Karim Makdisi - Land of Blue Helmets: The United Nations and the Arab World

This book grew out of the United Nations in the Arab World research program directed by Karim Makdisi at the American University of Beiruts (AUBs) Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI). Thanks to the platform offered by IFI, the reputation of the AUB, and the dynamism of Beirut, scholars, students, affiliates, UN practitioners, diplomats and the general public mingled to explore and argue over the UN legacy and politics in the region.

We would like to acknowledge a number of people at IFI for their support. Rami Khourifounding director of the IFIfacilitated the creation of the UN program, dug into his considerable networks, and ensured the uninterrupted funding of the program. Tarek Mitri, who succeeded Rami as IFI director as this book was taking off, shared his experience in, and knowledge of, the UN. Sarine Karajerjians support in all administrative and financial aspects of the program was exemplary from the start. Dania Abbas, Rima Rassi, Rayan El-Amine, Nasser Yassin, Amir Richany, Zaki Boulos, Rabih Mahmassani, and Michael Huijer have all been of great assistance. Finally, and most importantly, we have relied on and benefited from the excellent UN in the Arab World program managers (and former AUB students) Muneira Hoballah, Susann Kassem, and Samar Ghanem, as well as a number of capable research assistants. They have been meticulous and stimulating colleagues.

For this book, special thanks and deep gratitude must go to Samar Ghanem. She often participated in the early brainstorming sessions with us, helped organize the book structure, read many of the chapters, and followed up diligently with the contributors.

Karim is grateful to Vijay, who first joined IFIs UN in the Arab World program as a senior fellow in 2014 and quickly worked his magic. Vijays warm friendship, incredible enthusiasm, and infectious positivity have been invaluable. Karim thanks all the contributors, many of whom are colleagues and friends, for their fine essays, their valuable insights, and their goodwill during this long process. All my friends at the UN have shared their many experiences with me and sharpened my understanding of this indispensable institution, and I am grateful for that. To Filippo Grandi, thanks for spending your sabbatical year from the UN with us and for all the stimulating discussions and insights. To my dear friend Georges Nasr: you were taken much too early from your family and friends, and you are deeply missed. You exemplified all that is noble about service to the UN and all that is good in us. Tamerian and Dannoush, thanks for the support. Finally, Karim is very fortunate for the constant support of his parents Jean and Samir, his brothers Saree and Ussama, and above all his amazing wife Hala and daughters Layla and Iman. This is for them.

Vijay thanks Karim for bringing him along for the ride, introducing him to the world of the United Nations in the region, and helping him better understand the complexities of this institution. He is especially grateful to Rima Khalaf for her wise counsel. Nada al-Nashif, Walid Hamdan, Raja Khalidi, Rabi Bashour, Mustafa Said, and Omar Dahi played a central role in helping him find hope where none seemed possible. For Lisa, Zalia, and Rosa, again.