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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 Marwa Baabbad 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 No prosperity without justice: the UK’s relationship with Iran
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
Iran in the South Caucasus: Adjustment and Evolution
Commentary, 26 February 2021
Emil Avdaliani
Iran’s position in the South Caucasus, a region it sees as a part of its historical interests, is coming under tremendous pressure. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War underlined the need for Tehran to rapidly adjust its approach in light of Turkey’s and Russia’s growing power.
Tags: Unpacking the MENA, Iran
On the Quest to Revive the Iran Nuclear Deal
Commentary, 23 February 2021
Adnan Tabatabai
As US officials engineer the reinstatement of the 2015 nuclear deal, they should pay particular attention to Iran’s expectations of this process.
Tags: Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iranian Nuclear Pathways, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
"Zarif’s comparison of Biden's approach to Trump's tactics on Iran is a signal of dissatisfaction with the pace and attitude of the Biden administration, said Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a Middle East security research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank.
“There was optimism that the Biden administration would have acted in a quicker manner when it comes to Iran,” Tabrizi said. “Instead, one month in, it only stated its readiness to participate in talks last week — and for talks to translate into something concrete, it will likely require some time.” "
Iran warns Biden as it pushes ahead with plan to cut nuclear inspections
In The News, 21 February 2021 Tags: Unpacking the MENA
Iran’s Shifting Nuclear Debate and the Shrinking Space for Diplomacy
Commentary, 16 February 2021
Azadeh Zamirirad
Diplomacy has only a narrow window of opportunity, as the nuclear debate inside Iran remains volatile.
Tags: Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iranian Nuclear Pathways, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Iran
"Aniseh Tabrizi, a senior research fellow and Iran expert at the Royal United Services Institute, agreed: “It’s reversible, especially if done in the short term,” she said of Iran’s uranium metal production. “There has been condemnation, but no signal that this is the end of any attempt to revive talks on the JCPOA.” "
Iran’s uranium metal production is ‘most serious nuclear step’ to date, but deal can still be saved
In The News, 16 February 2021 Tags: Unpacking the MENA
"Aniseh Tabrizi, a senior research fellow and Iran expert at the Royal United Services Institute, agreed.
“It’s reversible, especially if done in the short term,” she said of Iran’s uranium metal production. “There has been condemnation, but no signal that this is the end of any attempt to revive talks on the JCPOA.” "
Iran’s uranium metal production is ‘most serious nuclear step’ to date, but deal can still be saved
In The News, 16 February 2021 Tags: International Security Studies, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, Middle East and North AfricaPages
Iran in the South Caucasus: Adjustment and Evolution
Commentary, 26 February 2021Emil Avdaliani
Iran’s position in the South Caucasus, a region it sees as a part of its historical interests, is coming under tremendous pressure. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War underlined the need for Tehran to rapidly adjust its approach in light of Turkey’s and Russia’s growing power.
Unpacking the MENA, Iran
On the Quest to Revive the Iran Nuclear Deal
Commentary, 23 February 2021Adnan Tabatabai
As US officials engineer the reinstatement of the 2015 nuclear deal, they should pay particular attention to Iran’s expectations of this process.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iranian Nuclear Pathways, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy
Iran’s Shifting Nuclear Debate and the Shrinking Space for Diplomacy
Commentary, 16 February 2021Azadeh Zamirirad
Diplomacy has only a narrow window of opportunity, as the nuclear debate inside Iran remains volatile.
Iran's Nuclear Programme, Iranian Nuclear Pathways, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Iran
Yemen: Engaging, Not Isolating
Commentary, 25 January 2021Simona Ross and Stefan Wolff
Five years of war in Yemen have caused one of today’s worst man-made humanitarian crises. To resolve the conflict the Biden administration will have to grasp the nettle of subnational governance reform and be prepared to work with – not against – the Houthis in finding a sustainable political settlement.
United States, Unpacking the MENA, Middle East and North Africa
The Biden Presidency: What Role for the UK on Iran?
Commentary, 22 January 2021Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Darya Dolzikova and Tom Plant
UK and US policy towards Iran has diverged substantially in recent years, and both countries need to work hard to restore their partnership. The UK can do its part through a re-energised agenda on the Iran nuclear file, and towards Middle Eastern security more broadly.
Iranian Nuclear Pathways, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, UK Integrated Review 2021, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, UKPages
Europe Confronting a Darkening Geopolitical Landscape
Events, 16 March 2021How can Europe play a more effective foreign and security policy role in geopolitically important regions across the globe?
International Security Studies, Unpacking the MENA
Signs of Change in Turkish Foreign Policy?
Events, 5 March 2021Leading experts will examine Turkey’s challenges, as it seeks to navigate between its established alliances and partnerships and its aspirations to build new ties with emerging actors in order to...
Unpacking the MENA
The US and the Yemen Conflict – From Trump to Biden
Events, 22 February 2021This event will examine the legacy of the Trump administration’s policy towards Yemen, and its future direction under President Biden.
Unpacking the MENA
What Prospects for US-Iran Ties Under the Biden Administration? The View From Iran
Events, 17 February 2021Iranian experts offer their perspectives on what Tehran’s potential reactions could be to President Biden’s steps on the nuclear and regional front.
Unpacking the MENA
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 MENAPages
"Zarif’s comparison of Biden's approach to Trump's tactics on Iran is a signal of dissatisfaction with the pace and attitude of the Biden administration, said Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a Middle East security research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank. “There was optimism that the Biden administration would have acted in a quicker manner when it comes to Iran,” Tabrizi said. “Instead, one month in, it only stated its readiness to participate in talks last week — and for talks to translate into something concrete, it will likely require some time.”"
Iran warns Biden as it pushes ahead with plan to cut nuclear inspections
In The News, 21 February 2021 Tags: Unpacking the MENA
"Aniseh Tabrizi, a senior research fellow and Iran expert at the Royal United Services Institute, agreed: “It’s reversible, especially if done in the short term,” she said of Iran’s uranium metal production. “There has been condemnation, but no signal that this is the end of any attempt to revive talks on the JCPOA.”"
Iran’s uranium metal production is ‘most serious nuclear step’ to date, but deal can still be saved
In The News, 16 February 2021 Tags: Unpacking the MENA
"Aniseh Tabrizi, a senior research fellow and Iran expert at the Royal United Services Institute, agreed. “It’s reversible, especially if done in the short term,” she said of Iran’s uranium metal production. “There has been condemnation, but no signal that this is the end of any attempt to revive talks on the JCPOA.”"
Iran’s uranium metal production is ‘most serious nuclear step’ to date, but deal can still be saved
In The News, 16 February 2021 Tags: International Security Studies, Unpacking the MENA, Iran, Middle East and North Africa
"Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that the US move followed a similar decision by Italy at the end of January. “All this builds up pressure on the UK to reconsider its own position, but it is unclear if will be enough to force a change in policy,” she said."
UK urged to follow US in restricting arms sales to Saudi Arabia
In The News, 5 February 2021 Tags: International Security Studies, United States, Unpacking the MENA, Americas, UK, Europe
"Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that the UK is well placed “to convince the US that, without incentives in the form of sanction relief or a face-saving exit strategy, Iran is unlikely to cave in to pressure” and stressed the mediatory role the UK could play between the E3 and the US."
Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi provides evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on the UK's relationship with Iran
In The News, 16 December 2020 Tags: International Security Studies, Unpacking the MENA, Iran
Iran in the South Caucasus: Adjustment and Evolution
Rose Roth, language and youth
The Politics of UK Accession to Pacific Free Trade Club