As part of the War on Terrorism, the United States has launched several major initiatives intended to remake the Middle East. This has included the overthrow of Saddam and the political reconstruction of Iraq; the “Road Map” proposal for Israeli-Palestinian peace; a “forward strategy” to encourage democracy in the region; multilateral efforts to contain nuclear proliferation; and a program to encourage economic growth. All told, it is the most ambitious policy ever attempted to transform the prospects of a region sunk in a generation of economic stagnation, religious turmoil, and violent conflicts. What impact has the War on Terrorism made on the Middle East? Can we see any progress toward U.S. goals? Are we moving toward an end of conflicts and a rebirth of economic and political change, or the reverse?
To examine these questions, the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Marvin Wachman Fund for International Education held a History Institute for Teachers on “A New Middle East?” Specially designed for secondary school teachers and curriculum supervisors, the weekend-long program featured a series of lectures by leading scholars.
You can find the complete list of topics and speakers as well as other information about the event itself from the original event announcement.