War & Peace in the Middle East: The Role of Competing Narratives, Biases, and Misperceptions

This course examines a series of seminal conflicts or crises in the Middle East. It is an in-depth exploration of key issues that arise from exploring four topics: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the U.S. invasion of Iraq; the Syrian civil war; and diplomacy surrounding the Iranian nuclear program. Each case is taught from the perspective of an American diplomatic practitioner and policy-maker, delving into broader matters such as the question of one's objectivity and preexisting biases; the weight of competing historical narratives; the role of cognitive empathy in international relations; and the part played by the media.