POMED Notes: Strategies for Engaging Political Islam: A Middle East, U.S., and E.U. Trialogue

POMED Notes: Strategies for Engaging Political Islam: A Middle East, U.S., and E.U. Trialogue

Yesterday, POMED and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung hosted a discussion on developing practical strategies for engaging Islamists. Political Islam is becoming a major force in the Middle East, yet Western policymakers remain unfamiliar with its principles and practices. In working to promote democracy throughout the region, these parties can no longer be ignored. Therefore, what are the best ways to begin a dialogue? How do Middle Easterners think the U.S. and E.U. can play a positive role in dealing with Islamists? Where do American and European intiatives differ and are there shared opportunities for engagement?


Addressing these questions were Ruheil Gharaibeh, Deputy Secretary General of the Islamic Action Front in Jordan; Shadi Hamid, Director of Research for the Project on Middle East Democracy; Zoe Nautre, Visting Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations; Mona Yacoubian, Special Advisor for the Muslim World Initiative, Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention at USIP; and was moderated by Nathan Brown, Director of the Middle East Institute at George Washington University.


For POMED’s notes on this event click here.