Center for Middle Eastern Studies at The University of Chicago

This is the official page of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at The University of Chi

The study of the region extending from Morocco to Kazakhstan since the rise of Islam is coordinated, encouraged, and stimulated at the University of Chicago by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES). Established in 1965, the CMES has been supported by the Divisions of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Chicago and by grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the Mellon Foundation for more than thirty years.

06/02/2026

A Chicago high school's decision to eliminate its Arabic language program due to low enrollment and budget constraints has sparked backlash from community members who argue the course is vital for inclusion and diversity. DETAILS⬇️

05/04/2026

Join us Wednesday, May 13th for a lecture with Robin D.G. Kelley. Link to register in bio!

04/20/2026

April 23 + 24 CMES Master Class with Sherene Seikaly! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCRrNI-mVKAHWsCXHHVJH5FZTgNjCnLScKwCgq_NJ2JEyzaw/viewform
register here

04/15/2026

This Friday and Saturday please join us for the first ever Central Asian Studies Conference here at UChicago. Registration here
https://casconferenceuofc.com/

04/13/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHJe9n0rGPQ
Watch: US Empire and the Wars in Iran and Lebanon. Recorded on April 2nd, 2026 with Alireza Doostdar, Ghenwa Hayek, Aaron Jakes, John Mearsheimer, and Mehrnoush Soroush. Moderated by Lisa Wedeen

U.S. Empire and the Wars in Iran and Lebanon Held on April 2, 2026, this panel addressed the current wars in Iran and Lebanon, including Iranian politics and why the United States so badly miscalculated...