On Campus– in the Region

Middle East Initiative Harvard Kennedy School 2017–2018 On Campus– In the Region Supporting Learning Beyond the Classroom EMIRATES LEADERSHIP ALLISON SPENCER HARTNETT’S CURBING SUGARY INITIATIVE FUELS FRONT SEAT TO JORDAN’S BEVERAGES IN RESEARCH SOCIAL CONTRACT KUWAIT CONTENTS FACULTY CHAIR’S WELCOME ⴰⵣⵓⵍ Merhaba, world. We also support research سالم שלום مرحبا Greetings The previous academic year was one of milestones for the Middle through our research grants, East Initiative, which in 2018 celebrates its twentieth anniversary. which since its inception has In September 2017, we mourned the passing of John P. White, funded 53 projects by faculty who led the program for nine years—from 2001 to 2010—and members across 7 of Harvard’s helped build it into the globally esteemed program that it is today. 15 schools. These projects John was a valued colleague, friend, and university citizen whose include work by Professor fingerprints are to be found not just on the Middle East Initiative, Melani Cammett (Harvard but throughout the Kennedy School. This last year also marked the Department of Government) on passing of the torch by John’s successor as chair of the Middle East citizens and security threats in Initiative, Ambassador Nick Burns, who ran the program for eight the Middle East, Belfer Center years and secured major gifts that have allowed us to expand our co-Director Eric Rosenbach fellowship and faculty research programs. As I assume leadership of (Harvard Kennedy School) on this program, I am humbled by what my predecessors have achieved, technology and governance daunted by the magnitude of the task yet before us, and excited about in the Arab world, Professor the possibilities for growth and learning. Kristin Fabbe (Harvard Business I am also grateful to work with the outstanding team my School) on citizen prejudice predecessors assembled: Executive Director Hilary Rantisi, toward Arab and sub-Saharan Assistant Director Julia Martin, student and outreach coordinator African migrants in the Middle Maura James, and communications and events coordinator East and North Africa, Professor FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Middle East Initiative Christopher Mawhorter. The specialized titles these individuals Frank Hu (Harvard School of Public Health) on policies to limit the MOSAIC 2017-2018 hold belie the broad roles they play in making the program such a consumption of sugary drinks in Kuwait, and a project by the late, success: Hilary brings passion and dedication to all that we do. Julia esteemed Professor Peter Rogers (Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) on using technology to promote equitable water 04 EDITOR helps keep everything running on time, on budget, and according 08 use in Morocco. Chris Mawhorter to the best practices of Harvard University. Maura is our bridge By the Numbers Communications and Events Coordinator to Kennedy School students, constantly innovating in the ways in The Middle East Initiative could not do everything we do, and Emirates Leadership Initiative [email protected] Measuring a growing community which we bring the Middle East to them (and them to the Middle plan to do, without the generosity of our supporters, who provide ELI is making an impact at Harvard and DESIGNER East). And Chris not only plans our events, but crafts much of our the resources necessary to catalyze the very best policy-oriented in the Middle East. Delane Meadows scholarship on the region. This coming year marks important 05 [email protected] written material and media presence (including the document you now hold in your hands). milestones for two of our most important programs: the seventeenth Past Faculty Chairs Tarek Masoud As you read this sixth edition of Mosaic you will see what these anniversary of our Kuwait Program and the fifth year of the Emirates Honoring Nick Burns and John White Faculty Chair Leadership Initiative. In addition to continuing our work on those [email protected] remarkable people have built. One measure of the program’s success 11 critical programs, this year will also see the launch of a new cross- Hilary Rantisi and dynamism is the pace and range of the events we convene. Last 06 campus initiative on religion, peace, and conflict in the Middle East; A Front Seat to Director year the Middle East Initiative hosted 46 public events that covered a new fellowship program for students from Palestine; among other the Social Contract Program Updates [email protected] a broad array of trends and perspectives in the region. Local experts Maura James activities. Faculty Affiliates’ Research, Research at Harvard addressed the many earthshaking geopolitical events Research Fellow Allison Spencer Hartnett surveys Student and Outreach Coordinator The Middle East Initiative could not do everything we do, and Fellows’ Forthcoming Books, that befell the region this year, from Doha to Jerusalem to Riyadh to land reform and authoritarianisms’ agrarian roots, [email protected] plan to do, without the generosity of our supporters, who provide Expanding Opportunities Beirut. A series of book talks brought valuable perspectives on the and builds research synergies with her colleagues. Julia Martin, region’s political, economic, and social developments. Discussions the resources necessary to catalyze the very best policy-oriented Research and Financial Coordinator scholarship on the region. This coming year marks important 18 [email protected] with leading policy experts and former practitioners sharpened our grasp of contemporary crises and future prospects. Our film series milestones for two of our most important programs: the seventeenth PHOTOGRAPHY anniversary of our Kuwait Program and the fifth year of the Emirates Student Activities Bennett Craig, Tom Fitzsimmons, brought potent social observations from distinctive vantage points Leadership Initiative. In addition to continuing our work on those 15 and Research Martha Stewart, Nathalie Montaner, in Israel, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iran, Palestine, and Tunisia. And two critical programs, this year will also see the launch of a new cross- On Campus and In the Region Hani Mohammed, Vivian Tian, and academic conferences and two year-long research seminars kept us We Are Here Raychel Casey in touch with cutting-edge scholarship from down the hall to across campus initiative on religion, peace, and conflict in the Middle East; Student Fellows build community and spark the globe. a new fellowship program for students from Palestine; among other conversations on Middle East politics and policy 22 While we are always proud of our activities, our core objective activities. during their time at Harvard Kennedy School. Negotiating Complex remains to support cutting edge research on the challenges facing As you flip through the pages of Mosaic, I hope that you are as Humanitarian Emergencies the region. We do this in a number of ways. Our research fellowship energized and as excited by what is in them as I am. I hope also that in Syria program has brought 30 early career scholars to the Kennedy School you will be inspired to share with us your ideas and insights as the Middle East Initiative embarks on its next twenty years. 20 Claude Bruderlein’s January-term to finish their dissertations, write books, and produce new research. course deepens critical understanding This past year’s crop of fellows is particularly distinguished—as one for on-the-ground policy transformation Sugary Beverages Cover image might expect from a program that boasts a 5% acceptance rate—and is featured on pages 11-13. We have also hosted more than 15 visiting (Top Right) Hodan Osman MC/MPA ‘18 and Diabetes in Kuwait Tarek Masoud 24 at HKS Commencement Exercises 2018 senior scholars and practitioners on campus for terms varying from Faculty Researchers Frank Hu, Hala AlEssa, and Photo credit: Raychel Casey a few weeks to an entire year. Last year, we were pleased to welcome Faculty Chair, Middle East Initiative Jaako Tuomilehto examine sugary beverages as Events Highlights (Bottom Left) Street Art in Dubai, as a senior fellow Dr. Salam Fayyad, former prime minister of the a leading cause of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. and From historical studies to current events, United Arab Emirates Palestinian Authority from 2007 to 2013, who this coming year To learn more about Masoud’s research, Kuwait, and ways to curb consumption. covering a diverse and dynamic region Photo credit: Tom Fitzsimmons will lead a study group on the prospects for democracy in the Arab visit belfercenter.org/person/tarek-masoud 2 MOSAIC 2017-2018 belfercenter.org/MEI 3 BY THE NUMBERS PAST FACULTY CHAIRS Remembering ten 27 Former Faculty Chair student research projects scholars affiliated with MEI, John P. White and internships funded in the 12 faculty affiliates from across Middle East in summer 2017 Harvard (including our faculty On September 3, 2017, MEI joined the Belfer Center and and winter 2018 PAGE 19 chair), 6 research fellows, 2 Harvard Kennedy School communities in mourning the senior fellows, 7 resident and loss of former MEI Faculty Chair John P. White, who non-resident associates PAGE 6 Celebrating Nicholas passed away at the age of 80. A former U.S. Deputy Secre- tary of Defense, Harvard Kennedy School Professor, and 06.18.18 Burns’ Tenure as Faculty member of the Belfer Center’s Board of Directors, White date of official transition from was remembered most poignantly as a “dear former Faculty Chair Nick Burns Chair, 2010-2018 friend and close colleague,” by Belfer Center Director Ash Carter and all who knew and worked with him. to new Faculty Chair Tarek 47 John White began his Faculty Chairmanship in On June 18, 2018, Nicholas Burns, Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Masoud students traveled to the February 2001, two years after joining the faculty of Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations, region this year for research, Harvard Kennedy School in 1998 as Lecturer in Public officially passed the baton to his successor as MEI Faculty Chair, Tarek coursework, or internships, Masoud, Sultan of Oman Professor of International Relations.

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