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Nader Habibi

Nader Habibi is the Henry J. Leir Professor of Practice in the Economics of the Middle East at Brandeis University’s Crown Center for Middle East Studies. His current research project is focused on labor market conditions for university graduates in the Middle East. He also maintains a website on issues of underemployment and overeducation in developing countries (www.overeducation.org)

Before joining Brandeis University in June 2007, he served as managing director of economic forecasting and risk analysis for Middle East and North Africa in Global Insight Ltd. Mr. Habibi has more than 25 years of experience in teaching, research and management positions; including vice-president for research in Iran Banking Institute (Tehran), assistant professor of economics in Bilkent University (Ankara), research fellow and lecturer on political economy of Middle East at Yale University. The author of one book on bureaucratic corruption and several articles in refereed journals; he earned his Ph.D. in economics at Michigan State University.

His most recent research projects include an analysis of the excess supply of college graduates in MENA countries, impact of economic sanctions on Iranian economy and the impact of Arab Spring uprisings on economic conditions of the affected countries. Habibi also serves as director of Islamic and Middle East Studies at Brandeis University. He has recently published a work of fiction about Middle East geopolitics titled: Three Stories One Middle East (2014).

Global Geopolitics Series

Can tiny Qatar keep defying its powerful neighbors? It may be up to Washington

Jun 16, 2017 04:47 am UTC| Insights & Views Economy

The recent decision by half the nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and a few other countries to isolate fellow member Qatar came as a surprise to many though perhaps it shouldnt have. Essentially, Saudi...

Turkey's post-coup commitment to democracy offers chance to resolve Kurdish crisis

Aug 16, 2016 15:16 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Turkeys failed military coup last month rocked the foundations of its political system, yet in some ways the country has emerged stronger and more resilient. And thats precisely what Turkey needs to deal with one of its...

How will Turkey's failed coup and massive purge affect its economic future?

Jul 28, 2016 02:41 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics Economy

The failed July 15 coup in Turkey has prompted a tsunami of responses by the government that is likely to have a lasting impact on all aspects of politics and society, including the economy. The initial arrest of...

Iran's Rouhani may now control parliament, but do his economic reforms stand a chance?

May 27, 2016 06:30 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his policies are set to get a boost this week after voters elected a parliament that favors reform. While Rouhanis reformists didnt win a majority of seats, it appears likely that...

Has the economy lost its influence on Turkey's foreign policy?

Jan 25, 2016 11:04 am UTC| Insights & Views

Turkey has become one of Americas most vital partners in the Middle East in promoting stability and growth in the region and a key ally in the Wests fight against the Islamic State, or ISIS. This is partly because of...

Economy

BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Sticky Inflation, Weak Yen Shape USD/JPY and Nikkei Outlook

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1% when it concludes its two-day policy meeting on July 31, despite persistent inflation and continued weakness in the Japanese...

Asian Stocks Slip as Fed Holds Rates, Samsung Earnings Fail to Lift AI Sentiment

Most Asian stock markets declined on Thursday as investor concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) spending continued to pressure technology shares, overshadowing strong earnings from Samsung Electronics and upbeat...

Asian Currencies Hold Steady After Fed Decision as Dollar Finds Support

Asian currencies traded in narrow ranges on Thursday as investors assessed the U.S. Federal Reserves decision to keep interest rates unchanged while Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reinforced the central banks commitment to bringing...

Fed Holds Rates Steady as US Dollar Slides, Euro and Yen Gain

The U.S. dollar recorded its biggest one-day decline in nearly four weeks on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, easing concerns that policymakers could unexpectedly tighten monetary policy....

Asian Stocks Tumble as Tech Selloff Deepens Ahead of Fed Decision, Big Tech Earnings

Asian stock markets posted steep losses on Wednesday as a sharp technology sector selloff continued for a second day, with South Korea leading regional declines ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserves policy announcement and...

Politics

Lebanon Lawyers Seek Probe Into Banker Over Alleged Netanyahu Dinner in Washington

A group of Lebanese lawyers has filed a legal complaint urging the countrys top prosecutor to investigate prominent banker Antoun Sehnaoui over allegations that he co-hosted a dinner in Washington attended by Israeli Prime...

U.S. Launches Air Strikes on Iran After Alleged Missile Attack on American Forces

The United States launched air strikes against targets in Iran on Wednesday night, marking a sharp escalation in tensions across the Middle East following what Washington described as an attempted Iranian attack on U.S....

New Jewish-Arab Party Seeks Young Voters Ahead of Israel Election Amid Debate Over Arab Vote

A newly formed Jewish-Arab political party is aiming to attract younger voters ahead of Israels October 27 parliamentary election, but critics argue its emergence could divide the Arab vote and strengthen Prime Minister...

Oman Proposes Strait of Hormuz Plan as U.S. Rejects Iran Shipping Fee Idea

Oman has presented Iran with a Gulf-backed proposal to help manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including a system of voluntary contributions from vessels, according to Reuters sources. The initiative aims to...

Ukraine F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes During Mission, Pilot Ejects Safely

Ukraines Air Force confirmed on Wednesday that one of its U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets crashed while carrying out a combat mission, although the pilot survived after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. According to a...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Sony Eyes $1.3 Billion Tamron Acquisition as Lens Maker Reviews Offer

Tamron (TYO:7740) confirmed Thursday that it has received a non-binding acquisition proposal from Sony (TYO:6758), following reports that the potential deal could be worth approximately 200 billion yen ($1.3 billion). The...

Samsung Q2 Profit Surges on AI Memory Chip Demand, Forecasts Strong Second Half

Samsung Electronics reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings, driven by soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI) memory chips as global investment in AI infrastructure continued to accelerate. For the...

Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Facilitating Terrorism, Seeks International Arrest

Russia has formally charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity, accusing the messaging platform of being used by Ukrainian intelligence services to recruit operatives and organize attacks...

Meta Stock Drops After Earnings Miss as AI Spending and Legal Costs Weigh on Profit

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) shares fell 8% in after-hours trading after the social media giant reported second-quarter earnings that missed Wall Street expectations and issued weaker-than-expected third-quarter revenue...

Microsoft Stock Jumps as Azure Growth, AI Revenue Beat Expectations

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) shares surged more than 7% in after-hours trading on Wednesday after the technology giant reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, delivered robust Azure cloud growth, and reaffirmed its...