Identity Clashes in Syria: An End of a Violent Nightmare or the Beginning of a Protracted Civil War?
Türkiye’s Balancing Role in Europe’s Security
In light of its clash of interests with the US, the EU and Russia, Ankara finds itself at the bridge between three poles of global power.
Breaking the Cycle: Strengthening Gaza’s Ceasefire Through Peacebuilding, DDR, and Prisoner Exchanges
The MENA region should take top priority in global climate action, before reaching climate point 1
Water and Climate Resilience in the Middle East Hinges on Cooperation and Climate Diplomacy
De-Securitizing Climate Migration in the Middle East and North Africa
Women’s fight for freedom in Iran: Resistance against a system of oppression
From Conflict to Compromise: Can Syria Redefine Its Regional Role?
Saudi Arabia finds itself between ambitions and obstacles as it gears up for the 2034 World Cup
What is next for Iranian foreign policy in the region?
Recent Initiatives
Women's Leadership Initiative
Directed by the award-winning author and activist Dr. Nina Ansary, the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) promotes open, inclusive dialogue between scholars, activists, thought leaders, business leaders, and policy practitioners about women’s rights issues in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Mahsa Jina Amini Fellowship
Dedicated to supporting emerging female scholars, policymakers, leaders and advocates who are committed to driving change in Iran and across the Middle East and North Africa region, advancing the cause of women’s rights, gender equality and social justice.
Critical Minerals Initiative
By bringing together stakeholders from the private sector, policymaking and diplomatic circles as well as academia, the Critical Minerals Initiative (CMI) aims to foster relationships across government, business and research, and analyse the mining, refining and trade of critical minerals from a British foreign policy and development perspective, looking to support the building of prosperous and mutually beneficial cooperation between the United Kingdom and her partners in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
Applied History Initiative
The Applied History Initiative (AHI) is a response to the need to inform Middle East policy with deep historical insight. The AHI serves as a hub for historically-minded research into the Middle East’s most pressing diplomatic and strategic issues. Its work is to encourage historians to apply their expertise to Middle East policy, and to support policymakers with historical insight as they approach the region’s key issues.
Strategic Brief
The Strategic Brief is a concise news summary of the past week’s events complete with forward-looking projections on what’s next in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Publications
First edition: April 2025
This paper explores the role of UK AI diplomacy towards Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, focusing on how AI can expand the UK’s influence in the Middle East and North Africa, deepen the Abraham Accords, and serve as a counterbalance to China’s growing footprint in the region.
Upcoming Events
From keynote speeches, through expert panel debates, to roundtable discussions, the Forum hosts a variety of events throughout the year.
Browse among the lineup of events we hosted in the past.
Pathways of Development in the Palestinian Territories
With Dr. Adnan Mjalli, Palestinian entrepreneur and philantropist, focused on the development, commerce, finance, energy, construction, healthcare, and drug discovery and development sectors.
Previous Events
The Hamas-Israel War: Regional Perspectives
31 October 2023
2023 Turkish Elections: 5 More Years of Erdogan?
7 March 2023
Domestic and Foreign Policy Under Israel's New Government
13 February 2023
In Conversation with Brian Hook
14 December 2022
Find complete event recordings featured on YouTube
MENAF is not only an excellent forum for the dispassionate discussion of the current Middle East, but the fastest-growing such venture in Cambridge.
Professor Brendan Simms, University of Cambridge
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