

Will Saudi Arabia’s streak of liberalization extend to normalizing ties with Israel?
When Saudi Arabia will normalize ties with Israel depends on the war in the Gaza Strip, but the current status quo already heralds a change.
COP28 is Middle East’s Last Chance to Avoid Climate Catastrophe
The Hamas-Israel War and parallels with the Tet offensive in Vietnam
Is Abdul Hamid Dbeiba’s Government Reaching its Expiration Date in Libya?
How the United Arab Emirates Has Promoted Tolerance, Co-Existence and Multiculturalism to Confront Religious Violence
On the War In Sudan: A Regional Crisis Looms
Turkey’s Risky Monetary Policy Experiment
Recent Initiatives
Recanati-Kaplan Applied History Initiative
The Recanati-Kaplan 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 work to Middle East policy, and to support policymakers with historical insight as they approach the region’s key issues.
Fellowship Programme
The Fellowship Programme offers talented students and young professionals the opportunity to join discussions about the future of British foreign policy vis-á-vis the Middle East and North Africa region at the forefront of MENAF’s network.
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.
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
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.
- There are no upcoming events.
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Latest Past Events
The Hamas-Israel War: Regional Perspectives
Online on ZoomRegister to attend the event online on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H_QYbBYFTyWX-c1rmMr7-A* The event is organised and hosted in collaboration with Audere International.The war, triggered by Hamas' unprecedented surprise attack on Israeli towns
The Geopolitics of Energy in the East Mediterranean
Newnham College, Cambridge & Online on Zoom Sidgwick Hall, Newnham College, Sidgwick Ave, Cambridge*Separate registration for IN PERSON and ONLINE attendees below.A series of discoveries over the past decade revealed that the East Mediterranean region sits on large reserves of natural gas. Plans
2023 Turkish Elections: 5 More Years of Erdogan?
Newnham College (Cambridge) & Online on Zoom Barbara White Room, Newnham College, Sidgwick Ave, Cambridge*Separate Registration for IN PERSON and ONLINE attendees below.Described as the “World’s Most Important Elections of 2023”, Turkey faces dual presidential and parliamentary votes holding considerable ramifications for its future
Previous Events
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
French Foreign Policy in the Middle East
6 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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