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Work in the programme focuses on four areas.
INSIDE THE MENA tracks how domestic developments are shaping military and wider security dynamics, including political, social and economic aspects.
GEOPOLITICS OF THE MENA provides monitoring of the various sources of instability and conflict flashpoints and offers assessments of emerging tensions and shifting alliances in the region.
EMERGING SECURITY THREATS is focused on key violent non-state actors as well as how new technologies are reshaping proxy competition and influence in the region.
DRIVERS AND OUTCOMES OF CONFLICT identifies policies and strategies to improve governance and stability within the countries in the region, and the role that local and international actors can play to mitigate the risk of new conflicts.
These themes are explored through events that bring together policy makers and experts from across the region and beyond, together with a series of publications which outline scenarios and potential solutions to the emerging security challenges.
Programme Team |
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Dr Aniseh Bassiri-Tabrizi Tobias Borck Dr Antonio Giustozzi Dr H A Hellyer Clovis Meath Baker CMG OBE |
Dr Ziya Meral Alison Pargeter Professor Gareth Stansfield Michael Stephens . |
Related Projects |
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Iran's foreign policy and implications for the EU and UKThis strand of work aims at establishing a better understanding of Tehran's ultimate ambitions in different dossiers, as well as identify the ways by which the E3 (the UK, France and Germany) and the EU can best achieve their strategic goals on Iran. Drawing on a series of interviews and workshops with practitioners and experts, the research identifies the challenges facing Europe in regard to its Iran strategy and also points to where the opportunities for making progress on the agenda lie. Selected outputs: State of play of EU-Iran relations and the future of the JCPOA Written and Oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on UK and Iran The Integrated Review: The UK’s Iran Policy in a Changing Global Security Environment Better together: The E3 policy on Iran Iran and the West after the Nuclear deal Understanding Iran's Role in the Syrian Conflict Challenges to stabilisation and governance in and towards the regionProjects in this section look at the challenges faced by specific governments in the region, but also international actors operating in the MENA, when it comes to stabilisation and governance, look at the drivers of conflict and identify ways for local, regional and international players to address these challenges and drivers. Selected outputs: UK strategy on Protection of civilians Radicalization in the Marginalized Regions of Tunisia: Addressing the Root Causes Ensuring the Protection of Civilians in Modern Conflict New Emerging Trends to an Age-Old Challenge: Stable Governance in Northern Iraq Challenges to Stabilisation in Iraq after the Mosul Operation Proliferation of armed drones in the Middle EastThis project aimed at contributing to the existing knowledge base on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) proliferation and its broader implications in terms of practices and ethical considerations when it comes to the countries in the Middle East. Armed Drones in the Middle East |
ISS Newsletter |
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Contacts
"Will Joe Biden, who takes office in January, return to the status quo ante? Given the passage of time and divided state of American politics, can he?
"The strategy is very, very clear," says Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, an Iran expert at London's Royal United Services Institute (Rusi). "But it won't be easy."
"
After Trump, what will Biden do about Iran?
In The News, 18 November 2020 Tags: International Security Studies, Unpacking the MENA, Iran
The Impact of a Biden Presidency on the Middle East and North Africa
Commentary, 13 November 2020
Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Antonio Giustozzi, Michael Stephens, H A Hellyer and Tobias Borck
Our analysts and associate fellows look at what awaits the Biden presidency in the region.
Tags: International Security Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Middle East and North Africa
The Implications of the US Elections on the Iranian Nuclear File, and the Likely Positioning of the UK
Commentary, 2 November 2020
Alistair Burt
The hard work lies ahead in re-engaging with the US in handling Iran.
Tags: Iranian Nuclear Pathways, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, UK
Iran and the US: The Long and Arduous Diplomatic Road
Commentary, 30 October 2020
Vali Nasr
Although a potential Biden presidency has been explicit about how it wishes to engage with Iran, its choices are far from straightforward.
Tags: Iranian Nuclear Pathways, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), spearheaded by the European Union (EU), was a successful multilateral non-proliferation agreement. The hope was that it would also pave the way for dealing with other outstanding issues over which the EU and United States (US) were at loggerheads with Iran. Instead, with the election of President Trump, the main focus has been to save the JCPOA. As Iran has decreased its compliance with the deal and regional friction has intensified, particularly as a result of the US maximum pressure campaign, the EU has faced increasing challenges to maintain a working relationship with Tehran and to pursue its strategic objectives on Iran – a tall order even in more conducive circumstances. While the outcome of the US presidential elections in November 2020 will affect developments thereafter, the EU should shape its policy independent of a rturn to constructive multilateralism in Washington. It must further develop its strategic autonomy, enhance and expand its interaction with Tehran to ensure the JCPOA’s survival, while also taking a more proactive role in mitigating and mediating conflicts in the region. "
State of play of EU-Iran relations and the future of the JCPOA
In The News, 30 October 2020 Tags: Unpacking the MENA
Libya: Prospects for Peace
Commentary, 30 October 2020
Alison Pargeter
A UN-sponsored political dialogue on Libya’s future has begun. Although clearly a positive step, it is unlikely to provide the solution to peace.
Tags: Unpacking the MENA, LibyaPages
The Impact of a Biden Presidency on the Middle East and North Africa
Commentary, 13 November 2020Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Antonio Giustozzi, Michael Stephens, H A Hellyer and Tobias Borck
Our analysts and associate fellows look at what awaits the Biden presidency in the region.
International Security Studies, Iran's Nuclear Programme, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Middle East and North Africa
The Implications of the US Elections on the Iranian Nuclear File, and the Likely Positioning of the UK
Commentary, 2 November 2020Alistair Burt
The hard work lies ahead in re-engaging with the US in handling Iran.
Iranian Nuclear Pathways, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, UK
Iran and the US: The Long and Arduous Diplomatic Road
Commentary, 30 October 2020Vali Nasr
Although a potential Biden presidency has been explicit about how it wishes to engage with Iran, its choices are far from straightforward.
Iranian Nuclear Pathways, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Libya: Prospects for Peace
Commentary, 30 October 2020Alison Pargeter
A UN-sponsored political dialogue on Libya’s future has begun. Although clearly a positive step, it is unlikely to provide the solution to peace.
Unpacking the MENA, Libya
Kuwait’s Leadership Change Leaves More Question Marks for the Gulf Cooperation Council
Commentary, 14 October 2020Michael Stephens
The death of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah after a 14-year reign might have passed under the radar of the casual Middle East observer, but it marks an important milestone in the history of Arab and Gulf affairs.
Unpacking the MENA, The Gulf RegionPages
The Incoming Biden Administration: Views from Iran
Events, 16 November 2020Iranian experts offer their perspective on the incoming Biden administration after four tumultuous years under the leadership of Donald Trump.
Unpacking the MENA
Impact of the US elections on the MENA
Events, 11 November 2020This webinar explores the reactions to and implications for the MENA region of the US elections.
Unpacking the MENA
Transatlantic Relations on Iran After the US Elections
Events, 30 October 2020This webinar discussed the prospects of enhancing US-European cooperation on Iran after the US presidential election.
Unpacking the MENA
A conversation with H E Fuad Hussein and H E Juma Anad Saadoun Al-Juburi
Events, 21 October 2020Discussion with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and Defence Minister of Iraq.
Unpacking the MENA
The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict and the Risk of Regional War
Events, 2 October 2020The webinar examined the conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, explore the implications of the recent return to fighting, and consider the risks of regional escalation around the...
International Security Studies, Russia in the World, Unpacking the MENA
"Will Joe Biden, who takes office in January, return to the status quo ante? Given the passage of time and divided state of American politics, can he? "The strategy is very, very clear," says Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, an Iran expert at London's Royal United Services Institute (Rusi). "But it won't be easy." "
After Trump, what will Biden do about Iran?
In The News, 18 November 2020 Tags: International Security Studies, Unpacking the MENA, Iran
"The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), spearheaded by the European Union (EU), was a successful multilateral non-proliferation agreement. The hope was that it would also pave the way for dealing with other outstanding issues over which the EU and United States (US) were at loggerheads with Iran. Instead, with the election of President Trump, the main focus has been to save the JCPOA. As Iran has decreased its compliance with the deal and regional friction has intensified, particularly as a result of the US maximum pressure campaign, the EU has faced increasing challenges to maintain a working relationship with Tehran and to pursue its strategic objectives on Iran – a tall order even in more conducive circumstances. While the outcome of the US presidential elections in November 2020 will affect developments thereafter, the EU should shape its policy independent of a rturn to constructive multilateralism in Washington. It must further develop its strategic autonomy, enhance and expand its interaction with Tehran to ensure the JCPOA’s survival, while also taking a more proactive role in mitigating and mediating conflicts in the region."
State of play of EU-Iran relations and the future of the JCPOA
In The News, 30 October 2020 Tags: Unpacking the MENA
Episode Five: New Technologies, Old Methods in Terrorism Financing
Episode Six: FATF’s Strategic Review
Saudi Arabia and International Summitry: Hard Try, and Harder Times Ahead