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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

U.S. Dollar Slips as Powell Investigation Shakes Markets, Gold Hits Record High

The U.S. dollar weakened on Monday after retreating from its strongest level in a month, following reports that U.S. prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The...

UK Jobs Market Cools in December as Starting Salaries Rise, Survey Shows

Britains jobs market showed further signs of cooling in December, even as starting salaries for permanent roles increased at a faster pace, according to a closely watched survey of recruiters that will be reviewed by the...

U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower Ahead of Key Q4 Earnings and Inflation Data

U.S. stock index futures slipped slightly on Sunday evening as investors turned cautious ahead of a pivotal week filled with major fourth-quarter earnings reports and crucial inflation data for December. The modest...

U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Fed Chair Jerome Powell Over Headquarters Renovation

U.S. prosecutors have reportedly opened an investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding the renovation of the central banks Washington, D.C. headquarters, according to a New York Times report published...

Gold Prices Hit Record High in 2026 as Safe-Haven Demand Surges

Spot gold prices surged more than 1% on Monday, reaching their first record high of 2026 at $4,563.61 per ounce, as investors flocked to the precious metal amid heightened geopolitical tensions and growing expectations of...

Politics

Trump Considers Starlink to Restore Internet Access in Iran Amid Protests

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is considering discussions with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran, where authorities have imposed widespread blackouts amid...

DHS Sends Hundreds More Officers to Minnesota After ICE Shooting Sparks Nationwide Protests

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is deploying hundreds of additional federal officers to Minnesota following large-scale protests over the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs...

Who Is Li Chenggang? The Diplomat Shaping U.S.-China Trade Talks

Chinas lead trade negotiator Li Chenggang has emerged as one of the most influential figures in U.S.-China trade negotiations, despite a rocky moment last year that briefly threatened to derail high-level diplomacy. In...

Trump Weighs Military and Diplomatic Options as Protests Intensify in Iran

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration is considering a wide range of responses to the growing unrest in Iran, including potential military options, as large-scale protests continue to spread across...

Trump Weighs Blocking Exxon Investment as Venezuela Deemed “Uninvestable”

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he may consider blocking Exxon Mobil from investing in Venezuela, following comments made by Exxons chief executive during a recent White House meeting. The remarks have...

Science

NASA and SpaceX Target Crew-11 Undocking From ISS Amid Medical Concern

NASA has confirmed that the agency, in coordination with SpaceX, is targeting no earlier than 5 p.m. Eastern Time (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, January 14, for the undocking of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission from the International...

Neuralink Plans High-Volume Brain Implant Production and Fully Automated Surgery by 2026

Elon Musks brain-computer interface company Neuralink is preparing for a major expansion, announcing plans to begin high-volume production of its brain implant devices and transition to a fully automated surgical procedure...

Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as the new NASA administrator, making him the 15th leader in the agencys history. The confirmation, which took place on Wednesday, marks...

Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee announced it will vote on December 8 on President Donald Trumps renewed nomination of private astronaut and tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for his...

NASA Cuts Boeing Starliner Missions as SpaceX Pulls Ahead

NASA has significantly scaled back Boeings Starliner program after years of technical issues and delays, announcing that the next Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will fly without astronauts. The...

Technology

Anthropic Launches HIPAA-Compliant Healthcare Tools for Claude AI Amid Growing Competition

Anthropic has announced the launch of a new suite of healthcare-focused tools integrated into its Claude AI chatbot, marking another significant step in the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence in medicine. The...

Elon Musk Says X Will Open-Source Its Algorithm Amid EU Scrutiny

Elon Musk announced on Saturday that X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, will publicly release its recommendation algorithm, including the full code behind organic content and advertising post...

China’s AI Sector Pushes to Close U.S. Tech Gap Amid Chipmaking Challenges

China is accelerating efforts to narrow its technological gap with the United States, driven by increased risk-taking, innovation, and strong policy support for artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Leading Chinese...

Supreme Court to Hear Cisco Appeal on Alien Tort Statute and Human Rights Liability

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by Cisco Systems that could significantly reshape how American companies are held liable for alleged human rights abuses committed overseas. The case centers on the scope...

FCC Approves Expansion of SpaceX Starlink Network With 7,500 New Satellites

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved SpaceXs request to deploy an additional 7,500 second-generation Starlink satellites, marking a major step forward in the companys mission to expand global...