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 (387)
Washington’s failed gamble shows how far the global balance of power has moved
ShortThe Gulf monarchies are not choosing Ukraine over Russia. They are adding Ukraine to a widening portfolio of security, technology and diplomatic options
Analytics
Comments (52)
The war’s outcome marks a setback for American hegemony and a step toward a more multipolar order
ShortComments
Expert columns (84)
Both Hezbollah's actions and Israel's decisions can jeopardize both the negotiation process itself and the implementation of already achieved agreements
ShortThe evolution of Middle Eastern security dynamics has proven that traditional economic and military measures of power are no longer sufficient to guarantee strategic dominance
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 19, 2026, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the UAE Embassy in Moscow held a roundtable titled “Russia–UAE Political Cooperation in the Context of Evolving Regional Dynamics”
On April 1, 2026, a roundtable organized by several Arab embassies took place in Moscow, bringing together Russian political and academic figures
On April 2, 2026, a roundtable “Dynamics of the Middle East Conflict: Scenarios and Forecasts” was held at the Izvestia Multimedia Information Center
Vladimir Orlov, Leonid Tsukanov
Vladimir Orlov, Elena Karnauhova





Comments (52)
President of the Russian International Affairs Council
Ph.D. in History, Expert of the Valdai Discussion Club
Doctor of Political Science, Ph.D. in History, Deputy Director for Science of the IOS RAS, RIAC Member
RIAC Vice-President, President of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Comments