Brookings: Projects - Saban Center-CFR Middle East Strategy Project

Counterterrorism: Kill or Be Killed?

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the post-9/11 era, the United States is grappling with many ethical, operational and political questions regarding the targeted killings of terrorists. Dan Byman argues that such strikes are a painful necessity in a time when U.S. foes cannot be found or fought onconventional battlefields.

Saban Center-CFR Middle East Strategy Project

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:38:06 GMT

This project marks the first time in the history of the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations that a group of their experts are partnering to develop a Middle East strategy for the next president. Visit the CFR project site.

The Evolution of Iraq Strategy

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Stephen Biddle, Michael O'Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack analyze the current situation in Iraq and the evolving Iraq strategy. They lay out a "conditions based" approach to reduce American forces in Iraq and argue that most combat forces can leave by 2011.

Middle East Needs Obama's Touch

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama will face a series of challenges in the Middle East demanding urgent attention: an Iraq that could still unravel, an Iran approaching the nuclear threshold, a faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and weak governments in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Martin Indyk and Richard Haass outline what the initial goals of the Obama administration should be in the region.

Beyond Iraq: A New U.S. Strategy for the Middle East

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Martin Indyk and Richard Haass argue to be successful in the Middle East, the Obama administration will need to move beyond Iraq, find ways to deal constructively with Iran, and forge a final-status Israeli-Palestinian agreement.

Pathway to Coexistence: A New U.S. Policy toward Iran

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Obama administration may be tempted to take the easy way out by offering merely new rhetoric and modest refinements to the carrot-and stick approach that has failed its five predecessors. Suzanne Maloney and Ray Takeyh believe this would be a mistake. Today, to deal effectively with a rising Iran, the United States must embark on a far deeper reevaluation of its strategy and launch a comprehensive diplomatic initiative to attempt to engage its most enduring Middle Eastern foe.

A Time for Diplomatic Renewal: Toward a New U.S. Strategy in the Middle East

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Martin Indyk and Richard Haass note that President-elect Obama will face a series of critical, complex, and interrelated challenges in the Middle East that will demand his immediate attention: an Iran apparently intent on approaching or crossing the nuclear threshold as quickly as possible; a fragile situation in Iraq that is straining the U.S. military; weak governments in Lebanon and Palestine under challenge from stronger Hezbollah and Hamas militant organizations; a faltering Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and American influence diluted by a severely damaged reputation.

Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 02, 2008, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Restoring the Balance in the Middle East

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Martin Indyk and Richard Haass joined Charlie Rose to discuss the newly released Saban Center at Brookings-Council on Foreign Relations book Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President. They highlighted three major foreign policy challenges in the region that President-elect Obama will need to focus on and detailed some of the recommendations found within the book.

Counterterrorism Trip Report: Israel and Jordan

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman traveled to Israel and Jordan in March—a time of crisis in the Middle East. During Byman’s trip, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired rockets against the Israeli cities of Sderot and Ashkelon, an attack occurred in the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and Israel took retaliatory measures in the Gaza Strip. In both Israel and Jordan, Byman found that the predominant mood was one of frustration and gloom. Israelis felt trapped between their sense that inaction would encourage more violence and their recognition that the military and political options looked unpromising. Jordanians fretted that the Israeli reaction to the violence would strengthen the radicals politically.

Economic and Political Development Report: Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Tamara Cofman Wittes and Isobel Coleman met with business leaders, academics, journalists, and civic activists in Saudi Arabia. Among their key findings are that many Saudis welcomed the emergence of a more open atmosphere, pointing to King Abdullah’s ascension to the throne, dynamism in neighboring Gulf states, and a new “post-post-9/11” environment as key catalysts for the change. Yet, there was frustration at the unpredictability and arbitrariness of the newly expanded social and political space.

Nonproliferation Trip Report: India

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bruce Riedel traveled to India in February to meet with business leaders, government officials, and members of the media. Riedel notes that much of the conversations revolved around Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities and the Iran-India relationship. Some in the United States have strongly criticized India for maintaining strong economic relations with Iran and for having exchanges of low-level military delegations. Riedel notes that although India opposes a nuclear Iran, its ties with Iran will lead it to oppose use of a military option against Iran.

Gulf Trip Report: Qatar and the United Arab Emirates

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In February, Martin Indyk and Richard Haass engaged leading Gulf policymakers in detailed conversations about what they are looking for from a new American president. While all those with whom they spoke were fascinated by the American presidential primary elections and seem to be following the results closely, few have yet focused on the possibility that a significant change in U.S. foreign policy might result from a new administration in Washington. There was also a significant disconnect between leaders and publics: The leaders are focused on how the next administration will deal with complex regional security challenge posed by Iran, whereas the publics are hoping that a new president will resolve the Palestinian issue and press authoritarian governments to be more open, transparent and accountable.

Saudi Arabia: Nervously Watching Pakistan

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With the exception of India, no country in the world is more concerned about Pakistan’s political crisis than Saudi Arabia. However, Bruce Riedel writes that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s relationship will survive the former’s current political tensions given the strength of the two countries economic ties.

It's Not About Iran

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Shibley Telhami writes that the United States could make a costly mistake by believing that Arab nations are currently motivated by a perceived Iranian threat and that the specter of Iran alone brought the Arab nations to the Middle East conference in Annapolis last fall. Telhami notes that the Bush Administration reliance on this belief was clearly reflected in the President’s recent speech in the United Arab Emerites.

Apres-Surge: The Next Iraq Debates

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Kenneth Pollack discusses recent military gains in Iraq following the U.S. troop expansion in that country. While conditions continue to improve in previously troubled regions like Anbar and Nineveh provinces, Pollack argues that the progress is uneven and that the troubled nation can still be lost if the U.S., Iraq, and their allies do not address the political, economic, and security problems that remain.

Time to Start Talking to Tehran

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Suzanne Maloney and Ray Takeyh argue that in order to come to an understanding with Iran, the United States must open dialogue with the country instead of forcing a military confrontation.

Back to Balancing

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Martin Indyk and Tamara Cofman Wittes argue that the United States must strengthen its international partnerships, use diplomacy, and offer security guarantees to advance U.S. interests in the Middle East and Gulf regions. Those U.S. interests include: stabilizing Iraq, revitalizing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and encouraging moderate Arab nations to enact political and economic reforms.

Renditions and the Rule of Law

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Daniel Byman discusses the U.S.'s rendition process. Byman asserts that renditions are an effective means of fighting terrorism and possibly in obtaining terrorist information, but that the policy must be modified to ensure fair treatment of apprehended individuals and due process of law.