Past Events

Ethnic “Homelands”: Imagining a New Middle East, 1919 – 1948

Wednesday, 1/28/2015, 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Across Europe and the United States, Armenian, Assyrian, and Jewish diaspora groups proved anxious to demonstrate their belonging in the ingathering of civilized nation-states by supporting the project of a homogenous national “homeland,” however remote it might be from their actual lived experiences.

The Awakening of Muslim Democracy

Tuesday, 1/27/2015, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Jocelyne Cesari will discuss her recent release, The Awakening of Muslim Democracy: Religion, Modernity, and the State (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

Islam in a Changing Middle East

Thursday, 1/22/2015, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Join POMEPS for a panel discussion on the organizational challenges facing Islamist movements and how Islamists, from new youth members to senior leadership, are responding.

The Wages of Oil: Parliaments and Economic Development in Kuwait and the UAE

Monday, 12/1/2014, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Join POMEPS for a discussion surrounding the development of Kuwait and the UAE and the importance of oil in it.

Answering the Call: Popular Islamic Activism in Sadat’s Egypt

Wednesday, 11/19/2014, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Join POMEPS and IMES for a discussion regarding Islamic activism in Sadat's Egypt with Abdullah Al-Arian who will discuss his recent release, Answering the Call: Popular Islamic Activism in Sadat’s Egypt.

Reimagining Saudi Petro-Modernity: History and Space in a Post-Rentier State

Monday, 11/17/2014, 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Join IMES for a discussion regarding Saudi Arabia and its connection with oil in modern times.

Combating the ISIS Threat: A Path Forward

Thursday, 11/13/2014, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Join GW's Stephen Biddle and Marc Lynch for an in-depth discussion of the Obama administration's current strategy toward the ISIS threat, the evolving security situation on the ground in Syria and Iraq, and next steps for regional and global stakeholders.

Through Their Eyes

Friday, 11/7/2014, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Through Their Eyes pairs members of the GW student-veteran community with DC, Maryland and Virginia area high school art students.

Public Opinion in the Arab World

Friday, 10/31/2014, 10:00am - 12:00pm

The Arab uprisings were a vivid demonstration of the importance of public opinion in the Middle East.

Iranian Policy toward the Iraqi and Syrian Crises

Thursday, 10/23/2014, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Iran has become heavily involved in both conflicts since it has much at stake in both Iraq and Syria.

No End in Sight

Wednesday, 10/22/2014, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

The Middle East Policy Forum will show the documentary “No End in Sight,” which provides a critical and comprehensive look at the Bush Administration’s approach at the time of the U.S. intervention and its aftermath.

Reporting from Yemen

Thursday, 10/16/2014, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Join POMEPS for a discussion regarding reporting on Yemen.

Official Stories: Politics and National Narratives in Egypt and Algeria

Wednesday, 10/15/2014, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Laurie Brand will discuss her most recent book Official Stories: Politics and National Narratives in Egypt and Algeria (2014).

The New Arabs: How the Millenial Generation is Changing the Middle East

Wednesday, 10/8/2014, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

The renowned blogger and Middle East expert Juan Cole illuminates the role of today’s Arab youth—who they are, what they want, and how they will affect world politics.

The Arab Uprisings Explained

Friday, 10/3/2014, 9:00am - 2:15pm

This half-day conference celebrates the release of the edited volume The Arab Uprisings Explained: New Contentious Politics in the Middle East (Columbia University Press, 2014).

Rouhani’s Iran

Thursday, 9/11/2014, 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Join POMEPS for a reflection on social trends, domestic and international political dynamics, and other developments during Rouhani's first year in office.