The Middle East Development Journal aims to deepen understanding of development in the Middle East and North Africa and strengthen the social science research community in the region. The journal emphasizes research falling under the heading of applied economics, although theoretical papers and contributions from related disciplines such as political science and sociology are also considered. Submissions are actively sought from scholars within the region as well as worldwide. The ultimate goal of the journal is to contribute to the formulation of policy through the provision of world-class analytical and empirical research. Submissions undergo a blind review with an average time from submission to first decision of fourteen weeks.The journal accepts contributions on a wide range of topics: analyses of particular problems or challenges confronting the region; evaluations of economic and social policies or programs implemented within, or relevant to, the region; explorations of progress within certain segments of the region's population or locations; investigations of country-specific and cross-country issues; assessments of the impact of external factors; and comparisons with other regions. In all cases, submissions receive an initial editor screening and, if of sufficient merit, undergo a double-anonymous peer review by two referees.