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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 […]

The Lebanon-Israel maritime deal: A masterstroke from Hezbollah?

Hezbollah’s approach to Lebanon’s historic maritime deal with Israel is canny because it can be interpreted in two ways. As the Lebanese government rubs its hands in anticipation of potential lucrative hydrocarbon revenues, Hezbollah has another reason to celebrate last month’s landmark maritime border deal with Israel. Soon after the breakthrough, which saw the two warring countries […]

Netanyahu’s return throws future of Israel-Gulf ties into question

Published in the Jerusalem Post