Middle East Institute

Despite diplomatic outreach, the US-Iran standoff continues to inch toward renewed large-scale hostilities. In a new piece for MEI, Brian Katulis and Athena Masthoff examine President Donald Trump’s often spontaneous approach to the war.

The Middle East Institute wishes you a peaceful and meaningful Eid Al-Adha. Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating today.

Friends, colleagues, and members of the policy community gathered last night to celebrate the launch of West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East by MEI Senior Fellow Mohammed Soliman. The evening brought together an enthusiastic crowd for conversation around Mohammed’s new book and the ideas shaping the future of the region.

Iran’s unprecedented humanitarian crisis, triggered by the January 2026 crackdown on protesters, is intensifying amid a surge of political executions and widespread detentions. The Middle East Institute convened experts Karen Kramer, Holly Dagres, and Dafna Rand to unpack the risks facing Iranians under deepening militarization during the current war, and to examine the ways the US can respond.

MEI was pleased to host a private roundtable with His Excellency Hoshyar Zebari, former Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance, for a discussion on Iraqi domestic political dynamics following the recent swearing-in of Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. The conversation also explored Iraq's role amid a shifting regional landscape and the implications of the ongoing Iran war for political and security dynamics across the Middle East.

The US-Iran war and restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have upended global fertilizer supply chains, putting tens of millions at risk of severe hunger over the coming months. MEI was pleased to host a half-day conference examining how the crisis in the Gulf is driving agricultural stress and worsening food insecurity across the Middle East and North Africa. The event was hosted by MEI Senior Fellow Intissar Fakir, with opening remarks from Gov. David Beasley, former Executive Director of the World Food Programme and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Watch the full event: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYXtteDGzwM/?img_index=1

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran’s oil infrastructure is days away from collapsing due to the blockade of the country's ports, suggesting this could force Tehran to compromise. In a new article, guest contributor Siamak Namazi argues that while the Islamic Republic's oil sector is under mounting pressure, the situation is far more complex.

Read the full analysis: https://mei.edu/publication/why-irans-oil-pain-does-not-guarantee-capitulation/

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is pleased to announce that Ambassador (ret.) C. David Welch has been elected Chair of its Board of Governors, succeeding General (ret.) John P. Abizaid.

A Career Ambassador with more than three decades of service, Amb. Welch has held senior leadership roles across the Middle East and within the US government, including as US Ambassador to Egypt and Assistant Secretary of State. He also brings private sector experience from his time at Bechtel.

“MEI’s policy expertise and programs are indispensable in these times,” said Amb. Welch. “I look forward to working with President Stu Jones and the entire MEI team to deepen partnerships and dialogue that shape informed public opinion and sound policy.”

We are grateful to Gen. Abizaid for his leadership and service, and we look forward to this next chapter under Amb. Welch’s guidance.

Read the press release: https://mei.edu/press/ambassador-c-david-welch-elected-chair-of-the-middle-east-institute-board-of-governors/

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is pleased to announce that Ambassador (ret.) C. David Welch has been elected Chair of the Board of Governors, succeeding General (ret.) John P. Abizaid.

A Career Ambassador with more than three decades of service, Amb. Welch has held senior leadership roles across the Middle East and within the US government, including as US Ambassador to Egypt and Assistant Secretary of State. He also brings private sector experience from his time at Bechtel.

“MEI’s policy expertise and programs are indispensable in these times,” said Amb. Welch. “I look forward to working with President Stu Jones and the entire MEI team to deepen partnerships and dialogue that shape informed public opinion and sound policy.”

We are grateful to Gen. Abizaid for his leadership and service, and we look forward to this next chapter under Amb. Welch’s guidance.

Read the press release: https://mei.edu/press/ambassador-c-david-welch-elected-chair-of-the-middle-east-institute-board-of-governors

On April 16, the US State Department announced a 10-day cease-fire in Lebanon, which both the Israeli and Lebanese governments have reportedly accepted. The agreement marks a significant diplomatic shift, and further negotiations have the potential to reshape the Middle Eastern landscape. In a new piece for The National, MEI’s Paul Salem argues that strong, sustained US leadership will be indispensable to achieving a durable peace.

Read the full article: https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2026/04/20/lebanon-israel-talks-hezbollah-ceasefire-us-donald-trump/