Video: Middle East regional conflicts and cooperation

The Middle East is experiencing an extraordinary level of violence and turmoil. In Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Egypt state orders are put into question, extremist ideologies are on the rise and regional powers are engaged in intense proxy warfare. At the same time, however, the nuclear agreement between Iran and P5+1 has raised hopes with some analysts and policy-makers that a regional rapprochement may be achievable and that Iran can play a more constructive role in terms of resolving key Middle East conflicts, including the crises in Syria and Yemen.

Recently, the Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif thus called for a regional gathering for dialogue and a new initiative for promoting nuclear non-proliferation. However, some regional powers and analysts are more skeptical, and they fear that the nuclear agreement and the lifting of sanctions will increase Iran’s regional power and its ability to support local allies.

On 1 September, DIIS had the pleasure of welcoming the following speakers to discuss these new possibilities and challenges for regional conflict resolution:

Mohammad Irani, Former Ambassador of Iran to Jordan and Senior Researcher, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Alireza Miryousefi Aval, Director, Center for Middle East studies, IPIS

Helle Malmvig, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Lars Erslev Andersen, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Rasmus Boserup, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Janne Bjerre Christensen, Postdoc, DIIS