The RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy (CMEPP) brings together analytic excellence and regional expertise from across the RAND Corporation to address the most critical political, social, and economic challenges facing the Middle East today. Our goal is to inform policy in ways that help improve the security and well-being of people living in the region.
The conflict in Syria has created the largest refugee crisis since World War II, with millions fleeing to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Europe, and beyond. RAND studies explore a wide range of issues, including the root causes and historical context, living conditions for refugees, the effect on Middle East and EU countries, and options for a Western response.
Learn More About RAND's Work on Refugees»Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters
This study examines China's interests in the Middle East and assesses China's economic, political, and security activities there to determine whether China has a strategy toward the region and what such a strategy means for the United States. The study focuses on China's relations with two of its key partners in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The Emergency Education Response Programme aims to provide public and supportive education to Syrian refugee children in Jordan. RAND's evaluation identified significant successes as well as longer-term challenges, related to access, quality and coordination of services. Key recommendations concerned developing medium-term thinking, expanding public education, improving double-shifted schools and targeting gendered challenges, among others.
This report examines the ongoing debate about the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Arabic Twitter to better understand the Twitter networks of ISIS supporters and opponents, using a mixed-methods analytic approach to identify and characterize in detail both support and opposition networks. The authors draw on community detection algorithms, lexical analysis to identify key themes and content, and social network analysis.
This report examines what binds and divides the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — and presents the outlook for the GCC's evolution over the next ten years. The study aims to help policymakers better understand intra-GCC dynamics and prepare for future trends in a region with high stakes for U.S. strategic interests.
Director, Center for Middle East Public Policy; Senior Political Scientist
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Latest Commentary
Iran Is at Putin's Mercy
Jan 12, 2017
Nader @AlirezaNader
Russia and Iran have forged an unprecedented, but fragile alliance in the Middle East. But there's no guarantee that Putin won't sell Iran out if he manages to forge better U.S. relations under Trump.
Hidden Dangers of Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem
Dec 28, 2016
Kaye @dassakaye
Moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would antagonize partners in the Islamic world who are key to fighting ISIS and other extremists. And any potential cooperation that might have developed between Israel and Arab states over common concerns about Iran could suffer.
What ISIS Leaves Behind in Mosul Will Reveal a Lot
Nov 18, 2016
Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
The capture of Mosul, Iraq, may produce a potential trove of information about how ISIS organized itself to run a large city. Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating this material will be a major effort, one of the most important as the city is liberated.
What the Battles of Mosul and Aleppo Tell Us About Their Countries' Futures
Nov 14, 2016
Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
The battle of Mosul is not just about defeating ISIS. It is about restoring Mosul to the multi-ethnic city it once was. The Syrian government's style of warfare in Aleppo, however, accepts that Syria will remain a divided country.
Al Nusra Is Stronger Than Ever
Nov 2, 2016
Clarke @ColinPClarke
While the West targets ISIS, Jabhat Fateh al Sham, formerly known as Jabhat al Nusra, is quietly laying the groundwork for al Qaeda's resurgence.
Al Qaeda's Ruthless Pragmatism Makes It More Dangerous Than the Islamic State
Oct 27, 2016
Clarke @ColinPClarke, et al.
Al Qaeda presents a graver long-term threat to the West than the Islamic State. It has proved more effective in exploiting U.S. policy in the Middle East to legitimize itself as an armed force and, increasingly, as a viable political player.
After the Battle for Mosul, Get Ready for ISIS to Go Underground
Oct 18, 2016
Ryan, et al.
Only once ISIS's underground network is defeated will there be a real chance for enduring security and stability in Mosul.
Only the U.S. Can Save Syrians
Oct 6, 2016
Clarke @ColinPClarke, et al.
Washington must act soon to raise the costs of Syrian and Russian killing in Aleppo. Otherwise, the quarter-million people who live there could be in danger, and the Kremlin might think that it can mount further challenges to the West.
Syria Cease-Fire Should Ban Chemical Weapons
Sep 15, 2016
Parachini
The United States and Russia negotiated an agreement to suspend fighting in Syria and get relief supplies to trapped civilians. They should not miss an opportunity to regularly and forcefully draw a red line on the use of toxic chemicals as weapons.