Russia–Middle East Forum Opens in Moscow

The 6th International Expert Forum Russia–Middle East has opened in Moscow. For the sixth consecutive year, the Primakov Center and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences have brought together leading specialists on the region from Russia and abroad.

🗣 This year, the forum has gathered experts, researchers, and heads of analytical centers from 12 countries, including Algeria, the United Kingdom, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Oman, the UAE, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, and Türkiye.

👍 Victoria Karslieva, Executive Director of the Primakov Center, noted:

“Despite all the complexity and conflict in the Middle East, we firmly believe that it is impossible to understand the region, write about it, or formulate expert assessments without listening to the people who live and work there. This is precisely why we gather at this forum — to hear one another, discuss the most pressing issues, and seek common ground. It is especially important for us to bring together experienced experts and young researchers, creating a space for open and meaningful dialogue.”

🤟 Vasily Kuznetsov, Academic Director of the Forum and Deputy Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, added:

“At this forum, we are discussing the key processes that will shape the future of the Middle East. One of the central issues is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Despite the complexity of the current situation, it is clear that the Palestinian question will remain on both the regional and global agenda. Equally important are issues of security in the Gulf, relations among regional states, and the role of external actors. Particular attention should also be paid to political Islam: recent developments have shown that it has not disappeared from politics but continues to evolve and influence regional processes.”

Highlights of the first day included:

🔵 A keynote address by Vitaly Naumkin, Scientific Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies
🔵 A meeting with Georgy Borisenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia
🔵 Thematic sessions on regional security and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
🔵 The presentation of the report “Russia and West Asia Through the Lens of International Experts” — the first Primakov Center study prepared jointly with an international team of authors.

🔵 Read more on our website.

Tomorrow, we continue the conversation about a region that remains one of the key centers of global politics.

#RussiaMiddleEast

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Форум «Россия — Ближний Восток» | День 2

Из Дома приемов форум переместился в Центр Примакова, где участники продолжили разговор о новых контурах региональной безопасности и процессах, определяющих будущее Ближнего Востока.

В центре обсуждения:

🔵 Последствия конфликта в Персидском заливе и его влияние на баланс сил на Ближнем Востоке

🔵 Перспективы формирования новой архитектуры региональной безопасности и будущее ключевых транспортно-логистических маршрутов

🔵 Трансформация политического ислама: от радикальных движений к более прагматичным формам политического участия

Ближний Восток продолжает меняться — и вместе с ним меняются привычные представления о безопасности, политике и региональном лидерстве.

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Russia–Middle East Forum | Day 2

Following the discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reception House, the forum moved to the Primakov Center, where participants continued their dialogue on emerging regional security frameworks and the processes shaping the future of the Middle East.

Key topics included:

🔵 The consequences of the conflict in the Persian Gulf and its impact on the balance of power in the Middle East

🔵 Prospects for a new regional security architecture and the future of key transport and logistics corridors

🔵 The transformation of political Islam, from radical movements to more pragmatic forms of political participation

The Middle East continues to evolve — and with it, traditional perceptions of security, politics and regional leadership are changing as well.

#RussiaMiddleEast

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«Россия — Ближний Восток»: диалог в эпоху перемен 🤝

1–2 июня в Москве прошел VI Международный научно-экспертный форум «Россия — Ближний Восток», организованный Центром Примакова совместно с Институтом востоковедения РАН.

🗣 В этом году форум объединил ведущих экспертов и руководителей аналитических центров из 12 стран — Алжира, Великобритании, Иордании, Ирака, Ирана, Ливана, Омана, ОАЭ, Пакистана, России, Сирии и Турции.

Несколько ключевых фактов:

🔵 2 площадки

Пространствами для обсуждения тенденций в регионе стали Дом приемов МИД России и Центр Примакова.

🔵 2 экспертные встречи

В рамках форума состоялись встречи с заместителем министра иностранных дел России Георгием Борисенко и академиком РАН, научным руководителем Института востоковедения РАН Виталием Наумкиным.

🔵 4 экспертные сессии

Участники рассмотрели перспективы формирования новой архитектуры безопасности на Ближнем Востоке, возможные сценарии развития палестино-израильского конфликта, новые контуры влияния в регионе и факторы, которые будут определять политические процессы в ближайшие годы.

🔵 Десятки часов дискуссий и обмена мнениями

Форум вновь стал пространством открытого профессионального диалога между исследователями, аналитиками и дипломатами из разных стран. К обсуждению ключевых тем ближневосточной повестки также присоединились представители десятка российских и зарубежных СМИ.

Одним из ключевых событий стала презентация доклада Центра Примакова «Россия и Западная Азия в оценках международных экспертов». Это первое исследование Центра, подготовленное в широком соавторстве с зарубежными специалистами.

Спасибо всем участникам, партнерам и экспертам, которые сделали форум содержательным, открытым и по-настоящему международным. До встречи через год!

#RussiaMiddleEast

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Russia–Middle East: Dialogue in an Era of Change🤝

On 1–2 June, Moscow hosted the 6th International Scientific and Expert Forum Russia–Middle East, organized by the Primakov Center in cooperation with the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

🗣 This year, the forum brought together leading experts and heads of analytical centers from 12 countries — Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

A few key highlights:

🔵 2 venues

The Reception House of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Primakov Center served as platforms for discussions on the key trends shaping the region.

🔵 2 expert meetings

Participants had the opportunity to engage with Georgy Borisenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and Vitaly Naumkin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Scientific Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies.

🔵 4 expert sessions

Participants explored prospects for a new regional security architecture in the Middle East, possible scenarios for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, emerging regional dynamics, and the factors likely to shape political developments in the years ahead.

🔵 Dozens of hours of discussions and exchange of views

The forum once again provided a platform for open and professional dialogue among researchers, analysts, and diplomats from different countries. Representatives of around a dozen Russian and international media outlets also joined the discussions on key issues shaping the Middle East agenda.

One of the forum’s major events was the presentation of the Primakov Center report “Russia and West Asia Through the Eyes of International Experts.” It is the Center’s first study prepared in broad cooperation with foreign specialists.

Our sincere thanks to all participants, partners, and experts who made the forum insightful, open, and truly international. See you next year!

#RussiaMiddleEast

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