Description: 

The Middle Eastern rivals are talking to each other and de-escalating their tension. Economic cooperation and political normalization seem to form the new narrative of the region. Whether these flurry of diplomatic outreaches represent a new era in the region or a mere strategic pause in the regional disputes remain to be seen. In spite of these trends, the contest over the domestic political order of the state in the region remains to be an unsettled one. Sources of societal discontent are only worsening.

Guiding Questions

What is the prospect for this process of de-escalation?

Are we witnessing the emergence of a new era in the region? If so, what are the defining qualities of this new era?

What does this new era mean for the process of change in the Arab world?

How are the relations between major regional players evolving?

How does the war in Ukraine affect the ongoing process of regional de-escalation?

Speakers: 

Meliha Benli Altunsik | Professor, Department of International Relations, Middle East Technical University

Wadah Khanfar | President, Al Sharq Forum; Former Director General, Al Jazeera Network

Tarik Yousef | Senior Fellow and Director, Middle East Council on Global Affairs