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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

Trump Administration Sued Over Suspension of Critical Hudson River Tunnel Funding

New York and New Jersey have filed an emergency lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to restore federal funding for the $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project, a critical piece of U.S. transportation...

Asian Markets Wobble as AI Fears Rattle Stocks, Oil and Gold Rebound

Asian stocks traded on shaky ground on Wednesday as global markets digested sharp losses in U.S. and European equities, driven by growing fears that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could disrupt traditional...

Trump Extends AGOA Trade Program for Africa Through 2026, Supporting Jobs and U.S.-Africa Trade

President Donald Trump has signed legislation extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a key U.S.-Africa trade program, through December 31, 2026. The extension is retroactive from September 30, 2025,...

Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile

An Australian scandium mining project backed by billionaire mining executive Richard Friedland is expected to play a role in the United States newly announced $12 billion critical minerals stockpile, according to comments...

Japan Services Sector Records Fastest Growth in Nearly a Year as Private Activity Accelerates

Japans services sector showed strong momentum at the start of the year, expanding at its fastest pace in nearly 12 months, while overall private sector activity recorded its quickest growth in almost three years. According...

Politics

Stephen Miran Resigns as White House Economic Adviser Amid Federal Reserve Tenure

Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran has formally resigned from his role as chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), fulfilling a commitment he made to the U.S. Senate as his tenure at the Federal...

U.S. Condemns South Africa’s Expulsion of Israeli Diplomat Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions

The United States has sharply criticized South Africas recent decision to expel Israels top diplomat, calling the move politically motivated and harmful to diplomatic norms. The condemnation was delivered on Tuesday by...

Russia Prepares for Post–New START Era as U.S.-Russia Nuclear Arms Control Nears Collapse

Russia has declared it is prepared for a new global security reality in which there are no U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control limits, as the New START treaty is set to expire this week. The landmark agreement, signed in...

Trump Plans Call With Savannah Guthrie After Mother’s Disappearance, Federal Support Considered

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he plans to personally reach out to NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie following the disappearance of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, a case that authorities now believe...

UK and US Reaffirm Strategic Importance of Diego Garcia Base Amid Chagos Sovereignty Dispute

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump have reaffirmed the strategic importance of the U.S.-UK military air base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago, committing to close cooperation to...

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

Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies

Nvidia is reportedly nearing a major investment deal with OpenAI, signaling a significant development in the global artificial intelligence landscape. According to sources cited by Reuters, the chipmaking giant is in...

Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate

Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic is reportedly preparing a major secondary share sale that would allow some employees to sell shares at a valuation of at least $350 billion, according to a recent Bloomberg report....

AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) delivered a solid quarterly earnings beat, topping Wall Street expectations on both revenue and profit, yet its stock slipped in extended trading after the company projected a sequential...

Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns

Nintendo shares fell sharply on Wednesday after the Japanese gaming giant reported weaker-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results, intensifying investor concerns over profitability and margins tied to its highly...

Elon Musk’s SpaceX Acquires xAI in Historic Deal Uniting Space and Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk announced on Monday that SpaceX has acquired his artificial intelligence startup xAI in a landmark deal that brings together his ambitions in space exploration and advanced AI technology. The acquisition combines...