A Blog of the UCLA Center for Middle East Development
A blog of the UCLA Center for Middle East Development (CMED).
These articles represent the views of the authors only, and do not constitute the positions of UCLA, the International Institute, or the Center for Middle East Development. Articles are primarily written by UCLA undergraduate students.
An interview with the director and co-producer of “Three,” a short film that provides a glimpse into the lives, desires, and struggles of three Syrian refugees. The film captures the human cost of war and the nuance behind the refugee label.
Read MoreMany believe the upcoming presidential election will complete Tunisia’s transition into a functioning democracy after last month’s successful parliamentary elections. However, others have brought these claims into question.
Read MoreIf destabilization in Yemen remains the status quo, then the West should be concerned about the increased threat of global terrorism. Who are the political actors and militant groups in the region? What are the implications for continued U.S. financial backing and armed support in Yemen?
Read MoreThe lingua franca at the Center for Middle East Development is a motley blend of Arabic, Persian, Yiddish and Hebrew representing the languages of our multicultural staff and volunteers. It’s hard not to pick up the slang and idioms because, yani, we can’t always find the words in our native language.
Read MoreLast week, Melinda Gates delivered a lecture at UCLA about gender equality and reproductive rights. Here are some of her thoughts as they related to the Middle East.
Read MoreAfghanistan and opium share an ancient history together. However, with opium sales and use booming, Afghanistan and the drug trade have never been as intertwined as they are today. What are the causes of the exponential rise in Afghan opium cultivation and what can be done to curb it?
Read MoreIn only one week from today, millions of Americans will go to the polls and cast their ballots for whom they wish to represent them in the US Congress. With many citing President Obama's poor handling of recent international affairs, various polls project a full Republican takeover of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. What are the implications for continued US strategy in the MENA region? What does this mean for President Obama in his handling of important foreign policies for the rest of his term?
(Photo credit: US Government)
Read MoreYouth unemployment is a rampant and costly problem in the Middle East: unemployment rates are upwards of 30 percent regionally, costing the region between US $40-$50 billion annually. The Middle East cannot afford the skills gap that is perpetuated by its ill-fitting education system.
Read MoreFor many, the answer seems simple: Turkey should listen to the demands of its Kurdish population and work alongside the international coalition against IS to fight the global threat that is looming on its border. But unfortunately, the situation is far more complicated.
Read MoreIranian president Hassan Rouhani is widely regarded by both the international community and his citizens as Iran's first moderate leader in recent history. His presidential agenda includes many liberal tenants like advancing human rights in Iran and finding a solution to the decade long nuclear dispute. However, the political power and conservatism of his superior, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has created an interesting dynamic between old versus new in Persian Politics.
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