Project: Security and Development in the Middle East: Trends and Challenges
- RIAC and Emirates Center for Strategic Analysis and Research Discussed Opportunities for Cooperation
- International Experts Discuss Latest Trends in Political Development in the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Russian and French Experts and Diplomats Discuss Interaction of the Two Countries in the Middle East
The Middle East remains a region of tensions due to the persisting contradictions between regional actors, as well as social and political instability in several countries. Therefore, political and economic trends in the Middle East are in need of theoretical understanding. To study the dynamics of political and economic developments in the region, it is important to identify the underlying cause-and-effect patterns in regional processes as well as drivers of systemic transformations in the Middle East.
The aim of the project is to explore the main trends in the region’s political and economic development. The objectives of the project include determining the parameters of political and economic dynamics in the Middle East, patterns of systemic transformation in international relations, as well as development trajectories in the Middle Eastern countries.
The project offers a closer look at the prospects for fostering Russia’s relations with Turkey, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel and other countries in the region.
Project Partners
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Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS
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IMEMO RAS
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Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA, Egypt)
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The Institute for Iran & Eurasia Studies (IRAS, Iran)
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Center for Strategic Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye (SAM, Turkey)
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Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR, UAE)
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Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue (RCD, Iraq)
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Foreign Policy Institute (FPI, Turkey)
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Nation Building Movement (NBM, Syria)
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Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS, Iran)
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Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University (IISS, China)
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Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS, China)
Key publications
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Report “Regional Trends in the Middle East: Political and Economic Dynamics”, 2023
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Report “Middle East: Impact of Afghanistan and Ukraine Crises on Key Regional Trends”, 2022
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Report “Political Risks for Russian-Egyptian Cooperation in North Africa”, 2021 (jointly with ECFA)
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Report “International Assistance to the Middle East and North Africa: Managing the Risks”, 2020
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Working Paper “Settling the Syrian Conflict Amid the Ukrainian Crisis: Political Economy Perspective”, 2022
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Working Paper “Russia and Turkey: State and Prospects of Energy Cooperation”, 2021
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Working Paper “Russia and Iran in Syria and Beyond: Challenges Ahead”, 2020 (jointly with IRAS)
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Policy Brief “Russia — UAE Cooperation in the Energy Sector”, 2023 (jointly with ECSSR)
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Policy Brief “Syria — Turkey Relations: A Road to Normalization”, 2023
Analytics (366)
The West is trying to lay the groundwork for gaining leverage over the current authorities in Damascus
ShortQatar is pursuing an independent and balanced foreign policy, which makes it a valuable partner for Russia, especially in the context of sanctions pressure and increasing…
ShortAnalytics
Interview (15)
The reality is that, like it or not, the West, including Europe, are on the losing side of the conflict in Syria and this automatically limits leverage
ShortInterview
Expert columns (56)
The disputes between Baghdad and Erbil now affect the essence of the Iraqi state itself and are no longer merely a Kurdish issue
ShortThe creation of a Shiite southern region is a powerful negotiating tool in the “Greater Middle East” mapping movements, as well as internal, regional, and even international…
ShortExpert columns
Scientific Consultants
RIAC Vice-President, President of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation, RIAC Vice-president
Project Manager
Program Manager at the Russian International Affairs Council
On May 18–19, 2025, the “Tehran Dialogue Forum — 2025” was held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI)
On April 16, 2025 round table “Russia-Qatar Relations in the Context of the Regional and Global Trends” was held. Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) in cooperation with HSE University and Center for International Policy Research (CIPR) organized the meeting
On March 25, 2025, an expert discussion “Russian-Israeli relations and regional context” was held. Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) in cooperation with Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IOS RAS) organized the meeting
Comments (51)
Ph.D. in History, RIAC Member
RIAC Vice-President, President of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
PhD in Political Science, Deputy Director for Academic Work under the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, RIAC member
PhD in Political Science, Deputy Director for Academic Work under the Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, RIAC member
Comments