Project on Middle East Democracy

POMED Seminars for Policy Professionals


POMED Seminars offer a low-cost opportunity for policy professionals to receive graduate-level training in political analysis and support for democracy in the Middle East.  Seminars feature a different guest lecturer every week, and classes are kept small to encourage interactive discussions. Classes meet once a week, from 7:00-8:30, for 10 weeks, at the Washington DC office of the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), at 2121 K St NW, Washington DC 20037.

This spring, we will again offer two courses: “Autocratic Persistence: Sources and Varieties of Change” on Monday evenings, and “Supporting Democracy in the Middle East: Tools and Strategy”on Wednesday evenings.  Classes begin February 22, and each class is capped at 12 participants, so sign up today!

We will accept participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. 


Autocratic Persistence in the Middle East: Sources and Varieties of Change

Monday Evenings, 7:00-8:30
March 11 - May 10

Click here for more detailed information on this course, including a full list of recommended readings.

This course will analyze the obstacles to democratic progress in the Middle East and the dynamics of political change.  Its aim is to equip participants to understand the existing political context in countries in the region as well as the varieties of change that have taken place recently and/or may occur today; distinguish between “façade” reform and genuine democratization; and identify potential opportunities for U.S. policy to positively impact democratization.  Lectures will highlight conditions and factors common to the region through the lens of particular country cases.

Schedule:

  1. Political Change in the Middle East: When, How, and What that Means for U.S. Actors (March 11) - Marina Ottaway
  2. Understanding the Present Climate: What’s Changed and What Does That Mean for Democracy Support? (March 15) - Leslie Campbell
  3. Opposition Actors: Secular Parties (March 22) - Steven Cook
  4. Opposition Actors: Islamist Organizations (date TBD) - Nathan Brown
  5. Civil Society Organizations (April 5) - Laura Schulz
  6. Labor (April 12) -Heba El-Shazli
  7. Political Economy and Current Economic Pressures (April 19) - Daniel Brumberg
  8. Regime Strategies and Reform (April 26) - Michele Dunne
  9. Case Study / Morocco: Setting the Scene (May 3) - William Zartman 
  10. Case Study / Morocco: Designing Democracy Support Strategies (May 10) - Marina Ottaway

Supporting Democracy in the Middle East: Tools and Strategy

Wednesday Evenings, 7:00-8:30
March 16 - May 12

Click here for more detailed information on this course, including a full list of recommended readings.

This course will examine the tools and strategies available to U.S. policymakers for encouraging genuine democratic progress, the links between these tools in theory and practice, and the process of policymaking from budgeting to decisions to execution. Its aim is to equip participants to navigate and influence various instruments of US policy relevant to democracy support.

Schedule:

  1. Coordinating Tools for Democracy Support: Cases from the Bush Administration (March 16) - Scott Carpenter
  2. The Congressional Appropriations Process (March 17) - Jim Kolbe
  3. From Appropriations to Programs: USAID (March 24) - Paige Alexander
  4. From Appropriations to Programs: MEPI and DRL (March 31) - lecturer to be confirmed
  5. MCC (April 7) - Rodney Bent
  6. The National Endowment for Democracy (April 14) - Eric Bjornlund
  7. International Actors (April 21) - Thomas Melia
  8. Public Rhetoric (April 28) - Tom Malinowski
  9. Diplomacy (May 5) -Ambassador Mark Palmer
  10. Supporting Democracy in the Middle East: Tools and Strategy (May 12) - Scott Carpenter


To Apply:
Complete the application below and pay the tuition fee.  You must pay this fee in order to secure your spot in the course - once the tuition fee is paid, it cannot be refunded in full if you are unable to complete the course.

Please briefly (100 words) summarize your interest in the POMED Seminar for Policy Professionals.