On February 28 — March 1, the Valdai Discussion Club, with the support of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, hosted its 12th Middle East Conference, titled “The New Middle East and the Security Crisis in Europe: Effects of Mutual Influence”. The participants of the first session discussed, in particular, the possibility of creating an inclusive regional security system.
Watch the opening and first session also in Russian and Arabic.
11:30—11:45 Opening
11:45—13:15 Session 1. The Middle East and International Order: Towards a New Regional Security System?
The Middle East continues to be burdened by long-standing problems — the settlement in Syria, the Yemeni conflict, the civil standoff in Iraq, and the aggravating Kurdish question. Apart from them, new ones have emerged: the interconnection between the South Caucasus and the Middle East instability, the problems in food and energy supplies, the echoes of the hostilities in Ukraine. As the U.S. presence in the region is diminishing, China and India are taking the lead in the economy. What impact do these processes have on regional dynamics? Is there a prospect for an inclusive regional security system?
Read the Programme for details.