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Chatham House Middle East and North Africa
@chmenap.bsky.social
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The Middle East and North Africa Programme @chathamhouse.bsky.social | A world-leading centre for analysis, policy research and debate on the MENA region.

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Tomorrow, Iraqis head to the polls in a pivotal election that could test Iraq's stability. Which bloc is the frontrunner in the race? How might the balance of power shift – and what’s at stake for reform and Iraq’s regional position?

Read the latest #IraqInitiative analysis ↓
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reposted by Chatham House Middle East and North Africa
chietigj.bsky.social
Last week I hosted a @chathamhouse.org webinar discussing the #Pakistan-#Saudi defence pact with Talmiz Ahmad (former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia), Farzana Shaikh from the @chasiapacific.bsky.social and Bilal Saab from @chmenap.bsky.social. Watch it here: www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/o...
Saudi-Pakistan defence pact: What are the implications for regional power and security?
How the new Saudi–Pakistan defence pact could reshape power dynamics across the Middle East and South Asia.
www.chathamhouse.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
📢 Upcoming event: A foreign policy for the new Syria

Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister of Syria, speaks at Chatham House to describe the hopes and ambition for a new Syria’s role in the region and world.

📅 12 Nov
🕐 12.30 GMT
📍 @ChathamHouse & Zoom
www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/o...
A foreign policy for the new Syria
Asaad al-Shaibani, foreign minister of Syria, speaks at Chatham House to describe the hopes and ambition for a new Syria’s role in the region and world.
www.chathamhouse.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
A stream of American senior officials to Israel indicates that the White House is keen to ensure that ceasefire violations do not derail Trump’s so-called peace plan, writes Yossi Mekelberg.

Read the new Expert Comment ⤵️
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/10/isra...
Israel-Hamas: A fragile ceasefire tested from the word go
A stream of American senior officials to Israel indicates that the White House is keen to ensure that ceasefire violations do not derail Trump’s so-called peace plan.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:50 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
🚨 Upcoming webinar: What's next for Gaza?

A panel of experts discuss reconstruction, governance, security and the future of Palestinian statehood.

📅 30 October
⏰ 14.00 GMT
📍 Zoom

Register now ⤵️
www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
What's next for Gaza?
A panel of experts discuss reconstruction, governance, security and the future of Palestinian statehood.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
Iraq goes to the polls on 11 November. But with few Iraqis expected to actually vote, the real contest lies in how power will be divided among the elites who dominate the system.

Read the new #IraqInitiative explainer by @renadmansour.bsky.social ⤵️
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/10/iraq...
Iraq elections 2025: How votes are won and what the results could mean for Iraq’s fragile stability
Iraq goes to the polls on 11 November. But with few Iraqis expected to actually vote, the real contest lies in how power will be divided among the elites who dominate the system.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:27 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
With the return of hostages, the illusion of ‘total victory’ has passed, and Netanyahu’s position has changed dramatically. But how likely is it that he loses his grip on power?

Read the new analysis by Ksenia Svetlova ⤵️

www.chathamhouse.org/2025/10/neta...
Netanyahu’s concepts collapsed, one by one, as Trump piled on pressure: What next for his government?
With the return of hostages, the illusion of ‘total victory’ has passed. Calls for elections in Israel may grow, but Netanyahu will be keen to delay.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 14, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Reposted by Chatham House Middle East and North Africa
chathamhouse.org
Egypt is wary of being drawn into a power and security vacuum in Gaza — and left to enforce the peace alone.

Read the latest analysis from Associate Fellow David Butter (@chmenap.bsky.social) for @chathamhouse.org⤵️
Egypt is crucial to Trump’s Gaza plan – but fears a security vacuum after an Israeli withdrawal
Egypt wants to lock in a long-term commitment from other countries to ensure it is not left to secure Gaza alone.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
🚨TODAY: The 2025 #IraqInitiative Conference!

Watch all sessions live 🔽
www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
Iraq Initiative Conference 2025
At the seventh annual Iraq Initiative conference, Iraqi and international policymakers, experts and civil society, convene in London to explore Iraq’s trajectory in the year ahead.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 1, 2025 at 11:39 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
'It is crucial that recognizing countries immediately follow up their commitments by taking concrete measures to help realize the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and counter Israel’s illegal settlement policy,' writes Zizette Darkazally.
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/09/inte...
International recognition of Palestine provides hope. Now Palestinians must unite around a national plan
Palestinian political factions must come together under the umbrella of the PLO and work with supportive countries to agree an inclusive agenda of reform.
www.chathamhouse.org
September 26, 2025 at 12:39 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
🚨TODAY | Palestine is now recognised by the UK. What happens next?

Sanam Vakil, Zizette Darkazally, Stephen Farrell and Yossi Mekelberg look at whether and how a functioning state can be brought into being.

⏲️13.00 BST

Watch the livesteam at 13.00 BST ⬇️
www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/s...
Palestine is now recognised by the UK. What happens next?
After the UK and other leading western nations recognised the State of Palestine, our panel of experts looks at whether and how a functioning state can be brought into being.
www.chathamhouse.org
September 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
'Recognition has been a consistent demand by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), and its diplomatic missions. Now that their demand has been realized, what should the Palestinians do?'

Read the new analysis by Zizette Darkazally ⬇️
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/09/inte...
International recognition of Palestine provides hope. Now Palestinians must unite around a national plan
Palestinian political factions must come together under the umbrella of the PLO and work with supportive countries to agree an inclusive agenda of reform.
www.chathamhouse.org
September 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
'The solution to enhanced Gulf security lies within. It always has, and it’s based on defence integration, or at the very least much improved defence cooperation between the six countries of the GCC,' writes Bilal Y. Saab.

Read the analysis ⬇️
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/09/isra...
Israel’s attack on Qatar shows why it’s time for a Gulf defence union
Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Arab states would be better served by integrating their defences than relying on other external partners.
www.chathamhouse.org
September 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Chatham House Middle East and North Africa
chathamhouse.org
Arab states in the Middle East are concluding that Israel is now the biggest threat to stability in the region.

Read Sanam Vakil's (@chmenap.bsky.social) analysis following Israel's airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar in @theguardian.com ⤵️
Israel has replaced Iran as the biggest security threat to the Gulf states | Sanam Vakil
As the US waits on the sidelines, Israel’s actions – as evidenced by the attack on Doha – are becoming increasingly audacious, says Sanam Vakil, director of Chatham House’s Middle East and North Afric...
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:30 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
🚨 Join us on 1 Oct at the 2025 #IraqInitiative Conference!

Only ONE WEEK left to register interest to attend in person at Chatham House. Registration closes on 10 September!

Registration for virtual attendance will remain open.
www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
Iraq Initiative Conference 2025
At the 7th annual Iraq Initiative conference, Iraqi and international policymakers, experts and civil society, convene in London to explore Iraq’s trajectory in the year ahead.
www.chathamhouse.org
September 4, 2025 at 9:30 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
Political fragmentation & instability have harmed Libya’s ability to manage natural resources & mitigate the rising impacts of climate change. Empowering local government, CSOs & the private sector offers the most viable path forward, writes Malak Altaeb.
kalam.chathamhouse.org/articles/emp...
Empowering local actors to ensure climate resilience in Libya - Kalam
Political fragmentation and instability have harmed Libya’s ability to manage its natural resources and mitigate the rising impacts of climate change. In
kalam.chathamhouse.org
September 2, 2025 at 10:03 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
🚨 Upcoming event: In conversation with HE Dr Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK

📅 2 September
🕐 13.00 BST
📍 @chathamhouse.org & online

Register now ⬇️
www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/o...
In conversation with HE Dr Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom
Next steps on ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the future for a Palestinian state.
www.chathamhouse.org
August 29, 2025 at 11:53 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
Surveying the political landscape today, Iraq’s upcoming legislative polls seem to offer little indication that civic forces will regain lost ground, writes @haydersh.bsky.social via @amwajmedia.bsky.social.
amwaj.media/en/article/w...
Deep Dive: Iraq’s civic parties face uphill battle in upcoming elections
Once poised to  dominate Iraq’s political future, figures and parties emerging from the October (Tishreen) 2019 protest movement now face widespread public apathy. These declining fortunes follow a pr...
amwaj.media
August 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
In both Oman and Saudi Arabia, the key issue is the extent to which civic participation is actually shaping state policy, and the extent to which officials leading this process are accountable to the views of citizens, writes Sumaiya Al-Wahaibi.
kalam.chathamhouse.org/articles/sau...
Saudi Arabia and Oman's transformation strategies must move from performative to genuine citizen engagement - Kalam
Oman and Saudi Arabia are integrating youth and civil society into governance, but largely on the state’s terms. These are tightly managed attempts to sustain
kalam.chathamhouse.org
August 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
'Ali Larijani's appointment as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security and designation as the country's representative marks the return of a pragmatic conservative close to the leadership to a critical post,' says Sanam Vakil via @newsweek.com.
www.newsweek.com/ali-larijani...
Who is Ali Larijani? Iran's new security czar
Larijani's new role comes as Tehran works to bolster allies, manage proxies and contend with U.S. tensions.
www.newsweek.com
August 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
☀️ Explore the MENA Programme’s 2025 publications ⬇️

Part of the @chathamhouse.org and XCEPT Research project, these papers explore the evolving dynamics of transnational conflict ecosystems across the Middle East, North Africa, the Sahel, and parts of West and East Africa.🧵
August 15, 2025 at 11:50 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
Scarcity of water is not only a national crisis for Iraq, but a growing driver of internal tension.

Read the new @chathamhouse.org Expert Comment by @haydersh.bsky.social ⬇️
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/08/iraq...
Iraq’s water crisis: Dammed by neighbours, failed by leaders
Scarcity of water is not only a national crisis for Iraq, but a growing driver of internal tension.
www.chathamhouse.org
August 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
chmenap.bsky.social
📢 Article Series

'Evolving Turkey–Iran relations & implications for regional reordering'

Our recent series of policy articles, part of a @chathamhouse.org MENAP & CATS Network project, examines Turkey–Iran relations, the dynamics that shape them & implications for regional reordering. 🧵
August 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Chatham House Middle East and North Africa
chathamhouse.org
"We are exactly twenty years since the [Israeli] disengagement from Gaza, some among the settler movement never gave up on the dream to be back in Gaza."

Yossi Mekelberg (@chmenap.bsky.social) on whether Israel will annex the Gaza Strip, via @aljazeera.com ⤵️
August 12, 2025 at 9:50 AM
chmenap.bsky.social
Without clear answers and genuine transparency, Syria's elections risk becoming another top-down exercise – reinforcing public cynicism rather than restoring trust, writes @haidhaid22.bsky.social via @thenationalnews.com.
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
Syria's elections must be about more than filling seats | The National
Without genuine transparency, September's polls risk becoming another top-down exercise – reinforcing public cynicism rather than restoring trust
www.thenationalnews.com
August 11, 2025 at 10:21 AM