Fellow Projects

In my ITME capstone, I explored the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s emerging role in shaping the future of Gaza. My research highlights how Saudi Arabia’s unique political, economic, and religious positioning enables it to lead Gaza’s post-conflict reconstruction while advancing regional stability. I outlined five key areas where Saudi leadership could make a meaningful impact: humanitarian rebuilding, counter-radicalization, economic development, diplomatic normalization, and strategic deterrence against Iranian influence. Through this project, I argue that Saudi engagement, conditioned on the removal of Hamas, presents a rare opportunity to align Palestinian prosperity with broader regional peace efforts.

For my ITME Fellowship project, I’ve been exploring new ways to raise awareness about the Middle East on social media—focusing not just on sharing information, but on encouraging real conversation. As a political science major, I’ve added my own political lens to the content I create, drawing on experiences from visiting international institutions where I asked tough questions about their role in the region. While this political angle isn’t something the fellowship specifically taught, I believe it adds an important layer to the conversation, pushing people to engage with the complexity and nuance that ITME is all about. 

For my ITME capstone, I set out to examine how antisemitism manifests on university campuses across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Drawing on case studies, current events, and student testimonies, my work explores the social, political, and cultural dynamics that fuel anti-Jewish sentiment in academic spaces. I connect these campus climates to broader global narratives, showing how antisemitism often hides behind political activism, particularly in conversations about Israel and the Middle East. My project takes the form of a written article, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging more responsible dialogue in higher education.

In my project, I explore the contrasting narratives presented by Al Jazeera’s Arabic and English channels, focusing on how the network shapes its messaging for different audiences. I specifically examine the case of Fayez al-Dwairi, a controversial Jordanian military analyst on Al Jazeera Arabic who is known for inflammatory and antisemitic commentary. What makes his case particularly interesting is that he once publicly criticized Al Jazeera, only to later become a regular contributor. This shift raises serious questions about the network’s editorial ethics and political motivations. I also highlight how his exaggerated and unrealistic analysis has even been mocked by Palestinians themselves, revealing broader issues with the network’s credibility.

As part of my ITME Fellowship project, I am creating a Google Site that brings together the stories, projects, and reflections of the 2024–2025 ITME cohort. This digital archive is designed to serve as a lasting resource for future fellows, offering insight into the diverse ways our cohort engaged with the program’s content and applied their learning to real-world challenges. Drawing from interviews conducted by Miranda Rizinsky, I am compiling personal reflections, project highlights, and key takeaways from each fellow. The goal is to present these experiences in an accessible and engaging format that not only documents our journey but also inspires and equips future fellows to make the most of their own.

As part of my capstone project, I conducted interviews with ITME Fellows and guest speakers to capture their reflections, insights, and personal growth throughout the program. My goal was to document the human side of the fellowship: the evolving perspectives, transformative conversations, and the moments that don’t always show up in formal reports. These interviews were recorded and adapted into short-form content for social media, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the fellowship experience. By spotlighting a diverse range of voices, I aimed to create a living archive that honors each fellow’s journey and provides future cohorts with an authentic window into what ITME is all about.

As my ITME Fellowship capstone, I partnered with ITME’s board to design a research project exploring how university students engage with information about the Middle East. Through this work, I aimed to understand how students like us seek out, process, and apply knowledge on this complex region. The insights from this project will help ITME tailor its educational content and delivery methods to better meet student needs. By providing the board with detailed market research, I hope to ensure that ITME’s future online platforms are not only engaging, but also impactful and cost-effective—reaching students in ways that truly resonate.

For my ITME capstone project, I am writing an article for the Columbia Political Review. I recognized a gap in the arguments about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both in campus dialogue and in articles published in university newspapers and journals. The fellowship equipped me with a nuanced understanding of the geopolitical and religious factors that shape the Middle East, allowing me to question the simplistic narratives often repeated on campus while introducing a new angle that examines the region’s deeper tensions. Specifically, my piece will explore how the Sunni-Shia divide, a critical yet often overlooked dynamic, affects the Palestinian cause and contributes to broader regional instability. My goal is to add necessary context to a conversation that too often ignores the complexities of Middle Eastern relations and to open the door to more informed discussions of the conflict.