THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST

This panel discussion will explore Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its immediate impact in the Middle East region. Not only has the economic shock caused by the conflict been felt throughout the region, especially in aid-dependent Yemen, but it has also raised serious questions about US influence in the region. The reluctance of the United States and Europe to directly confront the Russian violation of the sovereignty of an ally has likely caused regional leaders to question whether the US would intervene in a similar conflict in the Middle East. Already this has affected the course of the nuclear negotiations with Iran as well as the attempt by Israel, once a stalwart of American policy in the region, to present itself as a neutral country in the Ukraine War. Coupled with Russia’s military presence and China’s strengthening of relations with several countries (especially in the Gulf, but also Turkey, Iran, and Syria), the future for Western leadership in the region looks shaky.

KEY QUESTIONS:

• What is next for US leadership in the region?

• What are the implications of oil and gas price hikes for the region?

• How does the Russian invasion of Ukraine impact authoritarianism?

• How is the Iran nuclear deal affected by the war?

DETAILS

Register: via Zoom to receive panel discussion details and access link.

When: Monday, 2 May 2022 | 5:00–6:30 pm AEST

London: 08:00–9:30 am

Doha: 10:00–11:30 am

Tehran: 11:30–13:00 pm

Where: panel discussion via Zoom

After some discussion between the panellists, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panel.

Speaker details below.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Prof. Sadegh Zibakalam

Prof. Sadegh Zibakalam is a professor of political science at the University of Tehran, and one of the most prominent public intellectuals and political analysts in the country. He is the author of a number of bestsellers in Persian, including How Did We Become What We Are, Hashemi without Polish, Tradition and Modernity, and An Introduction to the Islamic Revolution.

A/Prof. Nikolay Kozhanov

A/Prof. Nikolay Kozhanov is a Research Associate Professor at the Gulf Studies Center of Qatar University. His research focuses on the geopolitics of Gulf energy, Russian foreign policy in the Middle East, as well as Iran’s economy and international relations. Dr. Kozhanov has been a visiting fellow at a number of leading international think-tanks including Chatham House, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and Carnegie Moscow Center. Nikolay holds a PhD in international economics and economic security from St. Petersburg State University (2010).

A/Prof. Anicée Van Engeland

A/Prof. Anicée Van Engeland is an Associate Professor of international security and law at Cranfield University. Anicée’s main areas of research and practice are human rights law and humanitarian law with a focus on the Muslim work and an expertise in Iranian affairs. Anicée works on principles of international law and governance to accommodate cultural and religious specificities. Dr Van Engeland advises, trains and debriefs NGOs and international organisations’ staff. She also trains the armed forces and civil servants in the UK and around the world.

MIDDLE EAST STUDIES FORUM (MESF)

The Middle East Studies Forum (MESF) is a dedicated research and teaching network hosted at the Alfred Deakin Institute at Deakin University.