09:45 – 10:00 Opening of the Conference
Andrey BYSTRITSKIY, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club
Vitaly NAUMKIN, President, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Science; Full Member, Russian Academy of Sciences
Igor MORGULOV, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
10:00 - 11:30 Session 1. Middle East – Future Oriented. Two Perspectives
As political transformation, which has changed the face of the Middle East, continues to gain pace, the world is anxiously anticipating new cataclysms. According to many politicians, a new series of perturbations brewing up in the region can affect the very foundations of the established order. Disunity, which has become a common disease in Middle Eastern societies, hinders their consolidation even on the most vital issues. At the same time, one cannot help but see the global context behind these developments, which allows us to draw parallels between changes in the region and beyond.
Is it possible to talk about uniqueness and singularity of the turbulent Middle Eastern processes? Will they affect all countries or will some of them be able to preserve their fundamentals? How can the main trends in regional development be identified?
Speakers:
Ali ALAHMAD, Political and public figure, Syria
Vitaly NAUMKIN, President, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Science; Full Member, Russian Academy of Sciences
Moderator:
Hrair BALIAN, Director, Conflict Resolution Program, The Carter Center