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ITME FELLOWSHIP 2025 [COHORT #1]

January 26 - May 25, 2025

VOICES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST

with Avi Melamed & Regional Experts

Description of Course

| ITME FELLOWSHIP |

VOICES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST

ITME's newest initiative, VOICES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST, is an international fellowship for motivated college and graduate students. Inside The Middle East | Voices From The Region About The Region educates passionate students - emerging global leaders in the Middle East complexities, equipping them to bridge divides, drive informed dialogue, and inspire meaningful change.

The ITME Fellowship is an unparalleled, immersive, and interactive educational experience designed to equip motivated and passionate students with the knowledge, tools, and resources to explore the complexities of the Middle East.

To Understand Israel, We Must Understand The Middle East. 

The fellowship’s goal is to empower participants to think critically, bridge divides, and confidently initiate meaningful conversations that inspire understanding, drive informed dialogue, and lead to impactful change.

By fostering knowledge and providing direct access to Middle East experts and resources, the Fellowship aims to help students shape a more informed and connected world on campus and beyond.

WHO IS AVI MELAMED?

Avi Melamed is a geopolitical Middle East expert, intelligence analyst, author, educator, founder, and CEO of Inside the Middle East Intelligence Perspectives [ITME], an institute dedicated to apolitical Middle East education.

With a rich history as a former Israeli Intelligence Official and Senior Advisor on Arab Affairs, Avi has been uniquely positioned at the intersection of diplomacy, education, and intelligence. Fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, Avi is recognized for his distinct understanding of current affairs in the Arab and Muslim world and their implications on Israel and the broader Middle East. His deep familiarity with the Arab and Muslim world has enabled him to predict key regional events.

Beyond his governmental and intelligence roles, where he undertook high-risk assignments, Avi’s most significant contribution lies in his commitment to education. His public service journey segued into academia when he was appointed the Fellow of Intelligence and Middle East Affairs at the Eisenhower Institute in Washington, D.C. During his tenure (2013 – 2018), Avi developed an undergraduate experiential education course, which later expanded to Capitol Hill, called "Inside the Middle East: Intelligence Perspectives" [ITME]. The ITME praxis rests on two core pillars: providing apolitical, non-partisan, contextualized education about the Middle East and developing critical thinking and media literacy skills. Recognizing the course's broader implications, Avi expanded ITME into a not-for-profit independent institute. Today, guided by a diversified Board of Directors, ITME offers a wealth of customized educational programming, resources, and tools in Israel and around the world. ITME equips individuals with knowledge, resources, skills, and tools, empowering them to navigate complex global issues. 

Avi has authored three books on the region, produced “The Seam Line,” a five-part docuseries exploring the many layers of the conflict in and over Jerusalem, and the soon-to-be-released Inside The Middle East | The Primer, an educational film featuring voices from the Arab and Muslim world often absent in Western discourse.

He is a frequent commentator on international media platforms such as ABC, Al-Arabiya, AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, the Financial Times, FOX, the Guardian, Newsweek, The Hill, Reuters, Sky News, Wall Street Journal and more. He is a permanent contributor to USA Today. To keep up with Avi’s analysis, please visit the ITME HUB.

Session One: HISTORICAL FRAMING OF THE MIDDLE EAST [ AVI ]

Date: January 26
Historical milestones that shape the Middle East—this context is essential for understanding its modern complexity and conflicts.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be an extended session (1:00 pm Eastern to 3:30 pm Eastern) to do a general orientation, have each of the fellows get to know each other, and for our Board Members to introduce themselves.

Session Two: NATIONALISM IN THE MIDDLE EAST [Avi Melamed & Abdulaziz AlKhamis]

Date: February 2

How the rise of nationalism transformed the Middle East - from the fall of empires to the creation of modern states.

 

Session Three: “ISLAM IS THE SOLUTION” | THE RISE OF MILITANT ISLAM [Avi & Jassim Mohamad]

What is Salafi Jihadi Ideology?
Date: February 9

The historical and ideological roots of Militant Islam and its profound impact on contemporary geopolitics.

Session Four: TURKEY AND NEO-OTTOMANISM | RECEP TAYYIP ERDOĞAN AND HIS QUEST FOR REGIONAL POWER [Avi & Dr. Hay Yanarocak]

Date: February 16
Turkey’s historical legacy and how Erdoğan’s policies are reshaping its role in the Middle East and beyond.

SPECAL SESSION | SOCIAL MEDIA With HAYVI BOUZO

Date: February 23

As you know, there is no regular Fellowship session this week because Avi will be giving a Briefing that morning in Long Beach, California. Instead, we are offering a special session for those interested in pursuing social media projects as part of their Fellowship Project!

We are TRILLED to welcome Hayvi Bouzo as our guest educator for this session!

Inside Iran | A Personal Reflection Into Iran's Past, Present & Future [Avi & Negar Mojtahedi]

Date: March 2

Inside Iran. A special conversation looking "inside Iran" with a unique woman.

PLEASE NOTE: Please log in at 12:40 pm Eastern Time for another round of "getting to know you." AND some questions and updates!

Session Six: THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT | A VIEW FROM THE REGION [Avi & Dalia Ziada]

HOW THE MIDDLE EAST SHAPES THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT | A VIEW FROM THE REGION - Avi Melamed - Inside The Middle East
Date: March 9

How the Middle East geopolitics impact the past, present, and future trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Session Seven: THE WEST BANK & GAZA | AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE [Avi & MOHAMMED NAJIB]

Date: March 16
The interplay of powers in Israel and the Middle East with the Palestinian struggle for identity, power, and direction.

 

Session Eight: ISRAEL | PATH, IDENTITY, DIRECTION [Avi]

Date: March 23

The diversity and ideological conflicts within Israeli society and their implications for Israel’s future.

Session Nine: IRAQ, SYRIA & LEBANON | IDENTITY AND THE STRUGGLE FOR SOVEREIGNTY [Avi & HUSSAIN ABDUL HUSSAIN]

Date: March 30

The struggle for sovereignty in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon and their ongoing battles for stability and self-determination.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be an extended session (1:00 pm Eastern to 3:00 pm Eastern).

 

Session Ten: JORDAN | A MONARCHY IN TRANSITION? [Avi & Mudar Zahran]

Date: April 6
Jordan - a monarchy navigating tradition, modernization, and regional challenges.


PLEASE NOTE: THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS (13 AND 20) ARE PASSOVER. WE WILL DISCUSS THE DATES FOR SESSIONS 11 AND 12 WITH YOU TO FIND DATES THAT WORK BEST WITH YOUR SCHEDULES.

Session Eleven: SYRIA | TOWARDS STABILITY OR A SALAFI-JIHADI STATE? [Avi & Abdul Aziz Ajini]

Date: TBD
Explore the relationship between the different Gulf countries with each other and with the wider Middle East.

 

Session Twelve: INSIDE THE MIDDLE EAST | VOICES OF THE ARAB STREET | THE NARRATIVES SHAPING THE MIDDLE EAST TODAY [Avi & Hayvi Bouzo]

Date: TBD
Overview: Discussion about the most current events in the region – about the region and from within the region.


PLEASE NOTE: This will be an extended session (1:00 pm Eastern to 3:00/30 pm Eastern).

CONCLUDING TWO-DAY IN-PERSON SESSION [Avi & Guests]

Date: Late May 2025 (Likely the week of May 18)
Location: Washington, D.C.

Celebrate the Fellowship journey with project presentations, reflections, and meaningful engagement with peers, Board Members, and ITME FELLOWSHIP educators.

ARTICLES AVI SHARED

Hi ITME fellows. Here is an article by senior Saudi columnist
@tariqalhomayed writing: 'Despite the disaster it has inflicted upon Gaza, Hamas markets victory. Given that mindset, why will any one invest in rehabilitating Gaza knowing next war is a matter of time?"
This observation actually reflects Saudi position. The message that needs to be inserted into western discussion is that Gazans- who badly need their Arab brothers support - are denied of that help because of their leadership - i.e. Hamas.

FELLOWSHIP RESOURCE LIBRARY

AVI MELAMED’S RESOURCES

MIDDLE EAST NEWSAND ANALYSIS THINK TANKS > Israeli < Institute forNational Security Studies Meir Amit Intelligence & Terrorism Information Center (ITIC) Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern...

ALEX VATANKA’S RESOURCES

> Sources on Middle Eastern Politics < Mr Vatanka's articles can be found at www.vatanka.com or here: https://mei.edu/person/alex-vatanka/ Debates “inside” of Iran about regime’s policies on US, Israel,...

Dr. Suha Hassen’S RESOURCES

> Sources on Middle Eastern Politics < Hamas’s Narrative Threat to the Syrian Druze_ The Symbolism of Killing and Mutilation - HSTodaybDownload Pathologized Grievance as...

NEGAR MOJTAHEDI’S RESOURCES

> Sources on Middle Eastern Politics < Suspicious in-custody injections feared linked to deaths of Iran protesters https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601279171?source=share-linkhttps://www.iranintl.com/en/202601279171?source=share-link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOe5XoNuILo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsp0QP2DxMg https://insidethemiddle-east.com/bruised-but-undeterred-iran-braces-for-more-risks-in-2026-iran-international/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saZD8o_Ls6s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0stZYn1_jJA ...

DR. HAY EYTAN COHEN YANAROCAK’S RESOURCES

> Arabic Sources on Middle Eastern Politics < Al-Monitor Al-Monitor is an award-winning media service founded in 2012 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Jamal Daniel....

ABDULAZIZ ALKAHMIS’ RESOURCES

> Arabic Sources on Middle Eastern Politics < Carnegie Middle East Center This center provides in-depth analyses of political dynamics in the region, including...

HAYVI BOUZO’S RESOURCES

Links to Activists & Social Media Influencersto Follow on X, InstagraM & ANALYSIS THINK TANKS Hayvi Bouzo Broadcast Journalist, Peace Builder, Co-Founder of Yalla Productions, and...

LEXICON

GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS

Al Badr Corp / Militia A Pro-Iranian Iraqi Shi’ite political party and militia headed by Hadi al-Amiri Al-Qaeda “The Base” or “The Foundation.” Al-Qaeda is a...

UNSCRs – UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

UNSCR 1696 (2006) On July 31, 2006, the UNSC passed its first resolution regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. UNSCR 1696 called on the regime to...

PLACES

Al-Aqsa Mosque The third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Al-Medina. The mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem on the...

ACCORDS & AGREEMENTS

The Abraham Accords The agreements signed by Bahrain, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States on September 15, 2020. The UAE signed...

AVI'S LATEST ARTICLES

Iraq: South Kurdistan (Iraqi Kurdistan) Episode 3 | Avi Melamed

Iraq: South Kurdistan (Iraqi Kurdistan) Episode 3 | An article by Avi Melamed | Podcast version powered by Ai. The Kurds in Iraq are a...

The Kurds in Iran: Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat) Episode 2 | Avi Melamed

The Kurds in Iran: Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat) Episode 2 | An article by Avi Melamed | Podcast version powered by Ai. Rojhelat (Eastern Kurdistan) refers...

The Mountains Are Our Only Friends: The Story Of The Kurds _ Episode 1 |...

The mountains are our only friends: The story of the Kurds | Episode 1 | An article by Avi Melamed | Podcast version powered...

Western Theory and Middle East Reality: The Consequences of a Flipped Lens | Avi Melamed

Western Theory and Middle East Reality: The Consequences of a Flipped Lens | An article by Avi Melamed | Podcast version powered by Ai. One...

Yemen – A Portrait of Chaos – Analysis | Avi Melamed

Yemen – A Portrait of Chaos - Analysis | An article by Avi Melamed | Podcast version powered by Ai. When people hear the word...

ITME FELLOWSHIP | VOICES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST

ITME’s newest initiative, VOICES FROM THE MIDDLE EAST ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST, is an international fellowship for motivated college and graduate students. Inside The Middle East | Voices From The Region About The Region educates passionate students – emerging global leaders in the Middle East complexities, equipping them to bridge divides, drive informed dialogue, and inspire meaningful change.

The ITME Fellowship is an unparalleled, immersive, and interactive educational experience designed to equip motivated and passionate students with the knowledge, tools, and resources to explore the complexities of the Middle East.

To Understand Israel, We Must Understand The Middle East. 

The fellowship’s goal is to empower participants to think critically, bridge divides, and confidently initiate meaningful conversations that inspire understanding, drive informed dialogue, and lead to impactful change.

By fostering knowledge and providing direct access to Middle East experts and resources, the Fellowship aims to help students shape a more informed and connected world on campus and beyond.

Our goal:

EDUCATE through authentic, apolitical, non-partisan, intelligence-based education about the Middle East

EQUIP people with resources and tools to deepen their understanding of the Middle East

EMPOWER individuals to educate others

We stand at a pivotal moment and Inside The Middle East | Intelligence Perspectives [ITME] is uniquely positioned as an educational catalyst – rather than an an advocacy group – to provide a vital response and make a transformative impact through this year-long strategic educational initiative, ITME-ON-THE-ROAD-360 | Clarity Amidst Chaos, designed to educate, equip, and empower individuals and communities alike.

One principle guides us: “There may be a million reasons not to act, but sometimes, one reason is all you need to act.” our recent travels revealed the palpable anxiety within the Jewish community and the pressing need for ITME’s voice. Witnessing ITME’s impact across the ideological spectrum and hearing the resounding demand for deeper engagement, we are ready, willing, and able to answer the call by relocating from our modest home in Israel to the United States in the coming year. We are committed to dedicating a year of our lives to providing authentic education, knowledge, and skills to Jews and non-Jews across North America!


Avi Melamed
Avi Melamedhttps://insidethemiddle-east.com
Avi Melamed is an expert on current affairs in the Arab & Muslim World and their impact on Israel & the Middle East. A former Israeli Intelligence Official & Senior Official on Arab Affairs, Fluent in Arabic, English, and Hebrew, he has held high-risk Government, Senior Advisory, Intelligence & Counter-Terrorist intelligence positions in Arab cities & communities - often in very sensitive times - on behalf of Israeli Government agencies. He is the Founder & CEO of Inside the Middle East | Intelligence Perspectives - an apolitical non-partisan curriculum using intelligence methodology to examine the Middle East. As an Author, Educator, Expert, and Strategic Intelligence Analyst, Avi provides Intelligence Analysis, Briefings, and Geopolitical Tours to diplomats, Israeli and foreign policymakers, global media outlets, and a wide variety of international businesses, organizations, and private clients on a range of Israel and Middle East Affairs.

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