Background Basics on U.S. Middle East Policy
- Overview of Recent International Sanctions on Iran
- Background Basics | Oct 5, 2010
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UN Sanctions
Passed: June 9, 2010
The sanctions passed with twelve states voting in favor, Lebanon abstaining, and Turkey and Brazil voting against. The sanctions were the fourth round passed by the UN. They include, among other provisions, further restrictions on arms sales to Iran; increased inspection of cargo with Iran as its destination or point of launch; prohibitions on Iran investing in other countries’ nuclear-related activities; additional restrictions on Iranian banks outside the country with connections - Efforts Toward Middle East Peace Post-1991 Madrid Conference
- Background Basics | Sep 28, 2010
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In October 1991, the United States and Soviet Union co-sponsored a peace summit in Madrid that included representatives from the European Community, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation. The Arab Maghreb Union, Gulf Cooperation Council and UN were observers to the talks. The conference served as the starting point for a series of negotiating tracks between Israel and the surrounding Arab countries.
Israeli-Palestinian Track
Concurrent to the official bilateral talks, Israelis and Palestinians began unofficial - U.S. Administration Efforts Toward Middle East Peace, March-July
- Background Basics | Aug 20, 2010
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Top-Down Track
Proximity Talks
Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell is concluding his sixth round of talks this week, which have included meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Plans for proximity talks were announced in March, but the first round did not begin - Outcomes of the United States-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue
- Background Basics | Apr 6, 2010
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The United States and Pakistan held strategic talks at the ministerial level on March 24-25 in Washington. Below is a look at some key outcomes of the meetings.
• Progress on $125 million for energy development through the Signature Energy Program, initially announced in October 2009.
• An announcement of $40 million in U.S. infrastructure aid for roads, part of which will go to the Swat Valley, a former Taliban stronghold.
• An agreement for the United
- Administration Efforts Toward Middle East Peace Since September
- Background Basics | Mar 23, 2010
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The administration has been combining “top-down,” “bottom-up” and regional efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In November, this led to Israel’s announcement of a 10-month moratorium on settlement construction in the West Bank. On March 8, Senator George Mitchell announced the advent of proximity talks between Israelis and Palestinians that have since been thrown into question. While much activity has occurred out of the public eye, the following is a snapshot of the administration’s public efforts since President
- A Recent Flurry of Administration Trips to the Region
- Background Basics | Feb 23, 2010
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An assortment of senior administration officials recently visited the Gulf and broader Middle East to discuss bilateral relations, Iran and Middle East peace. The following is a timeline of the recent meetings:
February 14
• Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at the U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Qatar and met with Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani as well as Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani. In addition, Clinton met with Turkish Prime Minister - Overview of Recent State-Building Efforts
- Background Basics | Feb 2, 2010
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In August 2009, the Palestinian Authority (PA) issued “Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State,” a program which identified specific goals for strengthening Palestinian institutions to establish the foundation for a Palestinian state. In January 2010, the PA published a document titled “Palestine: Moving Forward, Priority Interventions for 2010” which delineates 201 priority projects for the PA in 2010. All of these projects are meant to be implemented in the West Bank and Gaza; however, recognizing that the PA
- 2006 Donor Conference For Yemen
- Background Basics | Jan 26, 2010
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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will host a meeting on January 27 to discuss ways that foreign countries can work with Yemen to curb the growth of terrorism and assist the government. A major donor conference for Yemen was held in 2006, with follow-up conferences in the years after.
What: Yemen Consultative Group (CG) Meeting
When: November 15 and 16, 2006
Who: Senior officials from 39 donor countries and development agencies
Host: United Kingdom
Sponsor: Gulf Cooperation - Middle East Investment Initiative Overview
- Background Basics | Nov 24, 2009
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The Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII), a partner organization of Middle East Progress, is an independent, non-profit organization founded by the Aspen Institute in 2005 to strengthen the economies of the Palestinian territories and other countries in the region, recognizing that a strong economic base is critical for social and political stability. Working in partnership with the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and CHF International, MEII uses innovative
- A Guide to the Final Status Issues
- Background Basics | Oct 20, 2009
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Four core issues are central to an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement: borders, Jerusalem, refugees and security. Israelis and Palestinians started discussing these issues officially in late 1999 and throughout 2000, including at the Camp David summit in July 2000. Negotiations over these issues were renewed at the Annapolis summit in November 2007. Although progress was made at that time, and further progress has been made since, these questions remain at the heart of resolving the conflict.
Borders