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The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) Harvard University

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The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) at Harvard University is a leading academic institution dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of the Middle East, encompassing its diverse cultures, histories, languages, and contemporary issues.

Overview

Founded in 1954, CMES supports research, teaching, and public engagement on a broad range of topics related to the Middle East. The center emphasizes firsthand knowledge of the region through language proficiency and deep understanding of its politics, societies, and histories. It offers graduate programs including a master’s degree in Regional Studies—Middle East and joint doctoral degrees in Anthropology, History, and History of Art and Architecture. CMES engages faculty across Harvard’s departments and professional schools, fostering a rich academic community of scholars and students (Harvard University, 2025; CMES, n.d.-a)[1].

Location

CMES is located within Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, utilizing Harvard’s extensive libraries and museums with exceptional collections related to Middle Eastern and Islamic studies (CMES, n.d.-a)[2].

History, Establishment, and Founders

CMES was established in 1954 during the Cold War era to “counter the Soviet threat in the Middle East” and to train individuals for service in government and private sectors. Its first director was William Langer, a scholar of diplomatic history. Under the leadership of Sir Hamilton Gibb (1957–1966), the center expanded significantly with funding from the Ford and Rockefeller foundations. In 1990, under director William Graham, CMES broadened its mission to include Islamic studies, culminating in the establishment of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program in 2005, allowing CMES to refocus on the Middle East while maintaining strong ties to Islamic studies (CMES, n.d.-b; Timeline of Islamic Studies at Harvard, 2024[3]).

Financial Sponsors

CMES has historically received significant funding from philanthropic foundations such as the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation. The establishment of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program was supported by a major endowment from Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. Additional funding comes from Harvard University and various grants supporting research and academic programs (CMES, n.d.-b)[4].

Website and Contact Information

  • Website: https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu
  • Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
  • Contact details are available on the official website under the “Contact” section (CMES, n.d.-a)[5].

Prominent Research Figures

  • Bezhan Pazhohan: A linguist and scholar specializing in Persian language and literature, bridging language teaching and the politics of literary translation (CMES, 2016)[6].
  • Abdulrahman Alwashali: Researcher specializing in the legal history of the Middle East (CMES, 2025)[7].
  • Omar Abdel-Ghaffar: PhD candidate focused on Mamluk-era history and social relations (CMES, 2018)[8].
  • Teren Sevea: Scholar of Islam and Muslim societies in South and Southeast Asia, contributing to broader Islamic studies (CMES, 2021).
  • Former director Cemal Kafadar (Turkish Studies) and associate director Rosie Bsheer (History) were notable until their 2025 dismissal amid controversies over alleged antisemitism and lack of Israeli perspectives (The Harvard Crimson, 2025).

Key Fields of Concentration (Research)

CMES’s research covers:

  • History, politics, and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa.
  • Islamic studies, including language, literature, and religious history.
  • Legal history and governance in the region.
  • Social and economic transformations.
  • Interdisciplinary approaches combining humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
  • Language proficiency in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and other regional languages is emphasized (CMES, n.d.; Harvard University, 2025)[9].

Relations to the Islamic World

CMES maintains deep engagement with Islamic history, culture, and contemporary issues, including language and religious studies. It supports programs fostering firsthand knowledge of the Islamic world’s diversity, including Persian and Arab contexts. The center’s academic output and student research often address Islamic societies’ political, social, and cultural dynamics (CMES, 2025)[10].

Publishing / Significant Reports

CMES produces scholarly publications, hosts workshops, seminars, and conferences involving academics, policy analysts, and journalists. It has been involved in public debates on Middle Eastern politics, including contentious topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has attracted criticism and institutional scrutiny (The Harvard Crimson, 2025)[11]. Recent controversies have led to leadership changes and efforts to balance programming (The Harvard Crimson, 2025)The Harvard Crimson. (2025, March 28). Harvard Dismisses Leaders of Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/3/29/harvard-cmes-director-departure/.

Impacts and Partnerships from Iran’s Perspective

From Iran’s perspective, CMES represents a significant Western academic center producing research on Iranian history, culture, and politics. Iranian scholars and students have engaged with CMES programs, especially in Persian language and literature studies (CMES, 2016)[12]. However, the center’s critical focus on regional conflicts, including Iran’s role in Middle Eastern geopolitics, may reflect Western academic and policy discourses that Iran views as partial or politically influenced. The dismissal of CMES leadership amid accusations of bias may also affect perceptions of the center’s academic neutrality (The Harvard Crimson, 2025)[13].

Critique of CMES’s Work and Hidden Objectives from Iran’s Perspective

1. Allegations of Anti-Israel Bias and Academic Censorship

CMES has faced significant criticism within Harvard and beyond for allegedly promoting anti-Israel views and hosting programs considered by some as antisemitic. Internal and external pressures, including from U.S. political actors, led to the dismissal of CMES leadership in 2025 amid accusations that the center disproportionately focused on criticizing Israel while neglecting other regional issues (Anadolu Agency, 2025[14]; Middle East Monitor, 2025[15]). From Iran’s viewpoint, this controversy reflects the politicization of Middle Eastern studies in Western academia, where criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights are often labeled as biased or antisemitic, thereby limiting open discourse on regional justice and Iran’s role.

2. Perceived Marginalization of Iranian Perspectives

Iranian critiques often emphasize that Western academic centers like CMES tend to frame Iran primarily as a regional threat, focusing on its nuclear program and involvement in conflicts, which can overshadow Iran’s cultural, historical, and scientific contributions. The center’s leadership changes and programmatic shifts may be seen as efforts to align with U.S. and Israeli narratives, thus marginalizing Iranian viewpoints and reducing nuanced understanding of Iran’s policies (The Harvard Crimson, 2025[16]; Anadolu Agency, 2025[17]).

3. Hidden Objective: Aligning Academic Discourse with Western Geopolitical Agendas

From Iran’s perspective, CMES’s work may serve broader Western geopolitical interests by shaping academic narratives that support U.S. foreign policy objectives in the Middle East. The pressure to remove faculty perceived as sympathetic to Palestinian causes or critical of Israel is viewed as part of a campaign to silence dissenting voices and maintain a pro-Western academic consensus on Middle Eastern affairs (New Arab, 2025[18]; MEForum, 2017[19]).

4. Concerns over Academic Freedom and Intellectual Diversity

The dismissal of CMES leaders, including prominent scholars like Cemal Kafadar and Rosie Bsheer, sparked concerns about academic freedom and the suppression of intellectual diversity. Iranian observers may interpret these actions as indicative of a shrinking space for critical scholarship on Israel-Palestine and Iran-related issues in Western institutions, which could limit balanced research and dialogue (Dawn, 2025[20]; The News, 2025[21]).

Summary

Iran’s perspective on CMES is shaped by the center’s controversies over alleged anti-Israel bias and the resulting leadership changes, which are seen as reflecting political pressures rather than purely academic considerations. This situation highlights broader tensions regarding the politicization of Middle Eastern studies in Western academia, the marginalization of Iranian and pro-Palestinian perspectives, and concerns about academic freedom.

References

  1. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (n.d.-a). About CMES. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/about
  2. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (n.d.-a). About CMES. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/about
  3. ↑ Timeline of Islamic Studies at Harvard. (2024). Center for Middle Eastern Studies founded. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://timeline.islamicstudies.harvard.edu/center-middle-eastern-studies
  4. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (n.d.-b). History. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://timeline.islamicstudies.harvard.edu/center-middle-eastern-studies
  5. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (n.d.-a). About CMES. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/about
  6. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (2016). Faculty: Bezhan Pazhohan. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/people/faculty
  7. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (2025). Research Associates: Abdulrahman Alwashali. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/people/research-associates
  8. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (2018). People: Omar Abdel-Ghaffar. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/people
  9. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (n.d.). Home. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu
  10. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (2025). Research Associates: Abdulrahman Alwashali. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/people/research-associates
  11. ↑ The Harvard Crimson. (2025, March 29). Harvard dismisses leaders of Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/3/29/harvard-cmes-director-departure/
  12. ↑ Center for Middle Eastern Studies. (2016). Faculty: Bezhan Pazhohan. Harvard University. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://cmes.fas.harvard.edu/people/faculty
  13. ↑ The Harvard Crimson. (2025, March 29). Harvard dismisses leaders of Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/3/29/harvard-cmes-director-departure/
  14. ↑ Anadolu Agency. (2025, March 29). Harvard University dismisses Center for Middle Eastern Studies leadership. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/harvard-university-dismisses-center-for-middle-eastern-studies-leadership/3522987
  15. ↑ Middle East Monitor. (2025, March 29). Harvard University dismisses Centre for Middle Eastern Studies leadership. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250329-harvard-university-dismisses-center-for-middle-eastern-studies-leadership/
  16. ↑ The Harvard Crimson. (2025, March 29). Harvard dismisses leaders of Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/3/29/harvard-cmes-director-departure/
  17. ↑ Anadolu Agency. (2025, March 29). Harvard University dismisses Center for Middle Eastern Studies leadership. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/harvard-university-dismisses-center-for-middle-eastern-studies-leadership/3522987
  18. ↑ New Arab. (2025, March 29). Harvard removes Middle East Centre heads over 'anti-Israel bias'. https://www.newarab.com/news/harvard-removes-middle-east-centre-heads-over-anti-israel-bias
  19. ↑ MEForum. (2017, August 3). Iran's ties to U.S. universities — An infiltration to fear. https://www.meforum.org/campus-watch/iran-ties-to-us-universities-an-infiltration-to
  20. ↑ Dawn. (2025, March 29). Harvard dismisses leaders of Centre for Middle Eastern Studies over anti-Israel bias. https://www.dawn.com/news/1901076
  21. ↑ The News. (2025, April 3). Two leaders of Harvard's Middle Eastern studies centre to step down. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1297404-two-leaders-of-harvard-s-middle-eastern-studies-centre-to-step-down
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