August 25, 2026
Relations between Türkiye and Israel are no longer merely a troubled diplomatic relationship affected by the war in Gaza or by the personal and political […]
August 16, 2026
Executive Summary On 13 August 2026, the football federations of Qatar, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, and Mauritania issued a joint statement backing FIFA President Gianni […]
August 12, 2026
The convergence of strategic thinking among the leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye led to a landmark security agreement capable of transforming the contemporary […]
August 12, 2026
Photo Source: https://omidradio.com/en The new Syrian-Russian agreement concerning the future of Russia’s military presence at Hmeimim and Tartus is far more than a technical settlement […]
August 9, 2026
Photo: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, […]
August 8, 2026
Photo: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, […]
August 5, 2026
Introduction: A Relationship That Transcends History and Reflects the Reshaping of the International Order As Syria and China commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the establishment […]
July 27, 2026
Source of photo: https://www.thenationalnews.com/ The visit of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to Damascus was far more than a routine diplomatic engagement. It came at […]
July 24, 2026
For decades, preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons has been one of the central pillars of U.S. foreign policy since the end of World War II. […]
July 15, 2026
On July 7, 2026, President Donald Trump announced from Ankara that the United States would lift CAATSA sanctions imposed on Türkiye in 2020 and would consider restoring […]
July 10, 2026
The inauguration of Egypt’s State Strategic Command Headquarters, “The Octagon,” on July 4, 2026, represents more than a military modernization project. It signals a deliberate declaration […]
July 9, 2026
Source of the photo: NATO. https://www.nato.int/en/multimedia/multimedia/photos/2026/07/07/engagement-of-ministers-of-foreign-affairs-with-ici-partners The 2026 NATO Summit took place on 7-8 July in Ankara, Türkiye. The main priority on the agenda had […]
July 6, 2026
Photo’s Source: https://dailybeirut.com/ There is a version of this story Washington likes to tell itself: the U.S. and Iran finally cut a deal, the guns […]
June 22, 2026
For nearly half a century, Syria’s designation by the U.S. as a State Sponsor of Terrorism has stood as one of the most enduring features of […]
June 20, 2026
Executive Summary The world has been fighting over Iran’s nuclear program for over 20 years. Wars have been fought. Sanctions have been imposed. People have died. […]
June 17, 2026
Executive Summary The war that opened against the Islamic Republic of Iran in February 2026 has revived one of the oldest questions in Middle Eastern security: […]
June 3, 2026
When the Al-Aqsa Flood operation unfolded on 7 October 2023, the immediate assumption among regional security analysts was that the escalatory spiral would prove uncontrollable. The […]
May 26, 2026
Photo Source: https://www.sbs.com.au/ Introduction Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East and the official visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to China […]
April 28, 2026
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Global Energy Monitor, Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker, and the World Bank Group Beyond Gaza, Iran, Ukraine, and most recently Lebanon, […]
April 22, 2026
I. Introduction On 8 April 2026, the Strait of Hormuz was closed once again. According to data from maritime traffic tracking systems, the oil tanker ‘AUROURA’ […]
April 22, 2026
As the global “throat” of energy transportation, the Strait of Hormuz carries nearly 20 million barrels of crude oil and refined oil products per day, controlling […]
April 15, 2026
PAKISTAN succeeded in convening historic direct talks between Iran and the United States, known as the Islamabad Talks, on April 11-12, 2026. Both sides had started […]
April 15, 2026
Source: https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/chinas-achilles-heel-in-relationship-with-arab-gulf-states Against the backdrop of the escalating military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, the regional security situation has deteriorated […]
March 31, 2026
Photo’s Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/explainers/what-greater-israel Recent comments by the United States of America and Israel have raised concerns amongst the international community, as the two countries indulge […]
March 26, 2026
THE US-Israel ongoing war against Iran has heightened the salience of missile defense systems. The substantial deployment of low-cost drones and ballistic and cruise missiles compels […]
March 25, 2026
International Law under siege On the morning of Saturday, February 28, 2026, coinciding with the tenth day of the holy month of Ramadan, the working week […]
March 16, 2026
The first two weeks of the war with Iran have been, among other things, a study in how propaganda functions when all sides are using it […]
March 16, 2026
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have raised fears of a major disruption to global energy supply after military strikes involving the United States and Israel. […]
March 6, 2026
Abstract The February 2026 joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran mark a fundamental shift in Middle Eastern strategic relations. This article […]
February 20, 2026
Defending sovereignty: U.S. Pressure, Iranian Influence, and the Stance Against Foreign Intervention
Source of photo: https://www.newarab.com/news/exclusive-us-steps-pressure-iraq-curb-irans-influence America and Iraq have a long and complicated past, defined by support and conflict, with America constantly jumping between the two. […]
February 19, 2026
Source of the photo: https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/gaza-board-of-peace-plan-draws-rare-israel-us-disagreement In a bid to regain influence following a perceived American retreat from the Middle East, President Trump proposed a 20-point […]
January 26, 2026
IRAN’S prevailing internal turmoil is problematic for its ruling elite and alarming for the entire region. The rising inflation and economic grievances have unleashed demonstrations across […]
January 6, 2026
Introduction: The Algorithmic Battlespace Warfare is undergoing a profound revolution, not in explosive yield, but in the cognitive processes that select targets. The advent of Artificial […]
December 11, 2025
The ongoing sufferings of the Gazans are not ending due to Israel’s aggressive designs against innocent, unarmed Palestinians and its regional agenda. The continuity of Israeli […]
November 22, 2025
In October 2025, the European Union unveiled the New Pact for the Mediterranean, a landmark initiative aimed at deepening cooperation between Europe and its Southern […]
October 10, 2025
Photo source: The White House – Tony Blair being presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2009, https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2009/01/images/20090113-7_p011309cg-0410-515h.html After the official announcement of the 20-points plan […]
October 6, 2025
Photo: Mahmoud Issa /Reuters via Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/10/4/israeli-air-strikes-hit-gaza-despite-trumps-stop-bombing-demand) On October 6th, 2025, delegations from Hamas and Israel are meeting in Cairo for a new round […]
October 3, 2025
Introduction The reported Israeli airstrikes in Doha mark a dramatic expansion of conflict into the Gulf, far beyond Israel’s usual theatres of engagement in Gaza, Lebanon, […]
September 30, 2025
Photo source: https://www.whitehouse.gov On September 29th, USA President Donald Trump held a joint statement with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, at the White House, presenting his […]
September 2, 2025
Photo: On 31 August 2025, a reception and concert program were held at the Tianjin Meijiang International Convention and Exhibition Center in honor of heads of […]
July 27, 2025
Background evolutions As of July 2025, the war from Gaza Strip is ongoing and acute, amid violence and Israeli territorial claims in the West Bank. Israel […]
July 20, 2025
After less than a year into the post-Assad Syria, as-Suwaida (Sweida) region became the last entry on two aggression lists: chronologically, Ahmed al-Sharaa (aka Abu Mohammed […]
June 17, 2025
Introduction In a June 11th, 2025, article, the prominent Israeli media outlet Haaretz was presenting and contextualizing Israeli Prime-Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s question on what was wrong […]
June 16, 2025
Note by H.E. Mr. Seyed Hossein Sadat Meidani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Romania, 16 June 2025 On June 13, 2025, Israel launched […]
June 13, 2025
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Bucharest-Romania Press Release Regarding Israeli Regime’s military aggression against the territory of The Islamic Republic of Iran on 13 […]
June 12, 2025
When an amalgam of rebel factions led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham toppled the Bashar Al-Assad regime, whose family had ruled Syria for fifty years until December […]
May 31, 2025
Key issue: On May 30, 2025, reports emerged that Israel has decided to prevent a delegation of Middle Eastern foreign ministers led by Saudi Foreign Minister […]
May 17, 2025
Slogans and posters of a “new era” have taken over the streets of Lebanon, but what does this new era entail? Is there a shift […]
April 25, 2025
Introduction The Syrian civil war has long transformed the region into a fragmented geopolitical chessboard, attracting the involvement of regional and global powers. With the recent […]
April 24, 2025
The prospect of a direct military confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America stands as one of the most complex […]
April 12, 2025
Photo: Large Protest in Morocco Calls for End to Israel Ties, Supports Gaza In early April 2025, Morocco witnessed some of its most significant demonstrations […]
April 9, 2025
IRAN is a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and continues to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Iranian ruling elite frequently reiterates its […]
March 29, 2025
The Arab plan for the reconstruction of Gaza is facing significant challenges from the U.S. and Israel after positioning itself as a viable alternative to Trump’s […]
March 27, 2025
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful International Qods Day, observed annually on the last Friday of Ramadan, has become a day […]
March 17, 2025
Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Democratic_Forces; SDF fighters celebrating their victory in the Battle of Raqqa against ISIS with a portrait of PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan in the background, mid-October […]
March 5, 2025
Ambassadors and envoys of countries representing members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab Group in Romania on Tuesday (March, 03, 2025) hosted […]
February 17, 2025
Image Credit: Manuel Augusto Moreno, Getty Images The adversarial relationship between Iran and Israel has deep historical roots, tracing back more tough to the 1979 […]
February 11, 2025
Photo: US President Donald Trump along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a joint press conference In Washington on February 04, 2025. Introduction: To […]
February 2, 2025
In mid-January 2025 the World Bank (2025, a)[1] released the first edition of this year of the macroeconomic report, Global Economic Prospects, entitled “Emerging and Developing […]
January 27, 2025
Photo: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met in Ankara in December 2024, https://www.aa.com.tr/ Introduction Türkiye-Qatar […]
January 22, 2025
Source of photo: www.scmp.com After over five decades of authoritarian rule and thirteen harsh years of civil war, the Assad regime experienced a remarkably swift […]
January 21, 2025
Source of photo: https://futureuae.com/ Donald Trump’s re-election triumph marks a turning point in the way American foreign policy is approached in the face of the […]
January 19, 2025
Source of photo: Wikipedia, Lebanese President Joseph AOUN In the past five years, Lebanon has faced continuous crises and difficulties. A severe economic collapse in 2019 […]
January 13, 2025
President Biden Meets with President Netanyahu. Credit: Getty Images In October 2023, the longstanding conflict between Israel and the Sunni Islamist group Hamas saw a […]
January 8, 2025
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, encompassing the Maghreb, Mashreq, and Gulf subregions, represents a profoundly complex geopolitical entity, characterized by its diversity in […]
December 29, 2024
With Donald Trump now elected as the next president and set to assume office shortly, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region again stands […]
December 18, 2024
Photo: A woman waves the flag of the Syrian rebels as people gather on Sunday in Umayyad Square, located in the Syrian capital of Damascus, to […]
December 18, 2024
Photo: The new Syrian flag raised high in Damascus. The unceremonious ouster of President Bashar al-Assad entirely transformed the domestic political landscape in Syria and […]
December 18, 2024
The Syrian tragedy once more captures the global spotlight. In addition to Bashar al-Assad’s departure, the rebels have now successfully driven the Baathist regime out of […]
December 17, 2024
Photo: The scenes of joy in Lebanon following the end of the Assad regime are justified and understandable (File/AFP) Thirteen years of unremitting conflict, and […]
December 14, 2024
On November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement was put into effect between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel, marking a complex beginning of a new post-conflict phase. Before […]
December 6, 2024
Kazakhstan is rapidly solidifying its position as a rising economic power and an influential diplomatic actor on the global stage. With strategic initiatives in multiple sectors, […]
November 23, 2024
Photo’s source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en, President Donald Trump and Premier Benjamin Netanyahu Trump has previously proclaimed himself the “best thing that could ever happen to Israel” (Schechter), […]
November 12, 2024
DONALD Trump’s triumph in the 47th presidential election held on November 5, 2024, has kicked off an intensive debate among commentators about his Administration’s internal and […]
October 29, 2024
The recent BRICS summit unveils the organization’s strategic expansion to solidify its position as a prominent global player. President Putin and Xi reiterated their global worldviews, […]
October 26, 2024
The rapid transformation in global geopolitics, the vertical proliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclear-armed states signaling to use nuclear weapons to intimidate adversaries, and the escalation of […]
October 15, 2024
We are facing two major and historic global transformations, while the fate of both transformations remains uncertain. First: The global order that emerged after World War […]
September 21, 2024
Venue: Grand Hotel Bucharest 5*, Rapsodia Conference Hall (1st Floor), Blvd. Nicolae Bălcescu, nr.4 (Piața Universității), Sector 1, Bucharest Organizers: MEPEI (Middle East Political and Economic […]
September 19, 2024
Iraqis are proud successors of a millennia-long, rich, diverse, and relevant culture, that fascinated and inspired humanity far beyond its borders. In early July, 2024, […]
September 3, 2024
-On the occasion of the Day of Diplomacy of Romania- Asia’s cultural diversity, economic vitality, technological innovation, and geopolitical significance collectively underscore its pivotal role in […]
August 6, 2024
Palestinian group Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran on Wednesday, 31st July in an attack attributed to Israel, hours after an Israeli strike […]
August 5, 2024
Photo’s source: https://www.maannews.net/news The State Council of the People’s Republic of China announced on July 23rd, 2024, that 14 Palestinian factions signed the Beijing Declaration, […]
July 31, 2024
Photo: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the closing ceremony of […]
July 21, 2024
Abstract The digital transformation of the modern era is meteoric and fleeting, leaving governments and institutions on the forefront of dealing with unprecedented regulatory and organizational […]
July 6, 2024
Photo: Greater Israel”, according to the founding father of Zionism Theodore Herzl, is a Jewish State stretching “from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates. […]
June 7, 2024
Abstract: During the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, China and Arab countries made many achievements in the political, economic and cultural fields, […]
May 28, 2024
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China – Arab States Forum. Over the past 20 years, the forum has always adhered […]
May 14, 2024
Photo’s source: https://www.arabnews.com/; GCC-C5 July 2023 Summit Kazakhstan and the Middle East have multifaceted historical connections, involving various aspects such as politics, economy, and culture. Historically, Kazakhstan and the […]
May 14, 2024
Photo’s source: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230708-jordan-massive-demonstration-to-support-palestine-resistance/; Thousands of Jordanians gather during a demonstration in solidarity with Palestinians in Amman, Jordan. [Laith Al-jnaidi – Anadolu Agency] Abstract. This article examines the […]
May 2, 2024
Photo’s source: https://english.aawsat.com/; A state trooper pepper sprays pro-Palestinian protesters, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, after police vehicles were blocked […]
April 11, 2024
Source: www.pinterest.com – Kazakhstan and Middle Eastern countries Kazakhstan has been actively engaging with the Middle East region, fostering a multifaceted relationship that encompasses political, economic, […]
April 2, 2024
Press Communiqué Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bucharest with respect to the terrorist attacks to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s diplomatic premises and […]
March 27, 2024
Photo Sources: https://chinaglobalsouth.com/, Copies of the Chinese government’s new concept paper on the Global Security Initiative Abstract Currently, global challenges continue to emerge, with regional […]
March 20, 2024
Photo’s source: https://amwaj.media/; Iraqi Kurds wave Israeli and Kurdish flags during an event in Erbil, northern Iraq, on Sept. 16, 2017. (Photo via Getty Images) Introduction […]
March 11, 2024
Introduction Since October the 8th, 2023, hostilities at the border between Lebanon and Israel reached new heights. Hezbollah was among regional actors that reacted to Israel’s […]
March 4, 2024
Photo’s Source: https://thecradle.co/articles-id/5009 – Syria joins the Chinese BRI The Syria-China relationship has seen notable development and complexity, particularly in the context of the Chinese […]
February 27, 2024
Photo: The Group of International Experts participated at the Sixth Baghdad International Dialogue Conference On February 24 and 25, 2024, MEPEI’s President Flavius CABA-MARIA participated […]
February 19, 2024
Photo’s Source: https://www.ankasam.org/energy-the-main-basis-of-china-iraq-relations/?lang=en; Chinese and Iraqi flags Introduction China and Iraq have close economic and trade cooperation. China is Iraq’s largest trading partner, and Iraq […]
February 6, 2024
The Salafist and Jihadi ideology contains a strongly anti-Shiite and anti-Iranian approach. Thus, the State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or Daesh from the very […]
February 5, 2024
Photo’s Source: www.japantimes.co.jp, Meeting between the representatives of the US and China Introduction From January 26 to 27, 2024, the Member of the Political Bureau of […]
January 25, 2024
The history of relationships The current land of Oman either had many economic and cultural connections with Iran or was placed under the control of Iranian […]
January 20, 2024
Photo’s Source: PBS.org, Russian president Vladimir Putin attends remotely the BRICS summit in August 2023 Introduction On January 1, 2024, Russia took over the rotating […]
January 17, 2024
SOURCE: https://www.newarab.com The outbreak of any conflict between Israelis and Palestinians invariably puts a spotlight on Egypt. One of the Arab-Islamic world’s most important countries […]
January 17, 2024
Photo’s source: wikipedia.org / Palestine refugees (British Mandate of Palestine – 1948). “Making their way from Galilee in October-November 1948” “Refugees are mothers, fathers, sisters, […]
January 16, 2024
Photo’s source: Wikipedia, Edmund Gall, A few of us climbed the bell tower of one of the churches in the Muslim Quarter to get outstanding views […]
January 16, 2024
In recent times, the complex issue of Palestinian displacement has taken center stage, prompting a closer look at Israel’s goals and strategies for managing this challenging […]
January 14, 2024
Source: www.abc.net.au, Flags of Palestine and Israel Although the solution for a long-term ceasefire has not been confirmed at present, the issue of governance in […]
December 26, 2023
Source: http://me.china-embassy.gov.cn/, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, Ambassador Zhai Jun Introduction China is more than ever deeply concerned about […]
December 14, 2023
On the occasion of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s third trip to the Middle East since 7 October 2023, the day described by ARD journalist Georg […]
December 12, 2023
Introduction On the 7th of October, 2023, Hamas allegedly surprised Israeli security and military institutions with the attack on its soil. Despite the fact that […]
December 10, 2023
Introduction The documented history of humanity encompasses a high number of conflicts and wars with millions of casualties. However, the post-colonial world, that is often considered […]
December 6, 2023
The ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel has not only inflicted immense human suffering, but has also had profound economic consequences for both sides. As we […]
November 12, 2023
Source: https://twitter.com/NATOSouthernHUB – Aspects from the event During the beginning of November 2023, between 7th and 9th, the Allied Command Transformation, under the Open Perspectives […]
September 18, 2023
Tensions between Iran and Egypt began again after the Islamic Revolution, when the exiled Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was welcomed by former Egyptian President […]
September 14, 2023
Iran and Kingdom Saudi as the most important Shiite and Sunni countries in the Islamic world, are two main pillars of the balance of power in […]
September 12, 2023
Why was this agreement made with the participation of Qatar despite the fact that countries like Iraq and Oman have hosted several rounds of meetings in […]
September 11, 2023
Introduction Over the past few months, the US has dispatched additional military forces to the Middle East in multiple phases in order to strengthen its operational […]
September 2, 2023
In the face of unprecedented global polarization, the BRICS alliance has made an impressive step forward by revealing an expanded new strategy that resembles a thriving […]
August 31, 2023
The debate was organized by the EuroDefense Romania and the Middle East Economic and Political Institute on August 30, 2023 For the moment BRICS cannot […]
August 30, 2023
The 15th BRICS summit took place in the midst of a tumultuous, almost entropic period in international politics, characterised by the end of the pandemic period, […]
July 8, 2023
Photo: Streets in Babylon, Iraq. Source: Wikipedia The capacity of a nation to improve its performance in a variety of spheres of life chief among […]
July 4, 2023
Published in March 2023, the factsheet prepared by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) compares the trends in international arms transfers in two periods, 2013-2017 and […]
June 11, 2023
President Bashar al-Assad, Photo source: Sana.sy Over the past few months, there has been a surge of diplomatic endeavours in the Middle East, which […]
June 3, 2023
Located in the heart of the Middle East, Syria is on the mend after a horrific civil war that lasted for over a decade. President Bashar […]
June 2, 2023
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns on an international scale, with potential repercussions extending far beyond the immediate region. This Op-ed aims […]
May 29, 2023
On May 29, 2023, MEPEI’s President, Mr. Flavius CABA-MARIA, was invited as a speaker at the roundtable discussion organized by the Institute for Faith-based Diplomacy Romania […]
May 3, 2023
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Damascus International Airport – SANA Executive summary: On May 3, the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was welcomed by the Syrian Minister […]
May 3, 2023
Source of the photo: www.mfa.gov.tm Executive Summary: The Fourth Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s Neighboring States called on the Taliban to form an inclusive government […]
April 24, 2023
Executive Summary: On April 18, 2023, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan was greeted by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus during his first official […]
April 18, 2023
The Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, during a joint press conference. Photo: Al-Arabiya News On April […]
April 13, 2023
The Middle East is a region of significant importance to the United States (US) due to its strategic location and abundance of natural resources, particularly oil. […]
April 7, 2023
Source of the photo: China MFA Over the past thirty years, China has experienced an average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of over 10%, solidifying […]
April 7, 2023
Source of photo: medyanews.net Executive summary: On April 4, 2023, Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), […]
April 5, 2023
Executive summary: Saudi Arabia is planning to invite President Bashar al Asaad to take part into the annual Arab leaders’ Summit in May. The move would […]
April 2, 2023
Source of the photo: https://www.aa.com.tr/ Executive summary: On April 01, 2023, the Syrian Foreign Minister, Faisal MEKDAD, made his first official visit to Cairo since the […]
March 30, 2023
MEPEI calls on the international community for lifting unilateral sanctions on Syria to facilitate humanitarian aid and to start rebuilding the Syrian economy. Due to the […]
March 24, 2023
Source of the photo: saudigazette.com.sa Executive summary: Saudi Arabia and Syria agreed to restore diplomatic relations after more than a decade since the outbreak of the […]
March 20, 2023
Source of the photo: Sana.sy Executive Summary: On March 19, 2023, Syrian President Bashar al Assad arrived in the United Arab Emirates where he met President Sheikh […]
March 17, 2023
In an unprecedented turn of events, Iran and Saudi Arabia have come to a momentous agreement on March 10, 2023, which has the potential to bring […]
March 16, 2023
Source of the photo: www.tehrantimes.com Iran has agreed to ceased weapons shipments to the Houthist in Yemen in light of the recent agreement to restore diplomatic […]
March 15, 2023
Source of the photo: Sana.sy Executive summary: On March 14, 2023, President Bashar al-Asaad paid an official visit to the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin together with […]
February 13, 2023
Source of the photo: Wikipedia; Collapsed building in Syria As most countries that possesses natural resources or find themselves at the intersection of big interest, […]
January 30, 2023
For a long time, China was Lebanon’s principal trading partner. The sale of cheap and high-quality Chinese items is a key source of income in Lebanon. […]
August 4, 2022
The new Middle East is emerging in the wake of the US decision to size up its military and diplomatic position, increase the resolve of regional […]
June 23, 2022
Thursday, 07 July 2022 Venue: Marshal Garden Hotel, 5th Floor – Panoramic 1 Conference Hall, Calea Dorobanților 50B, Bucharest, Romania Organizers: MEPEI (Middle East Political and […]
June 7, 2022
Executive summary: On the 15th of May 2022 Parliamentary elections were held in Lebanon (hereinafter the Country). People cast their vote after a season of protests, […]
May 5, 2022
Between May 5th and May 6th, 2022, MEPEI, together with the University Babes-Bolyai from Cluj-Napoca, the Faculty of History and Philosophy, the Department of International Studies […]
April 28, 2022
Photo’s source: wikipedia.org On April 27th, 2022, France and Saudi Arabia announced a joint development fund for crisis-hit Lebanon that will provide $76 million for […]
April 12, 2022
Photo’s source: english.aawsat.com On April 11th, 2022, at least one person has been killed and seven others were injured in an explosion near Sidon in […]
April 6, 2022
Executive summary: On the 15th of May 2022, new parliamentary elections will be held in Lebanon. The last four years have been particularly critical for the […]
March 16, 2022
Source: foreignpolicy.com The crisis between Russia and Ukraine, which has been the main agenda item in international politics for a while, has gained a different dimension […]
February 23, 2022
On 2nd December 2021, the Bucharest-based think-tanks Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI) and EuroDefense Romania, in partnership with IPIS (the Institute for Political and […]
January 26, 2022
Photo’s source: www. wikipedia.org On January 26th, 2022, Lebanon signed deals to purchase electricity from Jordan via Syria, that will help the small country to […]
January 14, 2022
Executive summary: Lebanon is facing today one of the deepest and most intense crises of the entire Middle East region. It is a mix of social, […]
January 12, 2022
Photo’s source: www. wikipedia.org On January 11th, 2022, Banque du Liban Governor Riad SALAMEH was slapped with a travel ban. Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor Judge […]
December 8, 2021
Photo’s source: www. Tehrantimes.com On December 6th, 2021, the national security adviser of the UAE met his Iranian counterpart and the Islamic Republic’s president in […]
November 5, 2021
In the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, Jordan is a beacon of stability and plays an important role in the region. By maintaining peaceful relations […]
November 4, 2021
Understanding United States (US) foreign policy in the Middle East following its withdrawal from Afghanistan has become a big question for world political activists, especially in […]
October 1, 2021
Damascus, Syria Source of the photo: Wikipedia.org On September 29, 2021, a US State Department spokesperson said The United States has no plans to “normalise […]
September 22, 2021
In the past period, the Iraqi economy faced a double challenge, as is the case with most oil-exporting economies, in light of the simultaneous decline in […]
September 10, 2021
Images captured during the virtual reunion. Source: www.english.ahram.org.eg On Wednesday, September 8th, 2021, Pakistan held a video meeting of the Afghanistan neighboring countries to discuss […]
September 3, 2021
Source: quora.com After the effects of the Arab Spring on Russia’s foreign policy in 2011 and its successful mediation in the agreement between the West […]
September 1, 2021
Source: ina.iq On August 31th, 2021, the Iraqi army launched a military operation to secure the country’s borders with Syria. The commander of the Iraqi […]
August 30, 2021
Iranian Foreign Minister delivering a speech in the Baghdad Conference. Source: www.irangov.ir On August 28th, 2021, Iranian and Gulf Arab officials met in Baghdad in […]
August 27, 2021
Hossein Amir-ABDOLLAHIAN, Iranian Foreign Minister Source of the photo: Wikipedia.org On August 27, 2021, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-ABDOLLAHIAN left for Iraq to participate in […]
August 26, 2021
Previous foreign minister Zarif and current foreign minister Amir. Source: www.iranintl.com From the new cabinet, the new foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, is the one whose […]
August 24, 2021
Photo’s source: Twitter.com On August 22th, 2021, Iran said it is ready to ship more fuel to Lebanon if needed, after the Hezbollah leader said […]
August 16, 2021
Photo’s source: bdl.gov.lb On August 12th, 2021, the Central Bank of Lebanon announced that it will end fuel subsidies, a long-awaited move that is likely to […]
July 30, 2021
On July 29th, 2021, the first edition of the Journal MENA in FOCUS was launched in an invitation-based event, held in Bucharest. As the ongoing pandemic […]
July 28, 2021
On July 26, following binding parliamentary consultations with President Michel AOUN, Najib MIKATI was appointed as Lebanon’s new prime minister-designate. The two-time prime minister secured 72 […]
July 28, 2021
Türkiye’s rich historical heritage has transformed it into an important touristic destination. Be it the Aegean seaside, the city of Istanbul or the ruins of ancient […]
July 26, 2021
The Middle East is one of the most relevant geopolitical and geostrategic regions of the world. To better understand its developments, it is necessary to know […]
July 13, 2021
On July 11th, 2021, the Syrian government has doubled the price of bread and tripled the price of diesel throughout the territories under its control, according […]
July 5, 2021
Executive summary: Lebanon is facing a multi-dimensional crisis that is worsening by the day, therefore the need for a solution is crucial. Lebanon has long been […]
July 4, 2021
This paper is dealing with the following issues: Part 1 – Trends and issues 1.The currency valuation a) Factors that are stabilizing the exchange rate b) […]
July 2, 2021
One of the most important questions for people is why the Middle East, despite having one of the richest sources of energy in the world, it […]
June 30, 2021
Hasan DIAB, the Lebanese Interim Prime Minister approved a plan to cut crucial fuel subsidies. This decision could unleash a “social catastrophe” as the economy continues […]
June 18, 2021
The agreements for the new government were signed on the 11th of June, two days earlier than the deadline. The right-wing Yamina party was the last […]
June 9, 2021
On June 7, 2021, the Iranian media reported that Ali Akbar MOHTASHAMIPOUR, a former interior minister and Iranian cleric who is considered the founder of Lebanese […]
June 8, 2021
Recent developments have placed the Middle East region at a geopolitical turning point, challenging the European Union (EU) more than ever, to the extent that a […]
June 4, 2021
Benjamin Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister of Israel, being in function for the past 12 years. But this might soon change, as Israel is trying […]
May 27, 2021
On the 26th of May presidential elections were held in Syria. The three candidates were president Bashar al-Assad, Abdullah Sallum Abdullah, former state minister of parliamentary […]
May 22, 2021
The decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians reemerged into an armed and violent one at the beginning of this month. On the 6th of May […]
May 21, 2021
The occasional tensions and violence between Israel and Palestine transferred to a new dimension this year on Jerusalem day in May. Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim): Some […]
May 18, 2021
May 14, 2021
How the conflict began On the 6th of May, the Palestinians started to protest against the decision taken by the Supreme Court of Israel on the […]
May 11, 2021
On May 11, 2021, the US Treasury Department sanctioned seven Lebanese people connected to Hezbollah for illicitly transferring $500m on behalf of the Iran-backed group. The […]
May 7, 2021
Last month, on the 23rd of April 2021, Türkiye initiated a land and air offensive against Kurdish military forces in this region. The assault comprises two […]
May 6, 2021
On the 27th of April 2021, the Global Studies Center, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu hosts as a special guest, Mr. Samer Al-LAHAM, Syrian civil engineering, […]
April 23, 2021
A missile launched by Syria on the 22nd of April 2021 hit the southern part of the Israeli territory. It landed in the Abu Qrenat Bedouin, […]
April 22, 2021
On April 21, 2021, Syrian President Bashar Al ASSAD presented the documents to run for a third term in an election scheduled for May 26. This […]
April 20, 2021
Understanding power relations in the Middle East requires two basic dimensions. One is to know the essence of the international system and the role of international […]
April 20, 2021
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the country is open to direct talks with Saudi Arabia after media reports said the two countries held secret talks in Baghdad. […]
April 19, 2021
Eastern Mediterranean has always been the heart of many problems such as the Cyprus issue, the Syrian civil war, the civil war in Libya, and the […]
April 15, 2021
On April 15, 2021, four people had been killed and 18 injured in a car bomb attack in the Sadr City, neighborhood of the Iraqi capital […]
April 14, 2021
On April 14, 2021, the Greek Prime Minister MITSOTAKIS said after a meeting with the president of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-MENFI in Athens that […]
April 1, 2021
The legislative election in Israel took place on the 23rd of March 2021 and it was the country’s fourth election organized in only two years. The […]
March 20, 2021
The Second Tehran Dialogue Forum was held online on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. It was led by Dr. Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour the president of the Institute […]
March 19, 2021
The Second Tehran Dialogue Forum was held online on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. It was led by Dr. Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour the president of the Institute […]
March 18, 2021
The Second Tehran Dialogue Forum was held online on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. It was led by Dr. Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour the president of the Institute […]
March 15, 2021
The Arab Spring uprisings that arose in Tunisia in 2010 spread to Syria in 2011. This situation, which turned into a civil war in Syria over […]
March 11, 2021
On the 4th of March 2021, the Global Studies Center, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu has hosted as a special guest, Dr. Audeh B. QUAWAS, Jordanian […]
March 10, 2021
The Biden administration has revived the prospects of the JCPOA agreement. However, progress in discussion on both the reinstatement of the agreement and on Iran’s broader […]
March 9, 2021
On March 8, 2021, Pope Francis concluded a trip to Iraq. This event demonstrated that Iraq, still beset by violence and recovering from decades of war […]
March 5, 2021
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has made increasing efforts to regain its former dominance over the South Caucasus region with rich energy resources […]
March 4, 2021
On March 2, 2021, the Lebanese pound hits a new record low against the United States dollar on the black market. This is a result of […]
March 1, 2021
On the 4th of March 2021, the Global Studies Center, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu hosts as a special guest, Dr. Audeh B. QUAWAS, Jordanian Senator […]
February 5, 2021
Normalising relations with Israel could have dire consequences for the Gulf states. Creating a strategic partnership with the Israeli government provides one means of building a […]
February 3, 2021
On February 2th, 2021 Palestinian Authority launched a COVID-19 vaccination campaign with health workers receiving the first shots after the delivery of doses from Israel and […]
January 26, 2021
Transfer of Caspian Sea gas to Italy is another dimension of gas cooperation between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Europe, given that currently Ankara and Baku have become […]
January 25, 2021
On January 24, 2021, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) representative said in a statement that “The Iraqi authorities have requested emergency assistance from the IMF under […]
January 21, 2021
On 20 January 2021, the Faculty of Business, Law, and Politics / University of Hull organized an online seminar with the theme “The Normalisation Accord between […]
January 20, 2021
On November 19th 2020, the Middle East Political and Economic Institute, alongside the EURISC Foundation, organized the 6th yearly International Conference dedicated to the Middle East […]
November 20, 2020
The current landscape of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), after all the political, military and geopolitical evolutions the Arab world went through during the […]
November 19, 2020
On November 19, 2020, the Bucharest-based think-tanks the Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI) and the EURISC Foundation organized the Webinar/ International Conference “Post-pandemic: A […]
October 27, 2020
At the beginning of October 2020, Lebanon and Israel agreed to hold talks over disputed maritime borders, even though the two countries theoretically do not maintain […]
October 23, 2020
On Thursday, October 22, 2020, almost a year after his resignation amid fervent protests, former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was re-elected to form a new […]
October 22, 2020
After the normalization deal agreed in August and signed on September 15th, together with Bahrain, brokered by the US, under the name of Abraham Accords, on […]
October 14, 2020
On October 12, 2020, a new Jordanian government was approved through Royal Decree, the cabinet being headed by Bisher Al Khasawneh, as Prime Minister and Minister […]
October 12, 2020
Last week, the Lebanese president, Michel Aoun, announced that he will launch consultations with the parliament at the beginning of this week, in order to progress […]
October 7, 2020
The Arab Youth Survey 2020 finds the Levant region has the highest number of people aged 18-24 considering emigrating, as identified by this research paper published […]
October 6, 2020
On Sunday, October 4, 2020, Syria announced, through Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Walid al-Muallim, that it had officially received the credentials […]
October 1, 2020
On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein declared that Baghdad is “not happy” with a “dangerous” threat by Washington to pull its troops […]
September 29, 2020
Forming a government seems like an impossible task for Lebanon since the Prime Minister-designate Moustapha Adib quit on Saturday, September 26, 2020, after failing to line […]
September 28, 2020
On Sunday, September 27, 2020, the Jordanian King Abdullah II dissolved the Parliament through royal decree as of Sunday and with another royal decree, a new […]
September 25, 2020
The date of September 24th marked a turning point for Palestinians in the recent crisis generated by the normalization deals signed on September 15th between Israel […]
September 24, 2020
On Tuesday, September 22, 2020, the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), headquartered in Cairo, was officially turned into a regional organization (through an online conference) by […]
September 23, 2020
Despite surpassing the deadline imposed by France for the formation of a new government (September 14, 2020), Lebanon has not yet reached a conclusion to the […]
September 22, 2020
On Tuesday, September 22, 2020, the Palestinian foreign minister declared that Palestine has quit its current chairmanship of Arab League meetings, condemning as dishonorable any Arab […]
September 18, 2020
As a result of Lebanon’s failure to form a new government by mid-September in accordance with a schedule laid out together with France, French President Emmanuel […]
September 15, 2020
Amid growing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and Cyprus are intensifying talks to start building an offshore gas pipeline from the Aphrodite gas field to […]
September 14, 2020
Following the example of the UAE, on Friday, September 11, 2020, as expected by many Middle East specialists, Bahrain concluded a deal with Israel, under the […]
September 10, 2020
On Monday, September 7, 2020, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received the visit of a Russian delegation in Damascus, led by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri […]
September 1, 2020
On August 30, 2020, the Syrian President Bashar al-ASSAD signed the decree no. 210 for 2020 appointing a new cabinet headed by Hussein ARNOUS without changing […]
August 31, 2020
On August 31, 2020, Mustapha ADIB Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany was nominated by former Lebanese Premier Saad HARIRI to formal consultations to be the next prime […]
August 27, 2020
The French President Emanuel MACRON has sent a roadmap to the Lebanese politicians, containing political and financial reforms needed to unlock foreign aid and rescue the […]
August 19, 2020
On Tuesday, August 18th, the UN-trial for the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister resulted in the accusation of a Hezbollah commander for the operation. […]
August 14, 2020
On Thursday, August 13th, 2020, Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concluded a historic agreement, under the supervision of United States (US), which is meant […]
August 12, 2020
On Tuesday, August 11th, a Turkish drone targeted a meeting between Iraqi border officials and Kurdish militants, in the north of Erbil, according to official statements. […]
August 11, 2020
Following the explosion from the port of Beirut on August 4th and the subsequent violent protests of the population due to the lack of reforms in […]
August 7, 2020
Idlib is currently home to about 4 million civilians, including hundreds of thousands of people displaced in recent years by government-backed forces throughout war-torn Syria, with […]
August 5, 2020
The evening of August 4th came together with a new turning point in the on-going crisis in Lebanon. Several explosions took place, after a fire, in […]
August 4, 2020
After less than seven months in power, on Monday, August 3rd, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nassif HITTI resigned while the Government is accused of not being […]
July 24, 2020
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian paid a two-day visit (July 23-24, 2020) in Lebanon aimed at pressing Beirut to implement long-overdue reforms and dissociate from […]
July 17, 2020
Jordan’s top court has dissolved the country’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational Islamist movement, an official said on July 16, 2020, citing the group’s […]
July 13, 2020
On July 11, 2020, the UN Security Council approved a resolution authorizing humanitarian aid delivery to Syria’s mainly rebel-held northwest from Türkiye through just one crossing […]
July 10, 2020
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad says the recent military agreement signed by Damascus and Tehran is the result of years of cooperation in fighting against terrorism in […]
July 3, 2020
Arab billionaires have been affected by the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic and have lost some of their wealth like the other world billionaires. They […]
July 1, 2020
On July 1, 2020, in a virtual meeting the opposing sides in Syria’s war Iran, Russian Federation, and Türkiye have held talks reflecting “harmonized” efforts to […]
June 25, 2020
On June 24, 2020, the parliament speaker Nabih BERRI, amid growing protests over Lebanon’s economic problems has called on the government, central bank, and commercial banks […]
June 17, 2020
Kelly CRAFT, US Ambassador to the UN told Syria’s Bashar al-ASSAD government on June 16, 2020, to make a choice between a political solution to the […]
June 15, 2020
Türkiye and Russia have postponed ministerial-level talks on Libya and Syria, where the two countries support opposing sides in the conflicts. “The two countries’ deputy ministers […]
May 21, 2020
On May 20, 2020, in a brief statement the intelligence agency said: “Today, the terrorist named Nasser al-QIRDASH, the candidate to succeed the criminal (Abu BAKR) […]
May 19, 2020
On May 11, 2020, Geir PEDERSEN, the UN special envoy for Syria called for talks between Russia and the US to help end the more than […]
May 5, 2020
On May 04, 2020, the U.N. Security Council backed Lebanon’s efforts to end the country’s economic crisis and approach other challenges including the impact of COVID-19, […]
April 29, 2020
On April 29, 2020, Riad SALAMEH the Lebanese Central Bank governor defended his record, rejecting criticism from the prime minister that he was to blame for […]
April 23, 2020
Traditionally, Ramadan begins with the sighting of the crescent moon, which generally appears one night after the new moon, meaning the start date cannot be precisely predicted. […]
April 21, 2020
On April 21, 2020, President Bashar al-ASSAD received Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad ZARIF and the accompanying delegation. At the start of the meeting, President al-ASSAD […]
April 14, 2020
Even as the world scrambles to respond to the new coronavirus pandemic, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again emerged as the global leader in […]
April 13, 2020
On April 12, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia, and other oil-producing nations, a group known as OPEC+, agreed to cut output by a […]
April 10, 2020
On April 09, 2020, the Iraq’s President Barham SALIH has nominated head of intelligence Mustafa al-KADHIMI as Iraq’s new prime minister-designate. President Barham SALIH turned to […]
April 7, 2020
While already struggling with simultaneous crises affecting its banking sector and currency, Lebanon seems to get engulfed by the spread of Covid-19 within its borders. On […]
April 1, 2020
The spread of coronavirus is the latest crisis to hit Lebanon, already facing ongoing anti-government protests since October 2019 and finding itself in the grips of […]
July 18, 2017
There is an increased need for adopting a deeper and more comprehensive approach for understanding terrorism in the shadow of the present conflicting approaches adopted. One […]
November 1, 2016
Michel AOUN has been declared the Republic of Lebanon’s 13th president after gaining a simple majority in the Lebanese parliament on 31 October 2016, putting an […]
September 23, 2016
The parliamentary elections in Jordan are set at a time of turbulence in the broader region, Jordan had to put enormous efforts into stabilizing itself against […]
June 13, 2016
Department of International Studies and Contemporary History – Faculty of History and Philosophy, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca in cooperation with Middle East Political and Economic Institute […]
June 8, 2016
On the 2nd June 2016, Bucharest was the host of the International Conference “Fighting Terrorism for World Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection”, organized by MEPEI – […]
May 26, 2016
Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI), The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and EURISC Foundation request the pleasure of your company to attend […]
April 13, 2016
Event: Intensive courses Venue: Hotel Marshal Garden, Bucharest The date of the event: 18th April- 19th May 2016, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 17:00- 20:00 Organizer: Centre […]
September 8, 2015
A new crisis makes the headlines in Europe and worldwide nowadays, opening up the door for new questions and big divisions. The European media has been […]
June 30, 2015
As of present date, The Lebanese parliament has failed for the 25th time in a row to elect a president to replace Michel SULEIMAN whose term […]
May 7, 2015
Libya is one of the most critical flashpoints in the Mediterranean and the broader Middle East region. The consequences of its instability have already spread throughout […]
February 4, 2015
The latest attack in the Shebaa Farms claimed by Hezbollah was to be expected after the Israeli raid in the Syrian Golan Heights on January 18. […]
October 9, 2014
Francois Hollande supports Ankara’s initiative to form a buffer zone between Syria and Türkiye, and also to use military force not only to eliminate the Islamic […]
July 8, 2014
We submit to your attention the announcement for the International Summer School GEOPOLITICA, 6th edition, 2014- THE NEW DIMENSIONS OF ENERGY STRATEGY IN THE MENA REGION, […]
January 23, 2014
Notwithstanding the mediation efforts being exerted by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, the ongoing negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians will unlikely deliver a final […]
December 15, 2013
This paper aims to shed light on the diverse political landscape in Lebanon. Firstly, it dwells on the premises on which parties in Lebanon were founded, […]
July 24, 2013
“Middle East: Challenges and Certitudes” Summer School gives the opportunity to the participants to find out more about the politics of the key countries of the […]
February 9, 2013
Before, during, even after the election`s day, Jordan faced a crucial opportunity for the democratization process, even though elections are just an essential step not the […]
January 17, 2013
Middle East Political and Economic Institute (MEPEI) applied and received accreditation as International Observers Group for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections in Jordan scheduled to take place […]
January 3, 2013
Human rights and human security in the Middle East were subject of debate for so many international organizations, in the words of H.E. Asma Khader “security […]
November 21, 2012
After several months of debates The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has a new Election Law, a revived Independent Election Commission, and the vote was already set […]
September 30, 2011
Recently, deprivation and lack of satisfaction in the daily life of the population have generated waves of protests among Arab states in the Middle East. Nowadays, […]
April 11, 2011
In January, Syria’s president, Bashar Al-Assad, claimed in The Wall Street Journal that “you have to be very closely linked to the beliefs of the people.” […]
April 4, 2011
For more than a quarter century, Islamic banking and finance has been developing from an idea and an expression of Muslims’ distinct identity to a mature […]
March 30, 2011
More than a month and a half after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, and almost three weeks since I left Egypt, my Facebook page remains crammed […]
March 16, 2011
Demonstrators from the March 14 political bloc wore white baseball caps with the word ‘No’ emblazoned in red on them as they gathered in Martyr’s Square, […]
January 31, 2011
In the years to come, what will they say about what happened in January 2011? Will they say this month began a revolution that ousted dictators […]
January 11, 2011
“Do You Want To Go To Solidere?”: Architectural Reconstruction and Post-War Reconciliation in Beirut
At two decades after the end of the Lebanese Civil War, the reconstruction of Beirut’s downtown is approaching completion, with the opening in the last couple […]
January 3, 2011
Matilda Allen explains why trust between Lebanon’s citizens is essential for the state’s democracy to thrive. Strengthening and enhancing democracy in Lebanon is often seen as […]
December 28, 2010
Known as ‘The Martyrs’ Capital’ to Palestinians, Jenin Refugee Camp’s streets are lined with posters and awnings featuring somber portraits of the dead. It is an […]
December 21, 2010
After King Abdullah II dissolved Jordan’s Lower House through a Royal decree in November of last year, he entrusted the government with preparing for a new […]
November 2, 2010
Recognition of Israel as a Jewish state has become the most recent obstacle to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace process. After weeks of negotiations about an extension […]
August 16, 2010
Although, a very strong international consensus has emerged, over the past two decades, that the only practicable means of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a negotiated […]
August 2, 2010
The Arab world was abuzz with the news about the “historic” summit that took place in Lebanon, last week, featuring King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, President […]
August 1, 2010
The Kataeb Party has been described as a “builder, surrogate and defender of the [Lebanese] state”.[1] By detractors it was a “fascist” group whose ideology was […]
July 22, 2010
Moqtada Sadr arrived in Damascus this week taking time off from his clerical studies in the Iranian holy city of Qom in an effort to kick […]
July 12, 2010
Oil and energy concerns have featured prominently in security discussions in the Arab world, visibly floating on the surface of the region’s political agenda. Concerns about […]
July 5, 2010
There are 22 players certain agreed upon rules and a referee. Players can play all they want but they cannot score goals. If someone does score […]
June 28, 2010
Iraq is still without a government more than three months after Iraqi voters gave the secular Iraqiya slate of Iyad Allawi a narrow victory over the […]
June 20, 2010
Despite growing repression, democracy activists in the Middle East continue to push for change. As democracy activists working in one of the most repressive regions in […]
May 28, 2010
Shiite frustration with U.S. support in Iraq grew out of a failed uprising in the south following the first Gulf War. Shiites felt a Washington call […]
May 18, 2010
On Sunday April 25th, some 3,000 to 4,000 people showed up in downtown Beirut for a march demanding an end to sectarianism in Lebanon, carrying banners […]
May 4, 2010
“The essence behind the survival of nations is [social] justice and [citizen’s] dignity […] we will start a new chapter in Lebanese history by pursuing the […]
April 9, 2010
Despite the fact that the term political Islam has been used for many decades, it still often invokes looks of bewilderment, and intrigue, when mentioned in […]
March 30, 2010
On November 30, 2009, Hezbollah announced the release of a new comprehensive ideological and political platform, the 2009 Manifesto. Issued twenty-four years after the 1985 “Open […]
February 14, 2010
With international political relations now warming and a spate of top diplomatic emissaries having graced Damascus over the past 12 months, the Syrian economy is in […]
February 14, 2010
United States President Barack Obama’s decision to name Robert Ford, as the new ambassador to Syria, to fill a post that has been vacant since 2005 […]
December 9, 2009
Two things were unsurprising about Hezbollah’s political document, unveiled on November 30 by the party’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, namely its content and characterization in the […]
November 16, 2009
The following section addresses aspects of the rules of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), known as jus in bello, which govern the way each party to an […]
October 18, 2009
The parties that make up the Lebanese political system are the most Western in the Arab world. Though Lebanon still suffers under an antiquated legal system […]
October 3, 2009
Arab political discourse is characterized by cacophony and an utter absence of comprehensive analysis. Any attempt to systematically address or analyze the recurrent political crises and […]
October 3, 2009
A series of meetings around the world this week seems to herald the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between formerly sworn foes. Unfortunately, none […]
October 2, 2009
“A state cannot be constituted from any chance body of persons, or in any chance period of time” said Aristotle, and historical Lebanon is no exception. […]
October 1, 2009
Two Katyusha rockets were fired on Friday September 11, from southern Lebanon into northern Israel, prompting retaliatory artillery fire from the Israeli army. This incident, taking […]
September 29, 2009
The year 2009 is an indication of Lebanon’s potential and of the extent of economic growth and prosperity the country could enjoy in an environment of […]