Tufts Middle East Research Group

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Tufts Middle East Research Group

Tufts Middle East Research Group (MERG) is a student run, non-polemical think tank run through the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts.

Tufts Middle East Research Group (MERG) is a student run, non-polemical think tank run through the Institute for Global Leadership (IGL) at Tufts. Founded in 2005 after the IGL's successful research trip to Iran in 2004, which was the first American student delegation to visit the country in 25 years, MERG now seeks to facilitate and expand undergraduate dialogue and scholarship on Middle Eastern

affairs at Tufts. MERG is an organization that is open to all members of the Tufts Community and we cordially invite all those who are interested, regardless of age, background, academic interests, or familiarity with the Middle East. The club was more recently known as Tufts New Initiative for Middle East Peace (NIMEP) until students changed the name to reflect more diverse research studies in 2019. MERG’s activities in promoting Middle Eastern discussion and academic understanding on campus largely fall within three areas: through weekly dialogues moderated by student leaders and open to all members of the Tufts Community on emerging political, economic and social developments in the Middle East, through organizing speakers, panels, and other simulations or exercises to bring in outside perspectives on the Middle East and expand our dialogue as wide as possible, and through an annual, student-run research trip to a pre-determined country in the Middle East, where students engage in two weeks of intensive field research as preparation for writing articles to be published in the group's annual research journal, MERG Insights. Previous trips have seen MERG travel to Turkey, Tunisia, Iraqi Kurdistan, Israel, the West Bank, Syria, Kuwait, the UAE, and elsewhere. While applications for the trip are open to those who have attended dialogues, all other events are entirely open to the Tufts Community and we strongly encourage anyone interested to come. If you would like to be added to our e-list to receive updates about discussion meetings, events, and more, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "E-list Sign up".

04/06/2026

Join us for a collab discussion on the evolving situation in Iran. Exploring conflict, power, oil and global stakes!🛢️🌍 There will also be delicious food from Yafa Bakery!😋

04/01/2026

JOIN US TOMORROW FOR THE FULL DEBRIEF!!!🇦🇱Telling you all about our research from Culture and Religion to International investment in Albania! See you all there😍

03/24/2026

Introducing MERG E-board 2025/2026!

03/04/2026

Join MERG for a discussion on the current event in the middle east. This Wednesday, at 8PM!

02/23/2026

Join MERG this Wednesday for a conversation on Post-Assad Syria! As Syria enters a new chapter, what political, social and regional realities lie ahead?

02/15/2026

Here is our upcoming meeting schedule for the rest of the Spring semester! As usual, our meetings are Wednesdays at 8pm. Be sure to check the Instagram or newsletter for announcements, as some of these meeting subjects are subject to change.
Also be sure to check the second slide to see more events planned for the Spring semester outside of our normal meeting times. We are looking forward to hosting more fun panels and bonding + study sessions!

02/12/2026

Love is still in the air, MERG style! 💌
Join us for a late Valentine’s celebration with a cozy movie screening and potluck! We’ll be watching Gaza Mon Amour, a romance film blending humor, tenderness, and mystery. MERG will be bringing some food and baked treats, and we’d love for you to contribute a dish if you can. Bring your friends, your appetite, and come enjoy a fun evening with us!

02/10/2026

Join MERG for this week’s discussion on Soft Power in the Middle East!
Wednesday, February 11th at 8 pm
📍Cabot 703

02/01/2026

Join MERG for this week’s discussion on Easter traditions throughout the Middle East!
Wednesday, February 4th at 8 pm
📍Barnum 208

01/27/2026

Join MERG for our next meeting on Hajawalah, a popular street-drifting subculture in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. We will be meeting on Wednesday, January 28th at 8pm. See you there!
📍Cabot 703

Address

Medford, MA
02155

Website

http://www.tuftsgloballeadership.org/program/nimep

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