Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI)

21/08/2026

➡️"Assessing AI and Technological Readiness in Arab Universities Using an Intellectual Capital Readiness Framework" is the first in a series of research reports developed through a collaboration between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the SWANA Future of Work Hub at the American University of Beirut, which examines the evolving role of higher education in the Arab region amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

The first three reports explore universities’ technological and intellectual preparedness, patterns of equitable engagement with AI across Arab countries, and the role of academia in national innovation ecosystems. A fourth report is expected in September 2026 and will further extend the series, alongside a conference in Oman early December 2026 that will bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss the findings and their policy implications and contribute to the development of the Muscat Declaration for Higher Education.

Read this report here:
https://aub.edu.lb/ifi/Documents/Assessing-AI-and-Technological-readiness-in-Arab-Universities-Using-Intellectual-Capital-Framework.pdf

For more information and to read the other reports in the series: https://aub.edu.lb/ifi/Pages/SWANA-Regional-Future-of-Work-Hub.aspx

11/08/2026

A new series of research reports developed through a collaboration between the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the South West Asia and North Africa Future of Work Hub at the American University of Beirut (AUB), examines the evolving role of higher education in the Arab region amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

The three reports explore universities’ technological and intellectual preparedness, patterns of equitable engagement with AI across Arab countries, and the role of academia in national innovation ecosystems. A fourth report is expected in September 2026 and will further extend the series, alongside a conference in Oman early December 2026 that will bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss the findings and their policy implications and contribute to the development of the Muscat Declaration for Higher Education.

➡️Assessing AI and Technological in Arab Universities Using an Intellectual Capital Readiness Framework​
https://www.aub.edu.lb/ifi/Documents/Assessing-AI-and-Technological-in-Arab-Universities-Using-Intellectual-Capital-Readiness-Framework.pdf

➡️The Role of Academe in the National Innovation Ecosystem in the Arab World
https://www.aub.edu.lb/ifi/Documents/The-Role-of-Academe-in-the-National-Innovation-Ecosystem-in-the-Arab-World.pdf

➡️Tertiary Education, Equity, and AI Engagement in Arab Countries​​​
https://www.aub.edu.lb/ifi/Documents/Tertiary-Education-Equity-and-AI-Engagement-in-Arab-Countries.pdf

05/08/2026

The Q2 2026 Arab Think Tank Network newsletter is out! The issue features, among others, publications and reports on the U.S.-Israel-Iran War and its economic and political fallout, the Crisis, Egypt’s economic resilience, and shifts in regional power and Arab-Israeli relations. Other covered subjects include AI in warfare, Egypt’s labor market, Yemen’s digital diaspora, digital violence against Sudanese women journalists, and Israel’s digital normalization efforts.

Read here: https://ttnforthearabregion.substack.com/p/arab-ttn-newsletter-quarter-2-2026?r=595omz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
Subscribe here: https://ttnforthearabregion.substack.com/

04/08/2026

30/07/2026

“The railway is not merely a transport project but part of a larger Turkish strategy to position itself as the indispensable connector between Europe, the Levant, and the Persian Gulf.”

Read the latest on our policy blog by the Institute's Regional and International Affairs Cluster Coordinator Yeghia Tashjian, on: "The Revival of Ottoman Era Railway and Türkiye’s Geo-economic Interests in the Levant," here: https://www.ifipolicyblog.com/policy-blog/the-revival-of-ottoman-era-railway-and-turkeys-geo-economic-interests-in-the-levant

30/07/2026

👉Join us on Monday, August 3, at 4 PM Beirut time (9 AM EDT) for an online discussion organized by the CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies titled "Lebanon's Strategic Outlook: Diplomacy, Governance, and Economic Recovery." The expert panel will feature Institute Director Joseph Bahout, along with Paul Salem, Maha Yahya, Alia Moubayed, and Mona Yacoubian.

As seeks to restore state sovereignty, end conflict and occupation, advance economic reforms, and reposition itself within a rapidly changing Middle East, the discussion will delve into the important questions that remain about the country's security, diplomatic, political, and economic trajectories.

This event is online-only and will be livestreamed on http://csis.org. To register and for more information: https://www.csis.org/events/lebanons-strategic-outlook-diplomacy-governance-and-economic-recovery

Please join the CSIS Middle East Program for a discussion on Lebanon's strategic outlook with Maha Yahya, Joseph Bahout, and Alia Moubayed.

29/07/2026

في 22 تموز/يوليو 2026، عقد معهدنا وكل من مبادرة الإصلاح العربي، وشبكة المنظمات العربية غير الحكومية للتنمية، ومركز حماية الطبيعة في الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت، ومنصة الفاعلين في قطاع المياه في لبنان، مؤتمراً بعنوان «إعادة بناء العدالة المائية في لبنان: الحوكمة والمساءلة ومستقبل المياه» تباحث خلاله باحثون وممارسون وفاعلون في المجتمع المدني في أزمة المياه في لبنان بوصفها مسألة حوكمة لا ندرة وحسب، وتناولوا الإخفاق المؤسسي، واستخدام المياه كأداة في سياق العدوان الإسرائيلي، والمسارات نحو مستقبل مائي أكثر عدالة وخضوعاً للمساءلة.

يمكنكم قراءة البيان الصحفي للمؤتمر هنا (الرابط في البايو)

28/07/2026

Celebrating 25 years of dedication and commitment! 🎉

IFI celebrated its Grants and Finance Manager, Dania_Abbass_Albadawi, for her 25 years of service at the American University of Beirut. Thank you, Dania, for being a vital part of the IFI journey and for all your contributions to the institute over the years. Here’s to many more milestones to come! 🥂

27/07/2026

🤝Our Institute is pleased to welcome Garene Kaloustian as an Associate Fellow, joining as an expert in early childhood education, child development, social and emotional learning, and classroom environment quality.

🔗Learn more about our fellows here:
https://www.ififellows.com/

24/07/2026

On the sidelines of the International Studies Association (ISA) 4th Annual Virtual Conference 2026, titled "Order, Disorder, and Reordering," on July 28-July 31, 2026, join us for an IFI and SWANA Future of Work Hub virtual roundtable discussion on "Assessing the Future of Work for Forward-Looking Universal Social Protection: A Comparative Study of Lebanon and Egypt."

📅Friday, July 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM (Beirut time)
📍Virtually on: https://isanet.org/Conferences/Virtual-2026 (Room 06)

The roundtable will feature IFI Assistant Director Yara Mourad, Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)'s Sarah Anne Rennick and Farah Al Shami, ICARDA's Najjar, and Just Jobs Network's Sabina Dewan. Moderated by IFI's SWANA Future of Work Hub Coordinator Samir Nassar.

The roundtable will revolve around a study examining shifts in and 's labor markets and work relations resulting from rapid digital transformations, including the rise of artificial intelligence and the energy transition. It will also explore how rapid digital transformation, including the rise of artificial intelligence and the green transition, is reshaping labour markets, work relations, and social protection systems in Lebanon, Egypt and the broader SWANA Region.

To know more about SWANA Future of Work Hub, visit our website: https://aub.edu.lb/ifi/Pages/SWANA-Regional-Future-of-Work-Hub.aspx