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Working Group

Middle East & North Africa

Fostering resilience in a region of transformation

The Working Group Middle East & North Africa, covering conflicts, energy security, and political stability, analyses regional power struggles, military dynamics, and economic resilience in MENA. It assesses the influence of external actors, counterterrorism, and humanitarian challenges. Monthly briefings offer data-driven insights and visualisations on the evolving geopolitical landscape and security dynamics of the region.

Middle East & North Africa

Working Group Leader

Ürküt

Berat

Ürküt

Senior Research Fellow

Working Group Members

Böhm

Sebastian Robert

Böhm

External Author

Giudice

Vittoria

Giudice

Senior Research Fellow

Jagersma

Shadan

Jagersma

Junior Research Fellow

Foulon

Saskia

Foulon

Junior Research Fellow

Steenbreker

Age

Steenbreker

Junior Research Fellow

Parkin

Ella

Parkin

Junior Research Fellow

Lischinsky

Yaron

Lischinsky

Alumni Research Fellow

Seifert

Neele Henry

Seifert

Junior Research Fellow

Warmboldt

Mareike

Warmboldt

Senior Research Fellow

Kasap

Hatice

Kasap

Junior Research Fellow

Ürküt

Berat

Ürküt

Senior Research Fellow

Hoffmann

Denis

Hoffmann

Junior Research Fellow

Publications

EU’s response to Syria’s new government

EU's reaction to Syria in light of contemporary issues

Since December 8th, 2024, the European Union (EU) has been working to determine how its relations with the new Syrian government will evolve. This article seeks to explain the reactions taken by the EU. This article concludes that the situation in Syria evolves rapidly, EU countries are vigilant. Member states wait for tangible steps towards human rights protection before moving forward with diplomatic and economic relations.

Kasap

Hatice

Kasap

Junior Research Fellow

Junior Research Fellow

EU’s response to Syria’s new government

The Arab League: Different Responses Towards Gaza

Navigating Between Bold Rhetoric and Insufficient Solutions of The Arab League

This brief analyzes the Arab League's multifaceted reaction to the Gaza conflict, considering various potential outcomes.

Foulon

Saskia

Foulon

Junior Research Fellow

Junior Research Fellow

The Arab League: Different Responses Towards Gaza

Report of the 23rd Berlin Security Conference – Challenges of the Middle Eastern Conflict for European Security

Challenges of the Middle Eastern Conflict for European Security

How does the Middle East crisis impact European security? The conflict exacerbates societal tensions, strains migration systems, adds disinformation and polarization and strengthens Iran-Russia ties. A coordinated EU approach is crucial to address these challenges, balancing humanitarian aid, social cohesion, and geopolitical resilience.

Seifert

Neele Henry

Seifert

Junior Research Fellow

Junior Research Fellow

Report of the 23rd Berlin Security Conference – Challenges of the Middle Eastern Conflict for European Security

Hezbollah - Why a Ground Offensive Against Lebanon’s Shadow Rulers is a Risky Undertaking

Why a Ground Offensive Against Lebanon’s Shadow Rulers is a Risky Undertaking

Experts speak of the most powerful non-state actor worldwide: Hezbollah in Lebanon will pose major challenges to the Israel Defense Forces.

Böhm

Sebastian Robert

Böhm

External Author

External Author

Hezbollah - Why a Ground Offensive Against Lebanon’s Shadow Rulers is a Risky Undertaking

The Impact of the Israel-Hamas War on Egypt's Tourist Industry

N/A

The Hamas-Israel war has affected Egypt’s vulnerable economy in various ways. Quantifying the exact impact remains challenging due to the complex and multifaceted nature of its influence on Egypt and the region.

Ürküt

Berat

Ürküt

Senior Research Fellow

Rubins

Esti

Rubins

Senior Research Fellow

The Impact of the Israel-Hamas War on Egypt's Tourist Industry

Shifting Alliances

Saudi Arabia's new Strategic Balance Beyond US Dependence

Saudi Arabia diversifies its alliances with Russia and China, balancing US reliance while pursuing independent security

Hoffmann

Denis

Hoffmann

Junior Research Fellow

Junior Research Fellow

Shifting Alliances

The Turkish-Iraqi Security Agreement

Enhancing Bilateral Relations Despite Regional Complications

The 2024 Turkish-Iraqi security agreement boosts military collaboration, challenges Iran's influence, and raises concerns about Turkey's sway in Iraq.

Ürküt

Berat

Ürküt

Senior Research Fellow

Elya

Dema

Elya

Senior Research Fellow

The Turkish-Iraqi Security Agreement

Tunisia's Geopolitical Leverage

EU's Cooperation Amid Democratic Erosion

Tunisia's democracy falters under Saied's rule, yet the EU continues financial support to tackle its own migration issues. As the biggest African migrant hub, Saied, thus, has a strong bargaining position against the EU.

Seifert

Neele Henry

Seifert

Junior Research Fellow

Junior Research Fellow

Tunisia's Geopolitical Leverage

Balancing Borders

The EU’s Divergent Migration Deals with Lebanon and Egypt

The EU's migration deals focus on economic aid and border management, but face challenges due to regional instability.

Elya

Dema

Elya

Junior Research Fellow

Foulon

Saskia

Foulon

Junior Research Fellow

Balancing Borders
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