Toward A New U.S.-Middle East Strategy is a joint Saban Center at Brookings-Council on Foreign Relations project staffed by Middle East experts from both policy establishments.? After an eighteen-month period that includes trips to the region, research, and consultation with government officials in the United States and the Middle East, the strategy group will publish a final report, brief members of the incoming administration, and present its recommendations for constructing a new Middle East policy framework to the public.

The United States is faced with an array of serious challenges in the Middle East, perhaps unprecedented in the past fifty years. An attempt to provoke a revolutionary change in the Middle East has collapsed with a large U.S. land army lodged in the heart of the region. The United States now confronts a Middle East that features an imploding Iraqi state, an aggressive Islamic Republic about to cross the nuclear threshold and a Palestinian state broken into two failed entities.

The Roundtable on the U.S. and Middle East will seek to develop strategies for the next administration. Should the United States attempt to recoup its position by pressing forward, albeit more prudently and with international cooperation, or should the United States go "back to the future," and place "stability over freedom," to use President Bush's phrase? Is it time to create an alliance with Sunnis to stave off the immediate threat of Iranian encroachment? What should the United States' grand strategy be in the Middle East? These and other questions will be the focus of monthly discussions.

Since September 11, 2001, U.S.-Middle East policy has sought to promote reform in the Arab and Islamic World as a U.S. national security priority. This roundtable series sheds light on the complex issues that the countries of the Middle East present and explores the different avenues available to U.S. policymakers seeking to promote change in that region. By drawing on the experience of a variety of speakers with particular expertise on social, political, and economic reform, women's issues, education, and the media, this roundtable series intends to enrich the current debate on reform promotion in the Arab world with a range of top-tier perspectives and policy recommendations in an informal discussion setting.

Mohamad Bazzi says last year's unrest and violent crackdown in Iran were actually battles in a larger war that has been raging for centuries within Shiism: a struggle over who should rule the faithful, and how.

Ray Takeyh asks, "Just how stable is Iran's clerical regime?"

Mohamad Bazzi says that as Nouri al-Maliki has finally cobbled together Iraq's new government, the bitter compromises and power-sharing deals are likely to unleash a sectarian clash between Shias, the minority Sunnis, and Kurds.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses Nouri al-Maliki's second term as prime minister of Iraq.

Elliott Abrams says the current special envoy to the Middle East does not understand the problem there.

Ray Takeyh says that as Tehran engages the world on its nuclear infractions, it becomes easier for Iran repress its domestic opponents.

Elliott Abrams says the State Department leaks reveal that what non-democratic regimes tell us is very different from what they tell their people.

Elliott Abrams and Michael Singh argue that President Obama's new proposal to Israel is a step backward in the effort to establish an enduring peace in the Middle East.

Dana H. Allin and Steven Simon argue that while the "tea party" agenda in the midterm election focused largely on domestic issues, Republican gains in Congress fueled by the movement will have profound foreign policy consequences.

Steven A. Cook discusses whether Egypt can continue to have an influential role on the politics of the Middle East and beyond.

Ray Takeyh argues, "as part of any negotiations with the West, the Islamic Republic should be asked to amend not just its nuclear infractions but also its human rights abuses."

Robert Danin says Benjamin Netanyahu must clarify his plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that war has rendered Iraq a pawn in regional battles, and placed the entire Middle East at risk for sectarian conflict.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses Muqtada al-Sadr's involvement in the formation of Iraq's government and the selection of its new prime minister.

Thomas W. Lippman reviews Songs of Blood and Sword by Fatima Bhutto.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses the Shiite influence in Lebanon.

Steven Simon and Jonathan Stevenson say that recent terrorist plots reveal a shift in al-Qaeda's strategy.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses what Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was trying to accomplish with his UN speech.

Mohamad Bazzi says, "Mr Ahmadinejad's struggle to burnish his credibility mirrors the entire Iranian regime's quest for renewed legitimacy."

Ray Takeyh argues that Washington's attempts to have Iran rejoin the international community will be unsuccessful, since the Islamic Republic is too mired in ideological and domestic disagreements to act in the nation's interest.

With the conclusion of the United States' combat role in Iraq, Mohamad Bazzi asks what kind of country Iraq's citizens are inheriting after seven years of occupation and civil war.

Elliott Abrams comments on the new round of direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians and cautions the Obama Administration to avoid several potential pitfalls.

Noah Feldman explains why the draw-down of troops in Iraq is a beginning and not an end.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that as U.S. troops in Iraq became mired in fighting an insurgency, Iran extended its influence.

Elliott Abrams says that hostility toward Israel should be left out of the debate over striking against Iran's nuclear program.

Ray Takeyh clarifies the extent of the CIA's involvement in the 1953 coup in Iran.

Elliott Abrams says the United States--rather than Israel--may strike against Iran's nuclear program.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses Lebanon's role in a power struggle among Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

Mohamad Bazzi says Lebanon's southern frontier with Israel is the most volatile border in the Middle East today.

Elliott Abrams tells the complex story of Arab-Israeli-Iranian relations over this summer.

Daniel Senor argues that plans to locate a mosque near Ground Zero undermine the goal of interfaith understanding.

Mohamad Bazzi says that the United States has lost leverage in being able to force Iraqi leaders to end their current political stalemate.

Steven Simon and Ray Takeyh say that President Obama's decision on the use of force against Iran would hinge on factors well beyond Iran's timetable for obtaining a bomb.

Rachel Schneller says withdrawal from military engagement in Iraq is overdue for the United States.

?

Lisa Anderson , Steven A. Cook , and Michele Dunne examine Egypt's political future in a post-Mubarak world.

Mohamad Bazzi says Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's rise could stoke sectarian tensions in Iraq--and help Iran.

Daniel Senor and Saul Singer discuss Israel's role as a global innovation leader.

Mohamad Bazzi says President Obama's actions have fallen short of his words on revamping America's relationship with the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that international pressure on Syria is the only hope for freedom for the regime's dissidents.

Elliott Abrams argues that Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas sends conflicting messages to the international community and to Palestinians.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is positioning himself as "kingmaker" in Iraq.

Mohamad Bazzi comments on the death of Shiite cleric Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah.

Robert Danin says the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, brokered by the United States, is heading toward a meltdown in September.

Elliott Abrams , Robert Malley , Dore Gold , and Andrew Exum discuss President Obama's? policies in the Middle East.

Ray Takeyh says the Green movement today is America's only realistic path to a constructive and durable nuclear compact with Iran.

Mohamad Bazzi explains how Muqtada al-Sadr reshapes Iraqi politics.

Elliott Abrams argues, "President Obama makes the Middle East an even more dangerous place."

Mohamad Bazzi says a more moderate, democratic vision of Shiism could ultimately resolve the current conflict in Iran.

Mohamad Bazzi says that by surviving its internal challenge, the Iranian regime has emerged stronger.

Ray Takeyh and Suzanne Maloney say only an approach involving direct dialogue and strategic patience can produce lasting success in dealing with Iran.

Elliott Abrams says that amidst the international frenzy over the Gaza flotilla disaster, the Obama administration has abandoned Israel at the United Nations.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that regardless of whether the United States and Israel like it, Hamas represents a majority in Gaza.

Steven A. Cook says that after six decades of strategic cooperation, Turkey and the United States are becoming strategic competitors.

Steven Simon and Jonathan Stevenson argue that demilitarizing Hezbollah is crucial to rolling back Iranian influence in the Middle East and shaping an environment more conducive to Arab-Israeli accomodation.

Steven Simon and Jonathan Stevenson discuss the attempted car bombing in Times Square.

Elliott Abrams argues that fifteen months of President Obama's diplomacy have undermined Palestinian autonomy and the willingness of Palestinian leaders to allow Arab states to determine their fate.

Elliott Abrams argues that if indeed Syria is supplying Hezbollah with SCUD missiles, Israel's right to self defense as well as the relevant UN resolutions allow military action against this threat--and the United States should make this clear.

Ray Takeyh states that the best means to soften U.S. relations with the Iran is to decouple Iran's nuclear situation from the Middle East peace process.

Elliott Abrams argues, "The Obama administration's Middle East diplomacy goes from bad to worse."

Thomas W. Lippman examines a looming food and water crisis in Saudi Arabia.

Elliott Abrams says, "A piece of paper will not bring peace to the Middle East"

Summary

The return of Mohamed El Baradei to Egypt has raised questions about the country's political system and the rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Is reform possible, and if so, is El Baradei the man to lead it?

Elliott Abrams criticizes U.S. policy toward Syria, saying "engagement " and "appeasement" look very similar.

Lydia Khalil says that while terrorist attacks motivated by Islamic extremism receive large scale attention, the growing threat of homegrown radicalism tends to be "put on the back-burner."

Steven A. Cook comments on the successes of the Bush administration's policies on Syria, Iran, and democracy in the Middle East.

Meghan L. O'Sullivan discusses why, in Iraq, "the process of forming a government is likely to be prolonged."

Rachel Schneller says, "The massive upheaval of Iraq's population that has occurred since 2006 threatens the long-term stability of the country, regardless of short-term gains achieved through the political process or military surges."

James M. Lindsay and Ray Takeyh state that in efforts to contain a nuclear Iran, "military options should not be taken off the table."

Rachek Schneller explains the divisions among Shi'a Arabs in Iraq.

Lydia Khalil provides a guide to al-Qaeda's organization.

Lydia Khalil asks, "What, if anything, does an association with al-Qaeda mean today?"

Elliott Abrams argues that the first year of the Obama Administration's Middle East policy has clearly failed and urges that the administration reevaluate its approach.

Elliott Abrams says, "a larger Haitian diaspora would be a far better base for the country's economic future than aid pledges that may or may not be met."

In an interview with The Atlantic 's Jeffrey Goldberg, Elliott Abrams discusses the current Middle East situation and chances for peace negotiations.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that the failure to advance democracy and human rights in the Middle East has been one of the Obama administration's biggest disappointments.

Mohamad Bazzi discusses the contradictions between U.S. rhetoric and actions in the Middle East.

Elliot Abrams counteracts arguments that portray life among the Palestinians as unbearable and getting worse.

Regarding the war in Afghanistan, Daniel Senor and Peter Wehner argue, "Republicans should never do to President Obama what many Democrats did to President Bush."

Elliott Abrams observes that in the current human rights debate, "Hillary Clinton mouths an old Communist bromide."

Mohamad Bazzi argues, "Internal problems won't stop Tehran from stirring up trouble abroad."

Elliott Abrams argues that support for democracy and human rights should be present in U.S. foreign policy toward Egypt.

Elliott Abrams comments, "The [Obama] administration views the Israeli-Palestinian issue as the root of all problems, while Israel is focused on Iran's nuclear threat."

Lydia Khalil reviews NBC's "The Wanted."

Steven Simon discusses the investigation into twenty Americans who are believed to have joined a militant Islamist group in Somalia.

Lydia Khalil argues, "Reformers hope to fulfill the work they began 30 years ago."

Elliott Abrams argues that the Obama administration is not acknowledging prior understandings about settlements in the West Bank.

Steven A. Cook explores the question, "Why haven't the Israelis attacked Iran's nuclear facilities?"

Steven A. Cook says, "Spending money on democracy promotion in Egypt only made matters worse."

Elliott Abrams suggests that President Obama's speech in Cairo should focus on "freedom and the future."

Steven A. Cook discusses President Obama's speech in Cairo.

Thomas W. Lippman argues that Cairo's Al Azhar mosque would be the ideal location for President Obama's speech in Egypt.

Elliott Abrams discusses the upcoming meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Elliott Abrams reviews The Persian Night by Amir Taheri, in Commentary .

Lydia Khalil argues that President Obama need not lecture Iraqi leaders in order to convey U.S. support for Iraq's independence and sovereignty.

Elliott Abrams argues that calls for a freeze on settlement activity beyond the Israeli border are counterproductive to laying the foundation for a future Palestinian entity.

Steven A. Cook examines the decline in popular support for Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's Justice and Development Party.

In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, CFR's Ray Takeyh says "more imaginative U.S. diplomacy" with Tehran can still prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear threat.