Source description last updated: 4 May 2023

In brief: The Middle East Institute (MEI) is a non-profit think tank based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to the study of the Middle East.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Selected policy analysis documents, including reports, policy papers, articles, briefs and blog posts

Not regularly covered on ecoi.net.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

Founded in 1946 (MEI website: About Us, undated), the Middle East Institute (MEI) is a “private, non-profit, nonpartisan institution working for improved understanding and better policy between the people of the Middle East and the United States, and in the general interest of peace, human security, prosperity and better governance.” MEI emphasizes that it is not affiliated or aligned with any US or non-US institution, government or political party. (MEI website: Intellectual Independence and Donor Acceptance Policy, undated)

MEI’s policy research programmes, led by scholars and regional experts, produce analysis and organise roundtables and public events. (MEI website: Policy Research & Analysis, undated)

MEI says that its experts have deep ties and decades of work experience in the Middle East, ranging in backgrounds from “former U.S. diplomats and officials to prominent young scholars on the forefront of their fields.” Its resident scholars are based at MEI’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., while non-resident scholars are either based elsewhere in the US or the Middle East. (MEI website: MEI Experts, undated)

MEI states that it “does not engage in advocacy […]. MEI welcomes financial donations but retains sole editorial control over its work and its publications reflect only the authors’ views.” (see, for example, MEI: ISIS beats back Wagner offensive in central Syria, 21 April 2023)

Funding:

“MEI accepts two kinds of support: General unrestricted contributions; and programmatic support for specific projects” (MEI website: Intellectual Independence and Donor Acceptance Policy, undated). Major donors include the embassies of Gulf States in Washington, D.C. (with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates listed as the single largest donor), the US Department of State, foundations, and private corporations including US and Middle Eastern oil companies (MEI: 2022 Contributors, April 2023; MEI: 2021 Contributors, February 2022; MEI: 2020 Contributors, February 2022). In 2021, MEI’s total assets amounted to 35,038,211 US dollars, while its total revenue amounted to 5,962,213 US dollars. (MEI: 2021 Annual Report, p. 26)

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, North Africa and the Sahel, Israel and Palestine, Syria, Türkiye, Black Sea region

Thematic focus: defence and security affairs (including terrorism and extremism), conflicts, national politics, international relations, economy and energy, environment

Methodology:

MEI’s articles are primarily based on the author’s own expertise and analysis (see, for example, MEI: China and the Saudi-Iran rapprochement: Implications for Yemen, 5 April 2023, MEI: ISIS beats back Wagner offensive in central Syria, 21 April 2023, and MEI: Democratic pessimism in Tunisia, 28 February 2023). MEI reports draw on public sources that are referenced by means of endnotes (see, for example, MEI: Between the Coalition, Isis, and Assad courting the tribes of Deir Ez-zor, November 2020, pp. 13-15 and MEI: Islamic State under-reporting in Central Syria: Misdirection, Misinformation, or Miscommunication?, September 2021, pp. 21-23). These include sources writing in local languages (see, for example, MEI: Between the Coalition, Isis, and Assad courting the tribes of Deir Ez-zor, November 2020, pp. 13-14). In addition, reports may be based on interviews conducted with local stakeholders such as members of security forces and may also include quantitative analysis of sets of data extracted from social media (see, for example, MEI: Islamic State under-reporting in Central Syria: Misdirection, Misinformation, or Miscommunication?, September 2021, p. 6).

Language of publication:

English

Methodological note:

ecoi.net's source descriptions contain background information on an organisation’s mission & objective, funding and reporting methodology, as well as on how we cover the source. The descriptions were prepared after researching publicly accessible information within time constraints. Most information contained in a source description was taken from the source itself. The aim is to provide a brief introduction to the sources covered regularly, offering information on relevant aspects in one place in a systematic manner. 

All links accessed 4 May 2023