Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 09/2008

PolicyWatch #1323: Special Forum Report: A Middle East Study Tour: Perspectives from Amman, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Tel Aviv

David Makovsky

December 2007

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Abstract

Upon returning from the latest Washington Institute Study Tour to the Middle East, senior fellow David Makovsky discussed his findings and impressions at a special Institute Policy Forum. The following is his own summary of his remarks at the forum. Senior fellow Soner Cagaptay addressed the forum as well, discussing his impressions from Turkey; a summary of his remarks was published as PolicyWatch no. 1322.

A group of Institute trustees and fellows recently visited Amman, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Tel Aviv, meeting with policymakers, scholars, journalists, and community leaders. In Jordan, the delegation found widespread concern over Iran's expanding regional influence. In Israel and the Palestinian territories, it seemed apparent that real changes on the ground were necessary to sustain the momentum from Annapolis.

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