Recent Publications
Middle East Brief
The Shiite Community in Lebanon: From Marginalization to Ascendancy
Yusri Hazran
Middle East Brief
The Politics of Higher Education in the Middle East: Problems and Prospects
Vincent Romani
Middle East Brief
Jihadi Revisionism: Will It Save the World?
Khalil Al-Anani
In the News
Shai Feldman
June 4, 2009
WGBH Greater Boston
Analysis of President Obama's speech to the Muslim World
Video Available
June 3, 2009
NECN
"There's some I would say more than speculation that his message to the Arab world will be we're willing to establish different relations with you, but you also have a responsibility."
Video Available
May 15, 2009
Voice of America
President Obama may have a difficult time reassuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a Palestinian state will not compromise Israeli security.
Video Available
Nader Habibi
June 18, 2009
Energy Current
Op-Ed: "Commodity speculation must be regulated"
June 1, 2009
Gulf News
Op-Ed: "GCC bank solution is crucial"
Abdel Monem Said Aly
June 4, 2009
CBC News
Obama's words have the potential to be instrumental in reversing some of the rifts between the U.S. and the Middle East
May 25, 2009
The Jerusalem Post
There was a desire among many Arabs, said Aly, for someone to "come on a white horse" and solve their problems. However, to fulfill their expectations, he added, Obama would have to deliver both on the peace process and on the issue of Iraq.
Khalil Shikaki
May 20, 2009
New York Times
Op-Ed: "Vote Fatah (or Hamas)"
May 20, 2009
New York Times
“It is highly unlikely that the [Fatah] congress can be postponed for long,” said Khalil Shikaki, a Ramallah-based political scientist and pollster. “It has to happen this year to prevent the Young Guard from revolting.”
May 20, 2009
Financial Times
In Jordan, which hosts the biggest concentration of about 2.8m refugees who, unlike in Lebanon, enjoy citizenship, 5 per cent opted for return; in Lebanon it was 23 per cent.
Crown Center
Latest Middle East Brief
The Shiite Community in Lebanon: From Marginalization to Ascendancy
Dr. Yusri Hazran
Postdoctoral Fellow at the Crown Center
Despite the weak showing of the Hizballah-led opposition in the June 7, 2009 Lebanese parliamentary elections, the Shiite community remains one of the most powerful political forces in Lebanon. This brief examines the transformation of the Shiite community in Lebanon from their marginalization in politics to their current ascendancy.