The Middle East Research Institute (MERI) | Independent Think Tank or Pro-UAE Influence?

The Middle East Research Institute (MERI), based in Erbil, Iraq, is one of the most prominent think tanks in the Middle East. Known for its mission to foster dialogue, promote governance reforms, and advance conflict resolution, MERI has gained recognition among academics, policymakers, and international stakeholders.

But is MERI truly independent? Or does its policy agenda quietly align with the priorities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?

This video investigates MERI’s activities, leadership, funding, and possible regional affiliations. We examine how MERI’s focus on counter-extremism, governance reforms, and regional stability mirrors long-standing themes in Emirati diplomacy. While no direct UAE funding has been publicly confirmed, MERI operates in a regional environment where Gulf-funded research, policy institutes, and security forums set the intellectual framework.

Key Highlights of this Investigation:

MERI’s mission: governance, stability, conflict resolution.

Leadership under Professor Dlawer Ala’Aldeen.

Research activities, high-level policy forums, and workshops.

Overlaps between MERI’s policy agenda and Pro-UAE narratives on security and diplomacy.

Criticism about independence vs. donor influence.

Why MERI’s influence matters for Iraq and the wider Middle East.

While MERI is not blacklisted and faces no major controversies, debates around its neutrality raise questions about how much international donors and Gulf interests shape policy discourse in Iraq.


Watch until the end for a deep dive into how MERI operates and why its role in the region deserves closer scrutiny.

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Stay tuned for our next report on regional NGOs and their international affiliations.

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