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Iran’s Imperial Japan Syndrome: How Military Rule Could Jeopardize Its Future
Iran's IRGC-led war strategy echoes Imperial Japan, as US airstrikes, naval blockades and tensions in Hormuz reshape…
Beyond the Battlefield: The U.S. and Iran Contest for Narrative Dominance
The US and Iran deploy contrasting digital propaganda strategies, using AI, popular culture and social media to…
Before the Collapse: Turkey and Israel’s Uneven Economic Partnership
Erdoğan’s Strategy for PKK’s Disarmament, Elections, and Power
Publications
First edition: September 2026
This paper argues that Iranian women journalists have transformed the country’s media from a state-controlled instrument of gender exclusion into a sustained arena of resistance, knowledge production, and political agency.
First edition: March 2026
Ongoing operations have significantly impacted Iran’s conventional military capabilities, while eliminating key members of its leadership. However, remarkable resilience has been displayed by Iran’s security forces.
First edition: September 2025
Critical Minerals Initiative
Research. Dialogue. Real-World Impact.
Global Geopolitics
Understanding strategic competition, resource diplomacy and evolving international cooperation.
Investment & Industrialisation
Analysing the political economy of investment, processing and local value creation.
Responsible Value Chains
Promoting responsible governance, sustainability and resilient mineral value chains.
Policy & Partnerships
Connecting governments, industry and research institutions to deliver practical cooperation.
Critical Minerals Initiative
Research. Dialogue. Real-World Impact.
Global Geopolitics
Understanding strategic competition, resource diplomacy and evolving international cooperation.
Investment & Industrialisation
Analysing the political economy of investment, processing and local value creation.
Responsible Value Chains
Promoting responsible governance, sustainability and resilient mineral value chains.
Policy & Partnerships
Connecting governments, industry and research institutions to deliver practical cooperation.
Upcoming Event
Third edition of the
Critical Minerals Forum
25-27 November 2026 | Wilton Park
An invitation-only gathering convened with the UK FCDO, The Faraday Institution and Vitol to advance practical cooperation on critical minerals between the UK, like-minded governments, African and Gulf partners.
Upcoming Event
Third edition of the
Critical Minerals Forum
25-27 November 2026 | Wilton Park
An invitation-only gathering convened with the UK FCDO, The Faraday Institution and Vitol to advance practical cooperation on critical minerals between the UK, like-minded governments, African and Gulf partners.
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 Launches Report on the Evolution of Women’s Role in Iranian Media
Cambridge MENAF launches Fearless Voices tracing how Iranian women journalists challenged repression and shaped media from 1979 to Woman, Life, Freedom in Iran.
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.
Events
From international conferences and keynote addresses to expert panels, strategic roundtables and specialist discussions, Cambridge MENAF convenes diverse voices to explore pressing regional and global challenges.
Iraq in a Changing Middle East
This discussion will examine how these regional shifts are influencing Iraq’s governance, security, foreign policy, and internal political dynamics. Bringing together experts with diverse…
Past Events & Recordings
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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