Now in its sixth year, the U.S.-Islamic World Forum has become the foremost meeting for positive cross-cultural engagement among leaders from the United States and the Muslim world.

The Doha Compact: New Directions for the United States and Muslim World

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 12, 2008, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

For the last five years, Brookings’s Saban Center for Middle East Policy has hosted an annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum designed to build bridges of understanding. On December 12, the Center’s Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World hosted a discussion of The Doha Compact – New Directions: America and the Muslim World, a new report that encapsulates the ideas developed at the forum.

Voices of America: U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Drawing on extensive research, approximately 300 interviews and the advice of a distinguished board of ten advisers, Kristin Lord presents a vision for U.S. public diplomacy in the twenty-first century. Lord provides a detailed blueprint for a new non-profit organization, the USA World Trust, as part of a comprehensive public diplomacy strategy.

Voices of America: U.S. Public Diplomacy for the 21st Century

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 25, 2008, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

On November 25, Kristin Lord of the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World presented Voices of America, a new Brookings report on the effectiveness of public diplomacy that includes specific recommendations for the next administration. Voices of America presents a comprehensive vision for U.S. public diplomacy in the twenty-first century.

Prospects of Youth Radicalization in Pakistan

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Moeed Yusuf analyzes Pakistan's high potential for youth radicalization. He writes that the situation is marked by a poor education system stratified along socio-economic lines and disparate economic opportunities across segments of society, and he offers several policy suggestions for addressing the problem.

The Doha Compact – New Directions: America and the Muslim World

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Relations between the United States and the Muslim world have deteriorated markedly in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The 2008 Doha Compact, signed by 46 leaders from the U.S. and the Muslim World, seeks to encapsulate the ideas that have been developed at the annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum and make recommendations for the next U.S. Administration.

The Pentagon and Public Diplomacy

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Kristin Lord says the next administration must change the face of U.S. public diplomacy. Lord argues that putting the military, not civilians, at the forefront of U.S. global communications undercuts the likelihood of success, distorts priorities, and undermines the effectiveness of U.S. civilian agencies.

2008 U.S.-Islamic World Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 13, 2008, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
October 14, 2008, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

On October 13-14, The Brookings Institution in partnership with The Asia Foundation and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, brought together 50 key leaders from Southeast Asia, the broader Muslim world, and the United States for open and frank dialogue directed at developing actionable programs for government, civil society, and the private sector.

Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Border

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:30:00 GMT

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October 07, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

The Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World was pleased to host Ahmed Rashid, journalist and best-selling author of Descent Into Chaos. A correspondent for both the Far Eastern Economic Review and the Daily Telegraph and author of Taliban and Jihad, Rashid argued that Afghanistan presents a greater security risk to the international community than the Middle East.

Mightier Than the Sword: Arts and Culture in the U.S.-Muslim World Relationship

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 06, 2008, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

On October 6, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy’s Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World will host a discussion of a new report, Mightier than the Sword: Arts and Culture in the U.S.-Muslim World Relationship, which examines the nature and scope of arts and cultural interactions between the United States and the Muslim world today.

The Interplay Between U.S. Foreign Policy and Political Islam in Post-Soeharto Indonesia

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To understand how U.S. policy plays into the politics of Islam in Indonesia, Mohammad Syafi’i Anwar argues it should be analyzed within a global context. Anwar believes that the U.S. should continue to support progressive-liberal Islam and embrace moderate Muslim, as well as improve public diplomacy in the Muslim World and address the ideologies that underlie terrorism.

Reforming U.S. Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication: Views from Congress

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:30:00 GMT

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September 23, 2008, 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Seven years after 9/11, the question remains: is the United States communicating effectively with foreign publics? Is it undermining support for extremist ideologies around the world? On September 23, the Brookings Institution will host Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) for a discussion on the future of U.S. public diplomacy and strategic communication.

The Challenges of Hollywood and the Muslim World

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cynthia Schneider discusses the reach of American popular culture, are possible ways to harness its power to reflect more accurately the diversity of people and perspectives that characterize the U.S.

Understanding the Role of Islam in Counterterrorism Policy

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As the National Commission on the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks emphasized, significant progress against terrorism cannot be achieved exclusively through the use of military force. Rashad Hussain and Al-Husein N. Madhany argue that in order to win the "battle of ideas," the United States government must carefully reformulate its strategy and work with the Muslim world to promote mainstream Islam over terrorist ideology.

Opportunities and Challenges in Pakistan’s Foreign Policy

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:30:00 GMT

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July 11, 2008, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

As Pakistan emerges from tumultuous national elections and continues to address tensions on its western frontier, the nation faces several domestic and foreign policy challenges—and opportunities—in the months ahead. On July 11, the Brookings Institution hosted Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the foreign minister of Pakistan, for a discussion of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Arts and Culture in the U.S.-Muslim World Relationship

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cynthia Schneider and Kristina Nelson explore the capacity of arts and culture to move and persuade audiences as well as to shape and reveal identities. Their research indicates there is a hunger, in both those in the United States and those in the Muslim world, to understand each others culture, and they offer numerous recommendations to resolve misunderstandings.

Building a Knowledge Society in the Arab World

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 16, 2008, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

On June 16, the Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World released A New Millennium of Knowledge? The Arab Human Development Report on Building a Knowledge Society, Five Years On. Author Kristin Lord discussed her conclusions about what changed over the past five years—what successes Arab nations have achieved toward building a knowledge society, what efforts have failed and what work remains to be done.

What Do You Call a Terror(Jihad)ist?

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer and Elina Noor write that using the wrong words to describe terrorists, like those connected to Al Qaeda, is a fundamental strategic mistake. They argue that that in a war of words, "we would do well to choose the ones we use with greater care."

The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:30:00 GMT

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May 29, 2008, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

On May 29th, the Saban Center hosted Noah Feldman, Professor of Law at Harvard University, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, former senior constitutional adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and author of the new book, The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State; and Lama Abu-Odeh, Professor of Law at Georgetown University and a renowned authority on Islamic history and law.

The Many Faces of Political Islam

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT

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May 15, 2008, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

The rise of political Islam in the Muslim world has for years presented a dilemma for American foreign policy makers. Some have argued that the United States should engage with Islamist actors, while others insist their views and agenda deem them unfit to sit at the negotiating table. Yet despite such divergent perspectives, there have been few efforts to accurately define political Islam, much less understand its meteoric rise or its diverse manifestations.

Building a Knowledge Society in the Arab World

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

"Arab nations share a history of remarkable intellectual and scientific achievement,” writes Kristin Lord, “yet as a group, these 22 countries lag behind other regions—and their own potential—in educational achievement, scientific advances, and economic growth.” Drawing on the insights of a distinguished panel of experts from the Arab world, Lord assesses what has happened in the five years since the UNDP’s Arab Human Development Report 2003.

New Directions: The Opportunities and Challenges Ahead in the U.S.-Muslim World Relationship

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 16, 2008, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

The 2008 U.S.-Islamic World Forum, held from February 16-18, 2008, in Doha, Qatar, was an immense success, bringing together key leaders in the fields of politics, business, media, academia, and civil society from across the Muslim world and the United States. Now in its fifth year, the forum has become the foremost meeting for positive cross-cultural engagement among leaders from the United States and the Muslim world.

Reform in the Muslim World

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Participants discuss governance in the Muslim World in a paper prepared for the 2008 U.S./Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar.

Human Development in the Muslim World

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Participants discuss human development in the Muslim World in a paper prepared for the 2008 U.S./Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar.

A Strategic Look at U.S.-Muslim World Relations

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Participants discuss security in the Muslim World in a paper prepared for the 2008 U.S./Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar.

Building an Arab Knowledge Society: How Business Can Help

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Kristin Lord offers ideas for Arab countries to build a knowledge based society in which business can flourish.

Engagement with the Muslim Community and Counterterrorism: British Lessons for the West

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

H.A. Hellyer notes that historians will undoubtedly mark September 11, 2001 as a turning point for politicians and policy makers in the United States. He offers recommendations from counterterrorism operations in Britain where authorities are facing a similar if not more widespread problem of radicalization.

Washington Cannot Ignore Pakistan's Latest Crisis

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Muqtedar Khan writes that Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has generated a crises with significant implications across the globe by announcing his country had fallen under emergency rule.

What Does God Have to Do with It? The Links Between Religion, Radicalism and Violence

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 23, 2007, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Religion is enjoying a global resurgence. Aside from continental Europe, the majority of the world’s inhabitants attend religious services more regularly, and claim to believe more fervently. At the same time, ideologically-inspired violence – both terrorism and war – is also on the rise. Clearly, faith in God is playing a large and mounting role in both private life and contemporary politics.

The Interplay Between U.S. Foreign Policy and Political Islam in Indonesia

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:00:00 GMT

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September 18, 2007, 3:00 PM to 9/18/2007 4:30:00 PM

While some Indonesians hold radical and anti-American sentiments, others admire the United States and share the same values of freedom, multiculturalism, and democracy.

Religious Pluralism is an American Tradition

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Hady Amr, San Francisco Chronicle (7/26/07)

Shades of Gray: Shedding Light on the Muslim Community in Britain

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 18, 2007 at 12:00 AM

The failed terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow have once again brought Britain's Muslims back into the spotlight, and sparked renewed feelings of unease and suspicion, despite the alleged perpetrators having come from abroad. In this tense environment, there is an evermore urgent need for counterterrorism authorities to engage with the mainstream British Muslim community, while correctly identifying those that pose a threat to public order.

Western Engagement with Muslims: Europe's Lessons Learned in Counterterrorism since 7/7

Mon, 21 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

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May 21, 2007 at 12:00 AM

In this discussion of Britain's Muslim communities the British mainstream's engagement with them after the 7/7 bombings, Visiting Fellow Dr. H.A. Hellyer stressed the need for capacity building in the Muslim communities, and the breaking down of obstacles from the mainstream that hindered integration.

Creating a Culture of Coexistence

Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 11, 2007 at 12:00 AM

Amr Khaled discussed how to support youth and women in the Middle East, give them hope and increase development based on the values of faith. His message stresses three parts: faith, development, and coexistence.

The U.S.-Pakistan Tango

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Muqtedar Khan and Kamran Bokhari, PostGlobal (3/19/07)

America's Gift: A New Tradition in Islamic Thinking

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, The Daily Star Egypt (3/9/07)

In the Shadow of the Iraq War: America in Arab Eyes

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Shibley Telhami, Survival (Spring 2007)

Confronting What Divides Us

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 17, 2007 at 12:00 AM
February 19, 2007 at 12:00 AM

The 2007 U.S.-Islamic World Forum brought together leaders from over 37 Muslim countries and communities for dialogue and exchange with American leaders. The Forum covered issues ranging from the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Iraq, Iran and Lebanon, to the respective roles of religion and government to broader developmental concerns.

To ""Save Iraqi Democracy,"" Bush's War Will Target Shias Too

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, The News Journal (1/11/07)

U.S. Government and American Muslims Engage to Define Islamophobia

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Asian Tribune (12/19/06)

Islamist Groups - Beyond the Rhetoric

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 12, 2006 at 12:00 AM

America, Islam, and the 9-11 War

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Peter W. Singer, Current History (December 2006)

Should Muslims be Allowed to Impose Islam on Other Americans?

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Middle East Online (11/25/06)

Islam is Present and Thriving in Oxford

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Khaleej Times (10/4/06)

Iraq: There Is a Third Way

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, alt.muslim (10/2/06)

Integrating Islam: Political and Religious Challenges in Contemporary France

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 13, 2006, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

The integration of the Muslim population into Europe poses a variety of daunting challenges, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of rising Islamic fundamentalism and terrorist plots emanating from Europe. Brookings scholars Jonathan Laurence and Justin Vaisse analyzed the case of the largest Muslim population in Europe.

9/11 Plus 5: Hope Not Hate?

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, The Brookings Institution (9/7/06)

The 9-11 War Plus 5: Looking Back and Looking Forward at U.S.-Islamic World Relations

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. Relations with the Islamic World, Analysis Paper #10

Restoring America's Good Name: Improving Strategic Communications with the Islamic World

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Hady Amr and Peter W. Singer, National Defense University (September 2006)

Middle East Crisis: Is The U.S. Part of the Problem?

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, The Daily Star (7/31/06)

Islam and the West: Searching for Common Ground

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Muqtedar Khan before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (7/18/06)

U.S. Fails to Defend Interests in Mideast

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Chicago Tribune (7/17/06)

Middle East: The Limits of Escalation

Sun, 16 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Shibley Telhami, The Baltimore Sun (7/16/06)

Mosques with Foreign Flags: Islam in Europe and America

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Al-Ahram Weekly (6/15/06)

Two Theories of Ijtihad

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, CGNews (3/21/06)

As tensions between the Muslim and Western worlds continue to grow, there is one largely overlooked area of activity that may play a role in building bridges: ijtihad. While ijtihad can be a tool for understanding Islamic principles in a way that fits the needs and challenges of individuals and societies, there is no universal agreement on its proper role.

Is Pakistan smiling?

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

As ironies go this one is in a class by itself. George Bush went to Iraq in search of weapons of mass destruction, stayed to search for democracy and is finding out that democracy has become Iraq's weapon of mass destruction. But this may not be the most significant irony of Bush's second term, now wallowing in the swamps of popular regret.

Leaders Effect Change

Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 18, 2006 at 12:00 AM

The 2006 U.S. Islamic World Forum was held from February 18-20 in Doha, Qatar. A global leaders conference, the Forum brought together over 180 American and Muslim world leaders from the realms of politics, business, media, academia, arts, science, and civil society. 38 countries were represented, with 23 sessions over the course of the Forum, covering issues ranging from Iraq and the Danish cartoon controversy to development concerns and the role of artist as a public figure.

Hamas's Victory-Good For All

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Haaretz (1/31/06)

The American Muslim Community and Its Role in Diplomacy and Development

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 09, 2006 at 12:00 AM

American Muslims and the Rediscovery of America's Sacred Ground

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Chapter by Muqtedar Khan from ""Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously: Spiritual Politics on America's Sacred Ground"", ed. Barbara McGraw (Baylor University Press, 2005)

Belgium's Muslim Beggars

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The topic of the plight of Muslims living in the West was ignited like so many cars on the first night of the Paris riots. But during a recent dialogue with U.S. and Belgian Muslims, Muqtedar Khan found that their communities' experience in the West is far from uniform. But while these communities struggle with unique problems, more dialogue between them might just benefit all.

Belgium's Muslim Beggars

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Syriana: The Washington, DC Premiere

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 08, 2005 at 12:00 AM

Muslim Civic Cultures and Conflict Resolution: The Challenge of Democratic Federalism in Nigeria

Wed, 07 Dec 2005 18:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 07, 2005, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

The New Children of Terror

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Chapter by Peter Singer from ""The Making of a Terrorist: Recruitment, Training, and Root Causes,"" James Forest, ed."" (Praeger, 2005)

Between the Global and the Local: Islamism, the Middle East, and Indonesia

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Against the background of the 'war on terror', many people have come to view Islamism as a monolithic ideological movement spreading from the center of the Muslim world, the Middle East, to Muslim countries around the globe. To borrow a phrase from Abdullah Azzam, the legendary jihadist who fought to expel the Soviet Union from Afghanistan in the 1980s, many today see all Islamists as fellow travellers in a global fundamentalist caravan. This paper evaluates the truth of that perception. It does so by examining the spread of two broad categories of Islamic thinking and activism—the more politically focused Islamism and more religiously focused 'neo-fundamentalism'—from the Middle East to Indonesia, a country often cited as an example of a formerly peaceful Muslim community radicalized by external influences.

Give the Lebanese Voters a Say in Choice of New Electoral System

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Hady Amr, The Daily Star (9/30/05)

Karen Hughes and American Muslims: Alliance Against Extremism

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Middle East Online (9/12/05)

A Fitting End to a Terrorist (Too Bad No One Noticed)

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter W. Singer, Al-Hayat (9/4/05)

The Conquest of Muslim Hearts and Minds? Perspectives on U.S. Reform and Public Diplomacy Strategies

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Dr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi, a leading expert on democratization in the Muslim world, provides an outside vantage point on the recent enthusiasm in U.S. policy circles for engagement with and reform in the Muslim world. He lays out the perspective that, in general, the renewed U.S. interest is certainly a welcome development, even when it comes about for the wrong reasons. However, he cautions that the difficulties faced so far by the United States are not just a matter of technique or style. When the country which commands unchallenged hegemony in both the technology and the art of communication appears unable to get its message across, it can only be a symptom of a deeper concern.

Malaysia

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Excerpt by Elina Noor from Asia-Pacific Security Outlook 2005

The CIA and the War on Terror: Here We Go Again

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, Al-Ahram (6/30/05)

Quran Desecration: Far Worse than Abu Ghraib

Sun, 29 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan (May 2005)

Epistemological Hijab

Wed, 20 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Muqtedar Khan, The Daily Times (4/20/05)

U.S. Islamic World Forum

Sun, 10 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 10, 2005 at 12:00 AM