Near East Policy Forum

  • Turkmenistan’s Political Future amid Growing Australian Ties

    The strengthening of ties between Australia and Turkmenistan comes as domestic politics in the Central Asian states settles into a new pattern following last year’s leadership transition.

    Gulshat Rozyyeva

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    Turkmenistan flag painted onto a print wall
  • China’s Growing Role in Middle East Diplomacy: Navigating Regional Tensions

    China’s Growing Role in Middle East Diplomacy: Navigating Regional Tensions

    China has historically pursued a restrained and economically focused presence in the Middle East, steering clear of direct involvement in conflicts and refraining from taking positions on contentious disputes. In this, Beijing has largely benefited from the security provisions offered by the United States, thus evading the security expenses and strategic challenges encountered by Washington.…

    Nasser Khdour and Anas Iqtait

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  • Behind the Pitch: How the UEFA Champions League Final Reflects Sino-Arab Geopolitics

    Behind the Pitch: How the UEFA Champions League Final Reflects Sino-Arab Geopolitics

    European club football’s season is set to culminate with the UEFA men’s Champions League final being staged in Istanbul, Manchester City of the English Premier League facing Italian Serie A team Internazionale of Milan in the competition’s deciding match. On-field, it should be an action-packed showcase for European football, off-field it is less likely to be the…

    Simon Chadwick and Paul Widdop

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  • Saudi Arabia, China, Red Sea Geopolitics & The 2030 World Cup

    Saudi Arabia, China, Red Sea Geopolitics & The 2030 World Cup

    In March 2021, a container ship – the Ever Given – ran aground in Egypt’s Suez Canal following stormy weather. This caused a significant obstruction to one of the world’s busiest trade routes, which lasted for almost a week. By the time the Ever Given was freed, there were more than three hundred and sixty…

    Simon Chadwick

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  • Returning to traditional solutions in the face of climate challenges

    Returning to traditional solutions in the face of climate challenges

    The Middle East region is facing major challenges related to climate change, and Iraq is no exception. Despite being a historically water-rich country, Iraq faces demands from multiple directions for this critical resource: population growth, the legacy of multiple wars, transboundary water (mis)management and a changing climate. An analysis of a commonly used drought index…

    Lina Eklund and Hossein Hashemi

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  • Solar Solutions to Power Outages in Energy-rich Iraq

    Solar Solutions to Power Outages in Energy-rich Iraq

    In 2011, the World Bank  estimated Iraqis endured, on average, 40 power outages every month –  placing Iraq in the unenviable position of sixth globally in terms of frequency of outages after Bangladesh, Pakistan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Papua New Guinea.  Over the past 12 years, the situation in Iraq has deteriorated further with widespread and…

    Georges Naufal

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  • Moving past the Blue Diamond Affair: Saudi and Thai ties deepen

    Moving past the Blue Diamond Affair: Saudi and Thai ties deepen

    On November 20th, Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok as a guest of honor. For Riyadh, his appearance was indicative of the kingdom’s increasingly prominent presence in multilateral forums, marking a significant step in the Saudis’ efforts to deepen their relationships with key Asian countries.…

    Adam Baron

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  • Israel’s Upcoming Election: The View from Amman and Ramallah

    Israel’s Upcoming Election: The View from Amman and Ramallah

    Jordan and Palestine are bracing themselves for Israel’s fifth election in just over three years, slated for November 1. Beyond Israel itself, these two countries are arguably most affected by the outcome and subsequent shifts in domestic politics. Taking primacy are Jordanian and Palestinian concerns over the future prospect of a two-state solution given trends…

    Nasser bin Nasser

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  • Capitalising on Covid: China’s health diplomacy in the Middle East

    Capitalising on Covid: China’s health diplomacy in the Middle East

    In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s Belt and Road Initiative has enabled the rising superpower to expand its sphere of influence in the Middle East. Much analysis of the initiative, which has seen China invest in more than 70 countries across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, is focused on infrastructure, including new…

    Evan Freidin

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  • Emerging space power in Central Asia: Kazakhstan at the crossroad

    Emerging space power in Central Asia: Kazakhstan at the crossroad

    After the disintegration of the USSR, Kazakhstan inherited a significant technological artefact of the Soviet space program, the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The management of the spaceport, from which the historically significant Sputnik 1 was launched, was transferred to Russia through a lease agreement from 1994 till 2050. However the Kazakhstani leadership had remained committed to the…

    Nelly Bekus and Zhomart Medeuov

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  • Navigating Great Powers: Mongolia and Kazakhstan’s shared geopolitical uncertainties

    Navigating Great Powers: Mongolia and Kazakhstan’s shared geopolitical uncertainties

    Though seldom analysed together, Mongolian and Kazakh foreign policies are connected today by nature of their shared experience of their two larger neighbours China and Russia. Mongolia and Kazakhstan have both attempted to balance a largely economic relationship with China and a military strategic relationship with Russia, in order to develop and maintain their security…

    Liam Campbell

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