Crown Center for Middle East Studies
@mes-crown.bsky.social
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The Crown Center for Middle East Studies is committed to conducting balanced and dispassionate research of the modern Middle East that meets the highest academic standards. https://www.brandeis.edu/crown/
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UPCOMING SEMINAR: Join us in person & online for a conversation with @valinasr.bsky.social of @jhu.edu & @safiraleaf.bsky.social, moderated by @naghmehs.bsky.social, on U.S.– #Iran relations, #nuclear diplomacy, & regional stability on Oct. 30, at 4:30 PM. Register now: bit.ly/4nH3l5O
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2 years after the attacks of October 7, 2023, Shai Feldman, Raymond Frankel Professor in Israeli Politics and Society, traces the evolution of Israel's defence strategy & asks if #Israel can bring the #Gaza War to an end: bit.ly/4o2NYnW
Israel’s Defense Strategy, Two Years After October 7
On the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks, the causes, events, and aftermath of that day leave one crucial question to be addressed: Can Israel escape the Gaza trap?
bit.ly
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What effect have sanctions had on #Iran's middle class? Is it possible to separate those effects from the results of regime economic policy? Nader Habibi, Henry J. Leir Prof. of the Economics of the #MiddleEast, writes in Al Jazeera: www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...
Guess who the Western sanctions on Iran have crippled? The middle class
Sanctions have destroyed the Iranian middle class – the very driver of stability and moderation.
www.aljazeera.com
mes-crown.bsky.social
Founding senior fellow & director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research Khalil Shikaki showcased his book project on public opinion in #Palestine and the Oslo peace process.
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Nader Andrawos, junior research fellow, presented his ongoing research on the concept of rights & its critiques in #Egypt & the Arab world.
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Today is our Fall Scholars' Retreat! The Center's intellectual community gathered to share & engage with our ongoing research on the modern #MiddleEast. We began with Ibrahim Elhoudaiby, junior research fellow, presenting his work on late-19th century #Egypt, sovereignty, & Islamic law.
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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The Winter '25/Spring '26 application cycle for Brandeis undergraduate and graduate student research grants is now open! Apply by Oct. 31. See full eligibility & terms on our website: www.brandeis.edu/crown/grants...
Research and Study Grants
www.brandeis.edu
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OUT NOW: How has October 7 affected public opinion in the Arab world, the West Bank, & Gaza? Watch the recording of our kick off event with Amaney Jamal & Michael Robbins of Arab Barometer, & Crown founding senior fellow Khalil Shikaki, moderated by Michal Ben-Josef Hirsch: youtu.be/EDbxrSDEihw
The Arab Public and the Gaza War | Fall '25 Kick Off Event
YouTube video by Crown Center for Middle East Studies
youtu.be
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Hear from Shai Feldman, Raymond Frankel Prof. in Israeli Politics & Society, Crown founding director, & author of our latest Middle East Brief, on the converging crises that led to one of the largest protests in Israel's history: brandeis.edu/crown/public... | #gaza #middleeast #israel
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TOMORROW: There's still time to register to attend our Fall kick off event! Join us at 4:30 PM, in person and online: brandeis.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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How is public opinion in the Arab world shifting in response to the war in #Gaza? Join us online & in person for a conversation between Amaney Jamal & Michael Robbins of Arab Barometer, and Crown founding fellow Khalil Shikaki, moderated by Michal Ben-Josef Hirsch: brandeis.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The Crown Center is now accepting applications for its Junior Research Fellowship, to begin on Sept. 1, 2026. Deadline: Oct. 31, 2025. See full terms & eligibility on the application page: academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30422
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NEW MIDDLE EAST BRIEF: Shai Feldman, Raymond Frankel Professor in Israeli Politics & Society, argues that possibly the largest protest in #Israel's history was the result of converging crises driving polarization, creating a domestic “perfect storm”:

www.brandeis.edu/crown/public...
Israel’s Domestic “Perfect Storm”
www.brandeis.edu
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Don't forget to sign up for the our mailing list to stay up-to-date on all the Crown Center's research and programming: www.brandeis.edu/crown/email-...
Crown Center Email List
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mes-crown.bsky.social
How is public opinion in the Arab world shifting in response to the war in #Gaza? Join us online & in person for a conversation between Amaney Jamal & Michael Robbins of Arab Barometer, and Crown founding fellow Khalil Shikaki, moderated by Michal Ben-Josef Hirsch: brandeis.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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The Crown Center for Middle East Studies invites you to our exciting lineup of in-person and virtual events this fall. Save the dates and register for virtual attendance! www.brandeis.edu/crown/events...

@valinasr.bsky.social @safiraleaf.bsky.social | #iran #iraq #gaza #middleeast
mes-crown.bsky.social
In his latest article, Henry J. Leir Prof. of the Economics of the Middle East Nader Habibi examines democracy & Islamic societies, arguing that democracy is "an important instrument for economic and technological empowerment." Read the full piece: theislamicjournal.com/may-2025/
May 2025 – theislamicjournal.com
theislamicjournal.com
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How has US President Donald Trump's approach to the #MiddleEast accelerated authoritarian entrenchment & weakened traditional alliances? Read the latest Crown Conversation with Myra & Robert Kraft Professor of Arab Politics Eva Bellin:

www.brandeis.edu/crown/public... | #UAE #Iran #Israel
Trump’s (Dis)Order and its Impact on the Middle East
www.brandeis.edu
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With continuing economic sanctions & deepening diplomatic isolation, what outlets does #Iran have to the global economy? Watch Henry J. Leir Professor of the Economics of the Middle East Nader Habibi's recent segment on Iran's international trade under sanctions with @aljazeeraa.bsky.social:
mes-crown.bsky.social
What options does #Israel have for escaping its current strategic predicament? Shai Feldman, Raymond Frankel Prof. in Israeli Politics & Society at @brandeisuniversity.bsky.social outlines Israel's situation & charts a path forward in The National Interest:

nationalinterest.org/feature/isra...
Israel Is at a Strategic Dead End
The only way around Hamas is to offer a plan for temporary joint-Arab governance of the Gaza Strip under a revitalized Palestinian Authority.
nationalinterest.org
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The Crown Center brings together experts on the #MiddleEast from across disciplines. Watch Crown scholars, past & present, discuss the future of #Turkey, #Iraq, & the #Gulf as part of our recent 20th anniversary symposium:

youtu.be/-EPj16P7qgw | @onber.bsky.social @kbclarke.bsky.social
The Future of Turkey, Iraq, and the Gulf | Crown at 20: The Future of the Middle East
YouTube video by Crown Center for Middle East Studies
youtu.be
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As the new academic year approaches, don't forget to sign up for our email list to stay up-to-date on the latest in research and programming from the Crown Center: www.brandeis.edu/crown/email-...
Crown Center Email List
www.brandeis.edu
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Join Profs. Shai Feldman & Khalil Shikaki & other members of the #Brandeis community for an engaging & unique experience, seen here in this snapshot from the course in the Fall of '24!