Iran and Saudi Arabia: Mutual Threat Perceptions and the Potential for Conflict
For about a year and a half, there was hope that Iran and Saudi Arabia, two Persian Gulf neighbours and regional rivals, would overcome the period of hostility between them and agree on some form of normalisation in bilateral relations. That hope was primarily fuelled by the Iranian-Saudi dialogue process, which began in April 2021 […]
Will Turkey’s Meddling in Syria Solve the Kurdish Dilemma?
Turkey’s long-lasting Kurdish issue, which embodies the political, economic and cultural problems that Kurds have faced over the past century, has become more complicated than ever, largely due to the Syrian conflict and the upcoming presidential election in 2023. Not only has the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Syria policy contributed to the country’s […]
Iran’s Protests: The Role of Power and the Weakening of the Reform Movement
Throughout history, the concept of liberation for Iranians has been something like anarchism. The widespread protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini have been analysed through different political, economic and social theories. Based on this, the weakening of the middle class, the demands of Generation Z and the women’s movement have been cited […]
Book Review: “Turkish Politics and ‘The People’: Mass Mobilisation and Populism” by Spyros Sofos
On October 29, 2022, the Republic of Turkey celebrated its 99th anniversary. To mark the day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum in Ankara where the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is buried. Speaking at the site, Erdoğan proclaimed that during the two decades in which his Justice and Development […]
In Conversation with Brian Hook
In Conversation with Brian Hook Held on 14 December, 2022 Speaker Brian Hook | Brian is a veteran U.S. diplomat who has worked for three presidential administrations. Most recently, he served as U.S. Special Representative for Iran (2018-20) and Director of State Department Policy Planning (2017-8), and was a key architect of U.S. sanctions on […]
French Foreign Policy in the Middle East
French Foreign Policy in the Middle East Held on 6 December, 2022 Speakers Michel Duclos | A French diplomat who currently works as a Senior Advisor at the Institut Montaigne and the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Centre and Middle East program. Louis Dugit-Gros | A French diplomat and member of the Ministry for Europe and […]
The Syrian Conflict: Reflections and Prospects
The Syrian Conflict: Reflections and Prospects Held on 10 November, 2022 Speakers Ola Rifai | Senior research fellow and the Deputy Director for Outreach at the Centre for Syrian Studies. Mohamad al-Ashmar | Humanitarian professional and consultant in international development and humanitarian crises. International Relations doctoral researcher at the University of St Andrews (UK). Dr […]
Can the Iraqi Prime Minister implement his pledges?
After more than a year of political stalemate, the Iraqi government headed by Mohammad Shiaa al-Sudani was formed, and his selections for ministerial positions were passed without much Parliamentary obstruction. Iraqis hope that the new Prime Minister and his government will be able to fulfil the promises he made to address the country’s deteriorating conditions […]
Lebanon Falls Short on Refugee Returns
Following months of public statements in support of their supposed refugee return plan, Lebanese officials have begun sending Syrian refugees to neighbouring Syria. This effort falls against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the country and Lebanon’s steady economic collapse – both horrific for displaced Syrians. Yet, while Lebanon’s plan to return roughly 15,000 […]
Can the West circumvent the Iranian regime’s ultimate monopoly of the internet?
The ongoing civil protests[i] taking place across Iran in response to the killing of Gina (Mahsa) Amini, which have been taking place since 13 September, have been accompanied by the vast social media exposure which has become characteristic[ii] of public protests in recent years. Social media has been praised by experts as emancipatory tool[iii] with […]