The Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) at the University of California, Berkeley was founded in 1963 with a mandate to promote excellence in Middle Eastern Studies on the Berkeley campus and beyond.

The CMES facilitates the interdisciplinary study of the Middle East while recognizing the interconnectedness of its peoples and cultures to the wider global context in which it exists. The Center’s programming encompasses the Arab World, Turkey, Israel, and Iran, yet no single country, topic, academic discipline, or political position dominates the landscape of Middle Eastern Studies at Berkeley. Rather, we are equally engaged and concerned with issues in contemporary Iran as we are with medieval Persian literature; with the impact of structural adjustments in Egypt and Turkey as with the history of the Ottoman Empire.

In addition to our efforts to facilitate coverage of the Middle East in the University curricula, the CMES also organizes a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, including a rich interdisciplinary lecture and film series, faculty-driven colloquia and conferences, grant competitions, and several post-doctoral research programs.

We invite you to learn more about CMES activities and programs.