Events

The states of West Asia and North Africa (WANA) continue to grapple with dramatic changes taking place in the domestic and regional environment. Security has emerged as a significant concern. The political upheavals, civil strife, sectarian violence, and terrorism in the area have implications for the regional and global order. As the region grapples with myriad socio-economic problems, many extra-regional players and non-state actors, and a few regional ones, are attempting to carve out their own areas of influence. These developments across WANA demand constant monitoring, careful analyses and more frequent exchanges among the members of the strategic community to chart a course towards enduring regional and global security.

The breakdown of the central authority in states such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya followed by tumultuous civil wars underscores the volatility that post-‘Arab Spring’ West Asian states suffer from. Further, the transnational nature of ‘third generation’ Islamist terrorism, its regional potency and global reach underline the fragility WANA endures. The 2003 United States attack on Iraq and the security vacuum it created in the country were filled by sectarian militias that took advantage of the 2011 uprising in the neighbouring countries and expanded their activities, especially taking control of territories in Syria and Iraq. Islamist terrorism has become a potent and destructive regional threat that stands against all global, regional and local players. The terrorists, in their most gory manifestation, have regrouped as the Islamic State (IS) or Da’esh, which in 2014-15 threatened to reorient regional boundaries and established a khilafah in the Levant. Though militarily defeated, the ISIS remains a potent threat. Its ability to continue inspiring lone-wolf attacks and attract youth from across the globe continues to be a major security threat for all countries. More importantly, the ISIS has metamorphosed into a ‘cyber-Caliphate’ through which it inspired lone-wolf attacks in Europe, the United States and other parts of the world.

The present state of regional disarray has led to a new power dynamic, whereby the role of the United States as the predominant force for security and stability is being challenged by a combination of other powers — a renascent Russia, a resurgent Iran, and economically influential China. The reluctance of the Obama administration to fight regional wars and its indecisiveness in dealing with emergent situations, especially in Syria and Iraq, created a void. The Trump administration has promised to change the American policy but a clear picture remains elusive. Russia and Iran have backed the Syrian regime which has reassured and strengthened its position, but has undermined the role of many regional players, especially the Gulf monarchies led by Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Likewise, it has made Israel uncomfortable due to its extreme sensitivity of Iranian rise and its national security. This has created a complex web of alignments and realignments between regional, international and non-state actors, including fissures among the Gulf Cooperation Council States.

For one, Turkey under Erdogan has locked horns with the United States over the latter’s policy to continue supporting Syrian Kurds and is seen to be courting Russia. Similarly, the concern over growing Iranian influence in the region has brought Arab Gulf states and Israel closer without any formal acknowledgement. Egypt, while continuing to face internal disturbances, has engaged with both the United States and Russia to contain the effects of the Libyan crisis from spilling over to the whole of Maghreb. The impact of terrorism and the refugee crisis in Europe, both originating from WANA, and the response by European society and leadership to these threats, open newer dynamics in global and regional politics and threatens to revive older fault lines between Turkey and Europe. With civil wars in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Libya emerging major theatres of conflict, the entire region has been adversely affected by the regional tumult.

The Russian involvement in Syria and ability to alter the power dynamics back in favour of the regime has made it a de facto regional player. Regional heavyweights in Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt have been playing major roles in conflicts in more than one country. While the entry of Russia is notable, the rise of the Kurds and a resurgent Kurdish nationalism, especially in Iraq and Syria and its impact on regional politics is significant. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq is weighing its chances about pushing for larger autonomy while Syrian Kurds have received significant United States backing in carving out a de facto autonomous region of Rojava in northern Syria. Kurdish militias have proved to be a major force in fighting the ISIS and in return are looking to claim stakes for the establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in Syria. This has unnerved Turkey which is struggling with a resurgent PKK (Kurdish: Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan) at home and hence has intervened militarily in northern Syria to prevent Syrian Kurds from achieving Iraq like autonomy.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in rivalry. Iran has significantly enhanced its footprints through allies and powerful non-state actors such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Ansarallah (Houthi militia in Yemen) and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has been vocal in condemning Iran for regional turmoil. The formation of the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT), an intergovernmental counter-terrorist alliance of 41 Sunni countries led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a significant development with possibly far-reaching implications. Among some independent observers, this Sunni grouping of militaries is viewed to be as much a front against terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda, as it is against the growing Shiite ascendance in the region, led by Iran. The mainly geopolitical rivalry has been punctuated by deeply entrenched sectarian animosity, through proxies in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Though the Trump administration is yet to unveil any comprehensive foreign policy, its focus on the Middle East peace process and the choice of Saudi Arabia and Israel for President Trump’s first foreign trip gives indications about its priorities. It would nevertheless require a significant effort to be able to deliver even a partial resolution. But the fact that the Trump administration is focusing on the issue underlines the significance it attaches to it. In the given circumstances, one does not see any major breakthrough in the foreseeable future. However, global efforts towards resumption of the talks might yield some results. A lot will also depend on the Russian moves and its ability to sustain its current level of involvement in a complex region without getting drained and entangled in the convoluted regional conflicts.

Amidst these developments, the role of militaries and their relations with various regimes has been crucial in determining the stability and integrity of several states and is an important facet of regional security that necessitates deeper analyses and insight. Similarly, the role of international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, UNHCR, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Arab League, the International Red Cross, etc. goes largely unnoticed. The conflict-ridden areas of WANA from Syria, Iraq, and Libya to Yemen have put a strain on these organizations in working constructively for conflict resolution and crisis mitigating therein.

India has expressed its concerns about recent developments taking place in the region. The spread of IS remains a major worry with some Indian youths having joined the IS. The execution of some Indian citizens by the ISIS in Iraq is also a matter of concern for India. It has huge stakes in the region because of its energy dependence, increasing trade and commerce, as also the safety of around 8.5 million Indian expatriates and workers. With the large Indian expatriate population in the GCC alone, deep human links exist between the two sides. The sovereign wealth funds of these countries are already investing in India’s infrastructure sector. Trade relations and security partnerships particularly in counter terrorism are other facets of cooperation between India and several states of the region. However, there is ample scope for strengthening ties and taking relations to higher levels, even as India walks a diplomatic tightrope in a highly fractious regional setting. Predominantly, India has links with the Gulf but rising security concerns have created a situation where it cannot remain indifferent. Hence, India has intensified its engagements with the region and has kept a neutral stance on complex regional issues while being sensitive to threats emanating from terrorism.

In the light of the foregoing, IDSA proposes to organise the Third West Asia Conference in September 2018 to deliberate upon the above mentioned issues and emerging trends. An important reason for organising this international conference is to get the views of experts, officials and researchers from the region, which is also a part of the Institute’s outreach activity with the think tanks based in the WANA region. The conference proposes to discuss, and analyse the emergent security dynamics in the region, the responses of the regional and international players, and its implication for global politics. The challenges likely to be faced by India due to the plausible political, economic, and security scenarios in the region, and India’s priorities and lessons for its foreign policy will be discussed during the conference along with the likely future trends and prospects for the region, security challenges, and their possible solutions.

Some of the questions to be addressed in the three-day conference include the following:

1. What are the emergent security dynamics in the West Asia & North Africa region and what are their regional and global implications?
2. What are the challenges emerging from major security threats, namely Islamist terrorism and its future, and the raging civil wars and conflicts and their possible resolution?
3. What has been the role of militaries in regime security and how does this impact the regional and international responses? How have regional and international players and organisations responded to the changing regional security dynamics?
4. What are India’s stakes, what has been its response, and what are the lessons to be learnt in formulating its policy towards the region?

Session Themes

Day – I September 5, 2018

1000– 1100hrs Inaugural and Keynote
The first session will reflect on the theme of the conference.


1115 – 1200hrs

Session I: Changing Regional Dynamics in West Asia and North Africa: An Overview

The session will closely examine the changing security paradigm in West Asia and North Africa and discuss the developments in regional dynamics and its future implications. The session will outline the framework for deliberations over the next two days.


1200 – 1330hrs

Sessions II:  The Challenges of Transnational Terrorism: Origin, Developments and Prognosis

The most significant security threat engulfing the region and threatening the whole world is the rise of terrorism. It has not only destabilised the region but has spread its tentacles to the whole world with serious security implications America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. The sessions will reflect on the phenomenon of radicalisation, extremism and the rise of global terrorism.


1330-1430hrs Lunch


Session III - Confrontation and Conflicts in West Asia: Role of Regional Powers

Confrontation and conflicts in many parts of the region has caused serious instability, loss of lives, and humanitarian crisis.  Regional and international efforts towards finding a solution have been ineffective. The session will reflect on role of the regional powers and deliberate on the causes, courses, and possible resolutions of these conflicts. Divided into two parts, the session will discuss the roles of regional players including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey and Egypt.


1430 -1600hrs

Part – A: Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt


1615 – 1745hrs

Part –B: Israel, Turkey and Others


Day – II September 6, 2018

1000-1130hrs.

Session IV: Role of Big Powers: United States, Russia and Europe

As international players seek to expand their influence and extend their interests, they inadvertently step on the sovereignty of others. The WANA region has been a victim of extra-regional involvement and global power dynamics. It continues to suffer from the problem as extra-regional players jostle to preserve and extend their spheres of influence, in the process worsening the security situation. This session will examine the emerging United States approach to the West Asian region, Russia’s re-entry in the region, and European perception and its role 


1145-1330hrs

Session V:  Emerging Socio-Economic Challenges

This session seeks to closely examine the implication of fall of oil prices and development of new economic policies by the producing countries. The regional countries are confronted with major socio-economic challenges. To address these new challenges, each country is responding by introducing their distinct visions and plans for the future. The session will attempt to explore whether in this context, West Asia is moving towards a ‘new social contract’?


1330-1430 Lunch


1430 -1600hrs

Session VI: India and WANA: Building Partnerships and Managing Challenges

India has significant stakes in the region. Despite maintaining a safe-distance from the crises, it has been directly affected because of the security threats emanating from the region. This has made it impossible for it to maintain a “hands-off” policy, reflected currently in New Delhi’s intensification of engagements with regional powers. The session will consider India’s stakes in the region, policy choices and the lessons learnt from the evolving situation and its future.


1600-1750hrs

Session VII: Panel Discussion: Security and Stability in WANA: The Way Forward

The final session will round up the takeaways from the conference, providing policy recommendations for future.

Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad Talmiz Ahmad joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1974. Early in his career, he was posted in a number of West Asian countries such as Kuwait, Iraq and Yemen and later. From 1987-90, he was Consul General in Jeddah. He also held positions in the Indian missions in New York, London and Pretoria. He was Joint Secretary for Gulf and Hajj in 1998-2000. He served as Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia twice (2000-03; 2010-11); Oman (2003-04), and the UAE (2007-10). He was also Additional Secretary for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2004-06, and Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi, in 2006-07. In July 2011, the Saudi Government conferred on him the King Abdul Aziz Medal First Class for his contribution to the promotion of Indo – Saudi relations. After retirement from Foreign Service in 2011, he worked in the corporate sector in Dubai for four years. He is now a full-time academic and holds the Ram Sathe Chair in International Studies, Symbiosis International University, Pune. He has published three books: Reform in the Arab World: External Influences and Regional Debates (2005), Children of Abraham at War: The Clash of Messianic Militarisms (2010) and The Islamist Challenge in West Asia: Doctrinal and Political Competitions after the Arab Spring (2013). He writes regularly in the Indian and West Asian media and lectures on political Islam, the politics of West Asia and the Indian Ocean, and energy security issues.

H. E. President Amine Gemayel Amine Gemayel served as president of the Lebanese Republic between 1982 and 1988. He obtained a law degree from the French Faculty of Law at Saint Joseph University in 1965. In 1970 he was elected as a member of the National Assembly and served as MP till his election to the presidency. Apart from his political activities, President Amine Gemayel established in 1975 the French daily “Le Réveil” and in 1976 La “Maison du Futur” (MdF), a think tank with focus on Lebanese and Middle Eastern issues including the Arab Israeli conflict. He still the chairman and ceo of MdF. After his term in office ended in September 23rd 1988, he joined the Center for International Affairs (Harvard University) till 1991. He afterward lectured at universities, research centers and political clubs on various topics tackling problems of contemporary societies. From 1999 till 2000, he joined the University of Maryland, College Park as distinguished visiting professor. Between 2001 and 2004 he joined Jean Monet faculty at Paris XI   University as professor. In 2005 he was elected president for the Kataëb Party. In 2012 he was elected as vice President of the International Centrist Democratic Parties (IDC- CDI). In 2017 he joined the Council of Arabic and International Relations, based in Kuwait. His publications include “Peace and Unity”, (Colin and Smythe, 1986), “L’Offense et le Pardon”, (Gallimard, 1988), “Al-Rihan al-kabir”, (Dar Annahar, 1988), “Meditations d’espoir”, (Jean Claude Lattès, 1990), “Rebuilding Lebanon” Published in English, Arabic and French (Harvard University Press, 1992)

Dr. Seyed Kazem Sajjadpour Dr Seyed Mohammad Kazem Sajjadpour was Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative for the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations. Prior to this, he was the Director of the Institute for Political and International Studies, the research branch of Iran's foreign ministry. Dr Sajjadpour received his PhD in political science from George Washington University and was a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard. He has taught at the College of International Relations of Tehran University, Azad University and Iran's National Defense University. He was a Professor of International Relations and the Chairman of the Department of Diplomacy and International Organizations of School of International Relations. He acted as Editor in Chief of Iranian Review of Foreign Affairs and was President of Iranian Political Science Association. He has been Advisor to the Minister Foreign Affairs on Strategic Issues, 2013-2016, Ambassador of Iran to the United Nation in Geneva, 2003-2004, Director General of Institute for Political & International Studies (IPIS), 1999-2003.

Dr. Haytham Mouzahem Dr. Mouzahem is the Director of Beirut Center for Middle East Studies and Editor in Chief of The Levant News site. He is also an analyst and researcher in Middle East and Islamic affairs and has written six books and several articles and chapters. He worked as a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies and Research and Documentation in Beirut (1992-1998) he then worked as an editor writer and correspondent for Beirut’s al-Mustaqbal newspaper (1999-2005) before moving to the Emirati al-Bayan newspaper (2005-2006) as editor writer and correspondent. In the Spring of 2006 he joined the Ministry of Presidential Affairs where he worked as a researcher and analyst in the media affairs department until July 2009. In April 2010 he became editor-in-chief of Iraq Today magazine in Beirut and in October of the same year was named managing editor of al-Ittihad news channel. His books include Israel Labor Party (1968-1999) published in Arabic by the Emirates Center for Studies and Strategic Studies in Abu Dhabi in 2001,  The Evolution of the Marja`iya in Twelver Shi`ism and The Current Shi`a Political Theories: From the Wilayat of the Jurist to the Wilayat of the Nation. He coordinated and participated in the two books on Iran that were published in May 2011 by al-Misbar Center for Studies and Research in Dubai. He also has participated in the translation of a number of books and studies most notably The Syrian-Israeli Negotiations published by the Bahith Center for Studies in Beirut in 2001 and Graham Fuller’s book Iraq in the Next Decade: Will Iraq Survive Until 2002?published by the Emirates Center for Research and Strategic Studies in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Abdelhamid Abdeljaber        Dr.Abdeljaber is a Lecturer in Department of Political Science, Rutgers University in the United States. He is also the Bureau Chief at the United Nations for Arabic Daily Alquds AlArabi since 2014. He has a PhD in International Relations from City University of New York and a Masters in Political Science and International Relations from New York University. He spent a significant time in his career in the United Nations. Between 1980 and 2006 he worked in various capacities at the United Nations Head Quarter in New York as well as its missions in various countries in the Middle East. As part of his career in the UN, he was part of several international missions including Former Czechoslovakia (1985), Libya(1992-1999), Eritrea/Ethiopia (1993), Western Sahara (1995), Israel/Palestine (1996, 1998, 2000), South Africa (2001, 2002), Botswana (2002), Pakistan /Afghanistan (2001), Iraq (1997, 20003), Lebanon (2004), China (2004), Tunisia (2005), Algeria (2006, Geneva - several missions (1992-2002). He is the author of the book Thalika Al-Yawm Al-Aseeb (That Unforgettable Day) that commemorates the attack on UN Headquarters in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, in which 22 of his colleagues were killed and he survived miraculously. He regularly writes and comments in the Arabic and English media on Middle Eastern issues.

Dr. Nada M. Ibrahim Al-Jubouri Dr. Nada Al-jubouri is a former member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. She has also served as member in the Foreign Affair Committee, member of the woman & family Committee. She is a Specialist doctor in Intensive Care and Anaesthesiology and founder member of Iraqi Woman and Future of which she has been a president since 2005.The Iraqi Woman and Future is a non-governmental, non-profit and independent organization which works on projects with the international and local organizations on issues related to violence against women and gender equality and provides free legal room for widows and victims of violence. She started her medical career with the Iraqi Ministry of Health in 1984. She is member of several Iraqi and international organizations working in the field of women and child welfare.

Ambassador Seyed Hossein Mousavian Seyed Hossein Mousavian is a former Diplomat and Visiting Research Scholar at Princeton University. He is a Middle East Security and Nuclear Policy Specialist at the Program on Science and Global Security. He is a former diplomat who served as Iran’s Ambassador to Germany (1990-1997), Head of the Foreign Relations Committee of Iran’s National Security Council (1997-2005), Spokesman for Iran in its nuclear negotiations with the international community (2003-2005), Foreign Policy Advisor to the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (2005-2007), Vice President of the Center for Strategic Research for International Affairs (2005-2009), General Director of Foreign Ministry for West Europe (1987-1990), Chief of Parliament Administration (1984-1986) and the editor-in-chief of the English-language international newspaper Tehran Times (1980-1990). Mousavian earned a PhD in international relations from the University of Kent in the U.K. His research focuses on exploring pathways for diplomacy between Iran and the United States and maintaining and building on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Mousavian is the author of The Iranian Nuclear Crisis: A Memoir (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2012) and several other books on Iranian foreign policy. His latest book, Iran and the United States: An Insider’s view on the Failed Past and the Road to Peace was published by Bloomsbury Publishers in May 2014.

Dr. Awadh Al-Badi   Awadh Al-Badi, Ph.D.   Advisor and Senior Scholar at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Director of Research at the same Center (1999-2010); Lecturer and faculty Member at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia; His research and publications focuses on diplomatic history of the Middle East, international and regional politics, regional Security, and Saudi Arabia foreign policy.

Dr. Badra Gaaloul Dr. Badra Galoul is President International Center for Strategic, Security and Military Studies, Tunisia. She has a PhD in Military sociology From the University of Human and Social Sciences, Tunis and had previously taught at various military schools in Tunisia including Aviation School Borj Amri, Military Academy FondekE’Jedid and Naval Academy Manzel Bourguiba. She has also taught course in social psychology and communication technique in civil institutions and served in various research capacities in organizations including International Migration Organization, Tunisian Observatory for Global Security, National Union of Tunisian security Forces and center of the Mediterranean and International Studies

Professor Dan Schueftan Dr. Dan Schueftan is the Director of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa, the Director of the International Graduate Program in National Security at that university, a Visiting Professor (2012-2014) at the Department of Government at Georgetown University in Washington DC and a lecturer at the Israel Defense Forces National Defense College. For the last four decades he has been a consultant to Israeli decision makers and to the top echelon of Israel's Prime Minister's Office, Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, the IDF and The National Security Council. Since the mid-1970s, Dr.Schueftan has been briefing Members and staffers of the US Congress, as well as top professionals and key political appointees in the executive branch. In Europe he has been briefing ministers, parliamentarians, political leaders, senior officers, defense and intelligence officials and government advisors. He regularly lectures at leading universities, research centers and think-tanks in the United States, Europe and East Asia and is a regular source and interviewee on the Middle East for the major media in Israel, the Arab world, Europe, and North America. Dr. Schueftan has published extensively on contemporary Middle Eastern history, with emphasis on Arab-Israeli relations, Inter-Arab politics and American policy in the Middle East. His books cover a wide variety of topics:  A Jordanian Option - Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians (1986); Attrition: Egypt's Post War Political Strategy 1967-1970(1989); Disengagement -Israel and the Palestinian Entity (1999). This last book, advocating unilateral disengagement, had a considerable effect on Israeli policy makers. Dr. Schueftan’s recent books are Palestinians in Israel - the Arab Minority and the Jewish State (2011) and The Israel-Arab Reader – A Documentary History of the Middle East Conflict (co-edited with Walter Laqueur, 2016).

Professor Mustafa Aydin Prof Dr Mustafa Aydın is the Rector of Kadir Has University (Istanbul) since February 2010, and the President of the International Relations Council of Turkey since 2004. He is also Governing Board Member of the OECD International Management of Higher Education Programme, and member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, as well as the European Leadership Network. Professor Aydin previously worked at Ankara University (1994-2005) and Economy and Technology University (2005-2009); and was guest researcher/lecturer at Michigan (1998), Harvard (2002, Fulbright fellow), and Athens (2003, Onassis Fellow) universities, as well as Richardson Institute for Peace Studies (1999, UNESCO Fellow) and the EU Institute for Security Studies (2003). He is a member of Global Relations Forum (GIF), International Studies Association (ISA), Turkish Atlantic Council, Turkish Political Sciences Association, International Network on Regional Security, and the European Society for Central Asian Studies (ESCAS). He was member of Economy and Foreign Policy Study Group of the President of Turkey (2003-2009), Co-Coordinator of the International Commission on Black Sea (2010); and Director of International Policy Research Institute (2005-2011). Prof. Aydın’s areas of interest are international politics, foreign policy analysis, Eurasian security and geopolitics, politics of the Black Sea and the Middle East, as well as Turkish foreign and security policies.

Dr. JinLiangxiang Dr. Jin Liangxiang, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow at the Center for West Asian and African Studies and Senior Research Fellow with Institute for International Strategic Studies, SIIS. He is specialized in the Middle Eastern international relations, and is particularly engaged in the field of Iran’s foreign policy and domestic politics. He has also conducted some research on international relations on China’s neighboring areas. He has visited more than 20 countries and regions, most of which are Middle East countries and China’s neighboring countries. He has been a frequent visitor of numerous influential academic institutions and conferences. He was a visiting fellow of the Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace (2002-2003), Fredrich Ebert Stiftung New York Office (2006), the Baker Institute (2011) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) of the U.S. (2013). He is the author of the book “On the Domestic Sources of Iran’s Foreign Policy” (2015). He has written more than twenty academic papers on Middle Eastern studies, most of which are about Iran. He is also a frequent writer in English for www.china.org,cn and China-U.S. Focus. Some of his English articles are available at the following linkage.

Dr. Prasanta Kumar Pradhan Dr. Prasanta Kumar Pradhan is an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi. He holds a doctorate degree from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Since joining IDSA, he has been researching on foreign policy, security and strategic issues in West Asia, and India’s relationship with West Asia and the wider Arab world. He is the author of the book Arab Spring and Sectarian Fault lines in West Asia: Bahrain, Yemen and Syria, monograph India’s Relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council: Need to Look beyond Business, and has edited Geopolitical Shifts in West Asia: Trends and Implications. He has also published articles in reputed journals and contributed articles to several edited volumes on West Asia.

Jeffrey S. Payne Jeffrey Payne is Research Fellow/Academic Affairs Manager at the National Defense University's Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies (NESA) in Washington, DC. He joined the NESA Center in 2012, after serving for five years as an Instructor of Political Science at Butler University. While at Butler, he taught classes on Asian politics, social movements, international relations, and political economy. Mr. Payne has also served as a consultant for the World Bank and as a faculty member for DePauw University. As a Research Fellow at the NESA Center, Mr. Payne conducts analysis on Chinese foreign policy, South Asian security affairs, maritime security, and transnational movements. In his role as Academic Affairs Manager, Mr. Payne serves the Dean of the NESA Center by managing academic products produced by the NESA Center. Presently, he serves as the NESA Center’s lead for engagements in the People’s Republic of China. He also serves as the director of the Next Generation Seminar, an ongoing NESA program devoted to the rising generation of leaders in the Middle East and the impact of the Arab Awakening. Additional NESA programs in which he is a part include Energizing Peace, a program devoted to energy security in the Levant, and the Strategic Studies Network. Mr. Payne received his Master’s Degree from Indiana University. Originally hailing from the Midwest, he has lived in China and travelled extensively throughout Asia. He and his wife live in the Northern Virginia.

Dr.  Elena Suponina Dr. Elena Suponina is advisor at the Institute for Strategic Studies, Moscow where she has previously served as Director of the Middle East and Asia Center. He research interests include contemporary Middle Eastern and Asian issues; cooperation between Russia and countries in the region; international mediation in the Middle East settlement; counter-terrorism strategies; Foreign policy and International affairs. Dr Suponina during her 15 years in research was a member of analytic groups belonging to the Kremlin and Foreign Ministry, traveling with Russian President and several Russian Foreign Ministers during their trips abroad. For her researches she met and interviewed eminent world leaders, including the leaders of most Arab countries, presidents, heads of governments, foreign ministers and ministers of petroleum and energy industries, heads of intelligence agencies and political parties. She published over 10 research papers and thousands of opinion articles. As political analyst she provides commentaries for various Russian, Western and Arab TV channels and radio stations. Dr. Suponina has received International and Russian awards for best publications in following areas: Islam in Russia, Russian–Arab cooperation, International Policy. She was also given an award for courage from Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dr. Gidon Windecker Gidon Windecker has lived and worked in the Middle East for the last 16 years. He is a social scientist and holds a PhD degree in Middle Eastern Studies. He is an expert on consulting international stakeholders, especially in volatile and politically sensitive environments. His consulting work focuses on organisational development, change management, policy implementation processes, and strategy design and implementation. He has also trained numerous local organisations in project management. Gidon worked for and headed the Regional Office Gulf States of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for altogether six years. He is an advocate for international cooperation, intercultural communication, and rapport building between people of diverse backgrounds. “Building bridges through Dialogue” has been the long-standing motto of his work. The focus of Gidon’s research and project work is good governance, civil society empowerment, prevention of radicalisation, peace education, and inter-religious dialogue. He has published a considerable number of relevant research papers on Middle Eastern politics, socio-economic development, conflict transformation, and media and society in the Arab world. His regional focus lies on the Levant and the Gulf States.

Professor P R Kumaraswamy P R Kumaraswamy is a professor of contemporary Middle Eastern studies in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India. During 1992-1999, he was a research fellow at the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace, Jerusalem. Since joining JNU in September 1999, he has been researching, teaching and writing on various aspects of the contemporary Middle East. His works include Squaring the Circle: Mahatma Gandhi and the Jewish National Home (2018); India’s Israel Policy (2010) and Historical Dictionary of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (2015). In February 2010 he setup the virtual Middle East Institute, New Delhi and serves as its honorary director. He is the editor of Contemporary Review of the Middle East and the Series Editor of Persian Gulf: India’s Relations with the Region.

Dr. Elsayed Ali Abofarha Dr. Elsayed Ali Abofarha is Assistant Professor of political science at the Faculty of Economic Studies and Political Science in Banisuef University, Cairo, Egypt. He was a Fellow at Massachusetts Amherst University in 2015 and has been a visiting professor at universities of Connecticut, Virginia, Shippensburg, and Massachusetts Amherst. Dr.Abofarha was awarded PhD by Cairo University in 2015 for his thesis on and “Judiciary’s Political Role in Democratization: Comparative Study.” He book The Implications of Qualitative Transformation in the Terrorist Phenomenon on the Arab Nation State (in Arabic) was published by Center for Strategic Studies, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt in 2016. In addition he has published numerous articles and contributed chapters in edited volumes.

H. E. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies, in addition to serving as Undersecretary for International Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, a post he has held since August 2015. In 2015, Shaikh Abdulla was awarded a PhD in International Relations and Diplomacy from the École des Hautes Études Internationales, France. In 2008, he earned a Master of Law (LLM) from Queen Mary College, University of London, UK, focusing on negotiation and mediation. He also holds a Diploma in Political Development (Honours) from the Bahrain Institute for Political Development, Bahrain 2007 and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) (Honours) from the Applied Science University, Jordan 2006. Shaikh Abdulla is an international expert in Mediation, accredited by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in London where he participated in their training initiatives for international agencies and experts. He is also accredited as a Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming by the United States' National Federation of Neuro Linguistic Programming.

Azmi Bishara (TBC) He is the Director General of the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies and a member of its Executive Board. A prominent researcher and writer, Bishara has published numerous books and academic papers in political thought, social theory, and philosophy, in addition to several literary works. He was Professor of Philosophy and History of Political Thought at Birzeit University, from 1986 to 1996. He also co-founded Muwatin, the Palestinian Institute for the Study of Democracy, and Mada al-Carmel, the Arab Centre for Applied Social Research. Bishara was the principal founder of the National Democratic Assembly (Balad), a Palestinian-Arab party inside the Green Line, which supports democratic values irrespective of religious, ethnic or national identity. For four consecutive sessions, from 1996-2007, he represented his party as an elected member of parliament. In 2007, Bishara had differences with the Israeli authorities over his political positions. He currently resides in Doha, Qatar. He is the recipient of the Ibn Rushd Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2002 and the Global Exchange Human Rights Award in 2003.

Dr. Ebtesam al-Ketbi Ebtesam Al-Ketbi is a founder and president of the Emirates Policy Center and the first Arab woman to lead a think tank. She is a professor of political science at United Arab Emirates University and a member of the Consultative Commission of the Gulf Cooperation Council. She has served in several capacities, including: as the secretary general of the Gulf Development Forum; as a board member of the Association of Political Sciences; as a member of the board of trustees of the Arab Unity Studies Center; as a member of the board of trustees of the Arab Organization for Transparency; as a consultative board member of the Arab Thought Foundation; as a member of the board of trustees of the Arab Council for Social Sciences; and as a member of the core team behind the 2006 Arab Human Development Report, among others. She is a founding member of the Emirates Human Rights Association. She has published a number of papers including: “The Security Dimensions of Military Relations Between GCC countries and the USA”; “The Global Community and the War on Terrorism: Threat or Opportunity?”; and “Democratic Transformations in GCC Countries. She earned a PhD in political science from Cairo University.

Khalid Hamad Al Gailani (TBC) Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of Sultanate of Oman Dr. Meena Singh Roy Dr. Meena Singh Roy is a Research Fellow and Coordinator, West Asia Centre at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. She has published books titled, International and Regional Security Dynamics: Indian and Iranian Perspectives (ed.), July 2009, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi; Emerging Trends in West Asia: Regional and Global Implications (ed.), Pentagon Press, 2014 and a monograph titled The Shanghai Cooperation Organization: India Seeking New Role in the Eurasian Regional Mechanism, 2014, IDSA Publication. Her Forthcoming book is titled Linking South and Central Asia in the New Strategic Environment: Envisioning India's Future Partnership with the Eurasian.

Ambassador Michael Ronen Michael Ronen is Head of India and South East Asia Bureau, MFA Israel. He completed his M.A. in European Studies, Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1983. Prior to that he was Deputy Ambassador in El Salvador, Deputy Ambassador in Colombia, Deputy Ambassador in Paraguay, Deputy Ambassador in Azerbaijan, Deputy Chief of Mission in Australia, Non-Resident Ambassador to the Pacific Islands. He served at various departments in Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs like Official Guests Department, Deputy Director in European Organizations Department, Deputy Director in Emergency and Crisis Management Center, Director of the Pacific Department and Director of the South East Asia Department.

Prof. Mohammed Benhammou Mohammed Benhammou is President, Moroccan Centre for Strategic Studies (CMES), Rabat. He is former student of the National School of Administration of Paris. He is a graduate of the University of Montpellier and holds a doctorate of state in law. As a professor, he was engage in teaching political science, evaluation of public policies international relations and introduction to strategic studies and geopolitical changes in the Rabelese French universities and Mohammed V-Souissi University. He is former vice Dean of la Faculte de Droit de Sale and he is current chief of Department of Public Law. He is former vice President of international organisation called “Trainers without Borders”.  He is the President of Centre Marocain Etudes Stratégiques (CMES) and elected President at African Federation of Strategic Studies (FAES). He is member of International Institute for Strategic Studies and is associated with the London Academy of Diplomacy. He has a number of publications to his credit.

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