The U.S./Middle East Project initiated consultations among leading policy institutions in the Arab world, Europe and the United States and assisted them in the formation of an international consortium that will focus on issues associated with democratization and regional reform. The purpose of this network is to mobilize the Arab research capacity in support of reform in the Arab World that is realistic and home grown. The U.S./Middle East Project continues to serve as consultant to this initiative in coordination with four European policy institutes and provides support as needed. Financial oversight of the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI) was assigned to the Center for European Reform in May 2005. In September 2005, Dr. Bassma Kodmani was made full-time director for the program. From October 24-25, 2005, the Secretariat of the Arab Reform Initiative convened in Cairo to discuss the organization's work plan for 2006. Dr. Kodmani anticipates publication of several topical and country studies in the coming year. In addition, ARI will co-sponsor two conferences in 2006 focusing on comparative experiences in democratic transition and security sector reform in the Arab world, respectively. The Arab Reform Initiative's website is now accessible to the public [in both English and Arabic] at http://www.arab-reform.net/ and ARI publications are now regularly disseminated to International Board members, key policymakers, policy professionals, academics and members of civil society throughout the Middle East, United States and Europe.

Asia will play an increasingly leading role on the international stage in this century. Some of the most pressing issues in East, South, and Central Asia--the rapid economic rise of China and India, North Korea's nuclear program, slowly warming relations between nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India, the potential for conflict between China and Taiwan, Japan's adjustments to its changing economic fortunes, and the ongoing attempts to rebuild Afghanistan--will significantly affect the course of global events.

In this book, the author analyzes how the U.S. ought to manage immigration, taking into account politics, sociology, economics, and international relations. He calls for a benign attitude toward illegal immigration, a policy stance he supports even in the wake of September 11.

Expected publication date: Spring 2006

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has launched an international initiative to connect leading foreign policy institutes from around the world in a common conversation on issues of global governance and multilateral cooperation. The mission of the Council of Councils is to find common ground on shared threats, build support for innovative ideas, and inject remedies into the public debate and policymaking processes of member countries.

The founding membership of the Council of Councils includes leading institutions from nineteen countries, roughly tracking the composition of the Group of Twenty (G20). The network will facilitate candid, not-for-attribution dialogue and consensus building among influential opinion leaders from established and emerging nations.

In addition to an annual conference, the Council of Councils will provide an ongoing exchange for research and policy collaboration among its members. CFR and its international partners will experiment with new technology, using state-of-the-art videoconferencing, wikis, and mobile platforms to collectively communicate and respond to breaking crises. The group will also consider long-term structural reforms that would enhance the global governance capacity of leading international institutions.

The Council of Councils initiative is funded by a generous grant from the Robina Foundation, as part of its ongoing support for CFR's International Institutions and Global Governance program.

This roundtable series examines the impact of Islamist movements in the Middle East and Pakistan, with special attention to innovative efforts by civil society groups to counter radicalization.

From the Atlantic to the Gulf of Oman, the Middle East is witnessing unprecedented change and transformation. At this pivotal time of popular uprisings, revolutions, and ongoing efforts toward Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, this roundtable series seeks to generate a deeper, richer understanding of the vast array of issues currently shaping the region. To this end, the series brings together policymakers, opinion leaders, and government officials with the most intimate knowledge of the Middle East to enrich the dialogue both on developments in the region and U.S. policy.