Demography and its interplay with the social structure contribute to the current crises in the Arab world. Indeed, delayed marriage, declining fertility and the rise of school education that underlie both have fostered the birth of the individual and weakened Read More …

After more than 8 years of armed conflict, Syrian regime forces – together with Russian and Iranian allies – have managed to restore their control over most of the territory that was previously held by the opposition forces. In parallel, Read More …

  This executive training focuses on the economic dimensions of civil wars. It explores how economic life changes amid widespread violence and state breakdown. It also addresses how wartime political economic arrangements create durable and remarkably resilient socio-economic mechanisms and Read More …

MEDirections Annual Conference European University Institute, Florence (Italy) Introduction   In addition to the well-known security dimension, years of military strife and state collapse in the Middle East and North Africa have created new economic realities on the ground that are Read More …

The event, featuring the participation of the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Emanuela Claudia Del Re, will bring together the most prominent religious leaders from the Florence region, notable diplomats and academic experts in the field Read More …

A lecture by Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou (Professor of International History, Graduate Institute, Geneva) Followed by a conversation with Prof. Olivier Roy (MEDirections, RSCAS, EUI) Middle East Directions (MEDirections) invites you to attend a lecture by Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou (Professor of Read More …

This Executive Training Seminar focuses on approaches to conflict resolution and peace-building and the role that Europe can play in these processes. The informed audience will be exposed to insights from economics, political science, psychology and organizational behavior, as well Read More …

The workshop is structured into two thematic sessions dedicated to each of the main topics. The first takes the case study of smuggling routes in Libya’s southern, central and coastal regions to analyse how regional specificities dictate the need for Read More …

On 12 May, Iraq witnessed its first parliamentary elections since the demise of IS in the country. Despite the historic momentum, the vote has been shaped by low turnout and a grassroots campaign to boycott the elections. This reflects the Read More …

Many Arab authoritarian regimes have tried to portray themselves as protectors of religious minorities in order to strengthen their political legitimacy, in particular towards the West. This is notably the case with the Syrian regime under Bashar Al-Assad. A similar Read More …