To engage with these course objectives, consider these discussion prompts:
(1) Pick one outside actor (either the US, Russia, or China) and describe their interests in the Middle East and North Africa under their current administrations. What is at stake for them in the MENA? Who are their closest friends?
(2) What do the interests of these foreign actors portend for the future of democracy?
(3) Since we have already considered the role of other states in the MENA, please search one of these resources and find an article, video, or page relevant to this week’s topic. Tell us in a short paragraph what you found and what information it adds (be sure to provide the link). Note that the institutes listed here have a variety of political leanings — be aware of all possible leanings when you read their publications. Links are here (see below)
Resources on MENA
Middle East Research Institute
Middle East Dialogue (click to the right to see lists of videos)
The Cairo Review
Middle East Media Research Institute
Middle East Institute
Council on Foreign Relations
Look for a non-Western news article here for a different perspective: Al Monitor
Jadaliyya has media round-ups for specific countries
Middle East Research and Information Project
These are all great sources to bookmark for keeping up with current debates and perspectives.
https://www.thecairoreview.com/
https://www.memri.org/
https://www.mei.edu/
https://www.cfr.org/
https://www.al-monitor.com/
https://www.jadaliyya.com/
https://merip.org/about
