[Session 2] What is the Middle East’s “New Normal”?

Session: Session 2
Date/Time: April 26, 2016 / 16:30-18:00

Moderator:
Karen E. House, Belfer Center for Science and Int’l Affairs, Harvard University

Speakers:
Henri Barkey, Woodrow Wilson Int’l Center for Scholars
Reza Eslami-Somea, Shahid Beheshti University
Suat Kiniklioglu, Center for Strategic Communication, Turkey

Panel Description
The turmoil shaking the Middle East today is not only transforming the region, but affecting the entire world. From the battle against the Islamic State (IS) to the tragedy of the Syrian civil war and the deterioration of Yemen, violence has taken thousands of lives. Nations that had hopes for democratic development and regional integration during the Arab Spring are struggling to maintain minimal order. Historically low oil prices are forcing the Gulf States to transform their economies. With Iran’s reemergence on the international stage, rivalries over energy, security, and economic issues will intensify. Do Middle Eastern states have the institutions in place to overcome these substantial challenges?