The Middle East is considered a transcontinental region that comprises more than 370 million people. As one of the most important geopolitical locations on the planet, the Middle East can, at times, be almost impossible for the layman to untangle. Thanks to recent efforts by the United States of America with regard to the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Middle East has been making headlines with increasing frequency over the past two years. In order to get a clear picture of what is actually happening, bereft of any bias, you’ll want to consult a respected expert who works in the Middle East. Let’s highlight four prominent Middle East experts for your future research preferences.
1) Judith Yaphe – An appropriate understanding of Middle Eastern affairs should start with a well-rounded understanding of the politics in the region. Judith Yaphe is a respected fellow who has performed her research as part of the National Defense University. Prior to that position, Yaphe had spent more than two decades on the Persian Gulf working as a senior analyst. Yaphe has a collection of books covering Iraq and the surrounding area that are worth your consumption.
2) Amir Handjani – In order to stay up to date with trending news, it can be important to reference the Middle East expert Amir Handjani. Amir Handjani is an energy attorney who spends time in Washington D.C. as well as in the United Arab Emirates. Handjani covers the Middle East for a number of different publications. He is a fellow at the Truman National Security Project as well as a director of the RAK Petroleum Public Company.
3) Mohsen Milani – Mohsen Milani is a respected political scientist and analyst on foreign policy. Milani secured his Ph.D. in political science from the University of California before pursuing his research fellowships at Oxford, Harvard, and Foscari University. Milani has published more than 80 peer-reviewed journals on the Middle East as well as several pieces for national publications. As one of the most established political authors in the realm of Middle East politics, Milani is an important name to remember.
4) Farhad Kazemi – Rounding out our discussion of top-level Middle East experts is Farhad Kazemi. Farhad Kazemi currently works as a professor in politics at New York University. As part of his course, Kazemi seeks to help his students understand the Middle East and the overarching political issues that are impacting the world around us. Kazemi is a frequent contributor to various scholarly journals and he has given speeches to some of the most powerful figures in Middle Eastern politics while traveling around the world.
Understanding the Middle East is a quest that takes more than just tertiary research. While the names that have been highlighted above are some of the most respected journalists and scholars in the field, a multi-pronged approach and commitment to political news is required to get a full understanding of the area. With the news cycle always on the move, now is the right time to become better informed.
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