☀️🔋 Can solar power transform Iraq’s energy future? In his latest article for @Forbes, Joseph Hammond, Fellow at Cambridge MENAF, explores how off-grid solar projects in Iraqi Kurdistan are challenging reliance on diesel generators and bringing cleaner, more reliable electricity to rural communities. 🌍 Read his insights: forbes.com/sites/josephhammo… #Iraq #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #CriticalMineralsInitiative

🖋️ Could armed separatism derail Iran’s democratic future? In his latest analysis for Manara Magazine, Arash Beidollahkhani examines how legitimate minority grievances can be addressed while warning that armed separatism and foreign intervention could deepen divisions and undermine democratic change. 🌍 📖 Read more: manaramagazine.org/2026/10/s… #Iran #Democracy #MiddleEast #Geopolitics

📢 New Research Paper | Fearless Voices Marking the anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini’s death, our latest research explores how Iranian women journalists have challenged censorship and shaped public debate—from 1979 to Woman, Life, Freedom. By Djanan Deghati, inaugural Mahsa Jina Amini Fellow, supervised by Dr Nina Ansary, Iranian American author, historian & women’s rights advocate, and Director of MENAF’s Women’s Leadership Initiative. 🔗 cmenaf.org/policy-paper-fear… #MahsaAmini #WomanLifeFreedom #Iran

#CriticalMinerals #Defence #AI #Geopolitics A timely piece from @Defence_blog on how AI is reshaping the US defence industrial base and the growing role of startups in that transformation. Read MENAF Critical Minerals Fellow Dr Guy Kioni's contribution on AI's ability to compress the learning curve in critical-mineral processing and industrial capacity. - defence-blog.com/ai-startups…

In Memoriam: Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale (1936-2026) We are deeply saddened by the passing of Meta Ramsay, The Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale (1936–2026), a valued member of our Advisory Board and a distinguished figure in British public life, diplomacy, and international affairs. Baroness Ramsay devoted much of her life to public service. Over a remarkable career spanning diplomacy, intelligence, and politics, she served for more than two decades with the Secret Intelligence Service before becoming a foreign policy adviser to the Labour Party. In 1996, she was appointed to the House of Lords, where she contributed extensively to matters of foreign affairs, national security, and intelligence. Throughout her career, Baroness Ramsay brought formidable experience and judgement to the institutions she served. Yet despite her extraordinary career and accomplishments, she remained remarkably approachable and down to earth. She combined a sharp understanding of international affairs with warmth, kindness, and a genuine interest in the people and causes around her. As a member of our Advisory Board, Baroness Ramsay was always generous with her time and ready to support the Forum whenever called upon. She took a genuine interest in our work and was unfailingly willing to offer guidance, encouragement, and practical help. We were privileged to benefit not only from her considerable experience, but also from the warmth and generosity with which she shared it. As we remember Baroness Ramsay, we honour an extraordinary life of public service and remain deeply grateful for her contribution to the Forum. We will remember her not only for the distinction of her career, but for her kindness, approachability, and steadfast support for our work. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all who continue to mourn her loss.

Later today | #MENAFevents 🌍 Register and join us for our online discussion: cmenaf.org/event/iraq-in-a-c… Iraq at a Crossroads: Regional Shifts and Strategic Challenges

🎙️ Dr. Gad Yishayahu, Senior Fellow and Lead Researcher on Security and Crisis at Cambridge MENAF, will join our upcoming panel, "China, Energy and Geopolitics during the Middle East Crisis." A specialist in foreign policy crises and crisis management, Dr. Yishayahu will share insights on how regional crises shape geopolitical decision-making, security dynamics, and international relations. 📅 11 June 2026 💻 Online Register: cmenaf.org/event/china-energ… #MiddleEast #China #EnergySecurity #Geopolitics

🎙️ Dr. Liu Jia (@MEI_NUS) will join our upcoming panel, China, Energy and Geopolitics during the Middle East Crisis. A specialist in China–Middle East relations and the politics of the Persian-speaking world, Dr. Liu will share insights on China's engagement with the region amid evolving energy and geopolitical challenges. 📅 11 June 2026 💻 Online Register: cmenaf.org/event/china-energ…

🎙️ Dr. Hongda Fan (@MEI_NUS), a leading expert on Middle Eastern affairs, with a focus on Iran, Israel, and regional geopolitics, will join our upcoming event as a panellist. Drawing on extensive fieldwork across the Middle East and decades of research, Dr. Fan will share insights on China's role in the region amid evolving energy and geopolitical challenges. 📅 11 June 2026 💻 Online Register: cmenaf.org/event/china-energ… #MiddleEast #China #EnergySecurity #Geopolitics

#MENAFevents 🌍⚡️ Join us for an online discussion on “China and the Middle East in a Time of Crisis”, co-hosted with the Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore (NUS). @NUSingapore @MEI_NUS The panel will unpack China’s evolving role in the Middle East amid ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, exploring implications for energy security, regional stability, and great power competition. Featuring insights from Dr Liu Jia and Dr Gad Yishayahu. 📍 Online on Zoom 🎟️ Register now to join the conversation: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…

📣 Cambridge MENAF was pleased to co-host the latest roundtable in our working group series with colleagues at @CityStGeorges, University of London, examining strategic dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean and their wider relevance for the Middle East. This session, “Navigating the Middle Eastern Polycrisis: Implications for British Foreign and Defence Policy”, featured insightful discussion with Robert Clark (@RobertClark87) and Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) on the UK’s evolving strategic posture in the Middle East, regional security challenges, and the implications of shifting geopolitical dynamics across the Eastern Mediterranean, including Britain’s hard power capabilities, force projection, and military deployment capacities and timelines. #MiddleEast #EasternMediterranean #UK #ForeignPolicy #Defence #RegionalSecurity #Geopolitics #AcademicDialogue

#Syria Read Ola Rifai's analysis in #manaramagazine: manaramagazine.org/2026/04/s… Ola will join MENAF for tomorrow's online event on "Syria in Transition: War, Power, and Strategic Shifts". Find more information and register for the event via our website: cmenaf.org/event/syria-in-tr…

#MENAFevents Join us for "Syria in Transition: War, Power, and Strategic Shifts", an online discussion unpacking regime-building, security challenges, and the future of governance in Syria. Featuring insights from Ola Rifai, Haian Dukhan, and Yassmine Tlass. 📍 Online on Zoom 🎟️ Register now to join the conversation: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi… #Syria #MiddleEast #Politics #ConflictStudies #Webinar

#US #Israel #Iran #Gulf "The way this war began, and the logic it has followed, offer a set of key operational insights into American and Israeli strategy." Read MENAF Senior Fellow Dr Gad Yishayahu's analysis about the Iran war in @TheNatlInterest. nationalinterest.org/blog/mi…

#Iraq #US #Iran #war #PMF "For the Iraqi government, the challenge is not only military or political, but structural. It must respond to external strikes on forces it considers part of its own military, while simultaneously facing internal actors that operate with a degree of autonomy." Read Dr. Hazim M. Hamed's commentary in #manaramagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/03/i…

#Cyprus #EastMed #MiddleEast #peaceprocess "The Cypriot peace process has shown itself to be unpredictable over the past 50 years...There are nonetheless some signs of progress (and even optimism) regarding the island’s future." - Read Dr. Mark Barrow's analysis in #manaramagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/03/a…

#Iran #Gulf #war #security "A regional ceasefire safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz could lay the foundation for negotiating a security and economic architecture for the region." - Read David W. Lesch and William Ury's article in #manaramagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/03/o…

#Iran #Israel #US #GCC #China #Russia #war #MiddleEast "The 2026 Iran War: What's Next?", MENAF's policy insight on the ongoing war in the Middle East, is now available on our website. Read the paper online or download it at: cmenaf.org/the-2026-iran-war…