F-35 Politics in a Changing Middle East: The U.S.–Saudi Deal and the Future of Israel’s Air Superiority
The Middle East’s strategic calculations will depend on how the U.S. manages its commitments, Riyadh pursues its ambitions, and Israel adapts.
Syria’s Emerging Grassroots Intelligentsia: From Exile to Influence?
The Politics of Recognition: Palestine at the Crossroads
The Nuclear Consequences of Iran’s Domestic Politics
The Shadow of the “Trigger Mechanism” over Iran
Why Algeria Should Choose Restraint Over War – The Deterrent Power of Prestige
Another Kurdish Resolution Process Underway: Between Hope and Contradictions
As PKK Lays Down Arms, What About Reintegration?
How AI Can Help the UAE Sustain Its Post-Grey List AML Reforms
Recent Initiatives
Women's Leadership Initiative
Directed by award-winning Iranian American author, historian, and women’s rights advocate 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.
Cambridge MENAF Announces Inaugural Mahsa Jina Amini Fellow
MENAF is pleased to announce the launch of the Mahsa Jina Amini Fellowship and the selection of Djanan Deghati as the inaugural Fellow.
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: December 2025
This paper argues that the Abraham Accords have evolved from a diplomatic initiative into a stress-tested regional architecture that structures security coordination, economic integration, and strategic alignment between participating countries.
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.
Israel, Syria, and Lebanon: Bridges and Boundaries amidst Regional Realignments
Regional Threat Perceptions and the Multi-Front War in the Middle East 19th November 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Location/Venue: On Piccadilly, W1J London Exact location to be confirmed. Seats
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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