entity

Middle East Institute

Also known as: MEI, The Middle East Institute

Entities (2)

United States

United States

The Middle East Institute maintains a focus on United States foreign policy, as evidenced by their reports on US-Iran relations [1], publications detailing US regional security responses [2], and expert analysis regarding the United States' strategic role in Iraq [3]. — 1 supporting fact

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Iran

Iran

The Middle East Institute frequently analyzes Iran's geopolitical influence and security threats, as evidenced by their 2024 reports and webinars [1], [2], and [3]. Furthermore, the institute publishes expert commentary on Iran's regional impact [4] and employs specialists like Patricia Karam who focus specifically on Iran policy [5]. — 1 supporting fact

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Facts (19)

Sources

War by Proxy: Iran's Growing Footprint in the Middle East - CSIS csis.org CSIS Mar 11, 2019 4 facts

referenceNicholas Blanford published 'Hezbollah’s Evolution: From Lebanese Militia to Regional Player' as Policy Paper 4 for The Middle East Institute in November 2017.

referenceZubair Azam and Khuram Iqbal authored 'Shiite Mobilization and the Transformation of Sectarian Militancy in Pakistan' for The Middle East Institute on March 29, 2017.

referenceTobias Schneider authored a report titled 'The Fatemiyoun Division' for The Middle East Institute in October 2018, detailing the Fatemiyoun Division.

referenceZubair Azam and Khuram Iqbal authored 'Shiite Mobilization and the Transformation of Sectarian Militancy in Pakistan' for The Middle East Institute on March 29, 2017.

Beyond “Maximum Pressure” in US Policy on Iran: Leveraging ... mei.edu Middle East Institute Jan 30, 2025 3 facts

referenceFadi Nicholas Nassar hosted a podcast episode titled 'Hezbollah, Israel, and the Lebanese Armed Forces' for the Middle East Institute's 'Middle East Focus' series on October 10, 2024.

perspectiveRobert S. Ford published an article in the Middle East Institute on November 26, 2024, arguing that United States success in Iraq requires being a more reliable partner than Iran.

referenceBrian Katulis published an assessment of the Biden administration's Middle East policy one year into the Israel-Hamas war, titled 'America’s Strategic Drift in the Middle East', in the Middle East Institute on October 2, 2024.

The Israel-Hamas War: Risks of Escalation and Scenarios for ... mei.edu Middle East Institute 3 facts

claimBrian Katulis is a senior fellow and vice president of policy at the Middle East Institute.

claimMirette F. Mabrouk is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and the founding director of the Institute’s Egypt Studies program.

claimPaul Salem is the president and CEO of the Middle East Institute.

The Broadening Conflict: Security Developments and Regional ... mei.edu Middle East Institute Mar 13, 2026 3 facts

claimAlex Vatanka is a Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute who specializes in Middle Eastern regional security with a focus on Iran.

claimMajor General Scott Benedict, USMC (ret.), is a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute and previously served as the Commanding General of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing.

claimDr. Kenneth M. Pollack is the Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute, a former Persian Gulf military analyst at the CIA, and a former two-time member of the National Security Council serving as Director for Near East and South Asian affairs and Director for Persian Gulf affairs.

Cyber conflict in the Middle East: Considerations for the future mei.edu Middle East Institute 3 facts

claimThe Middle East Institute (MEI) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit educational organization that maintains full editorial control over its work and does not engage in advocacy activities.

accountLeo Hochberg is a graduate of Oberlin College in Ohio with a major in Politics and MENA studies, and he currently supports the Middle East Institute (MEI) Cyber Program as an intern.

accountEliza Campbell serves as the Co-Director of the Middle East Institute's (MEI) Cyber Program and is a researcher in technology and human rights at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University.

How active have Iran's proxy groups been since the start of the war? theconversation.com The Conversation Mar 20, 2026 1 fact

perspectiveNadwa al-Dawsari of the Middle East Institute suggests that Iran may be holding Houthi intervention in reserve, potentially to use long-range missile and drone attacks against Gulf states and Israel later in the conflict.

Monday Briefing: Israel-Hamas war: Conflict scenarios, ... mei.edu Middle East Institute Oct 16, 2023 1 fact

claimPaul Salem, President and CEO of the Middle East Institute, identifies two potential scenarios for Israel's ground incursion into Gaza: a full-scale invasion and occupation of the entire Gaza Strip to root out Hamas, or a larger-scale version of previous Israeli invasions of Gaza.

From Arab Spring to regional reset: Saudi-Iranian rivalry ... - Frontiers frontiersin.org Frontiers Sep 28, 2025 1 fact

referenceG. Feierstein authored the report 'Resolving the Conflict in Yemen: US Interests, Risks and Policy,' published by the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC in 2017.