Middle East Council on Global Affairs مجلس الشرق الأوسط للشؤون الدولية

As the world’s attention this week shifts to the US elections and their implications, major developments have occurred in the Horn of Africa. Check our weekly edition here!

Recordings from 'Digital Diplomacy in the Gulf Region: Theory, Practice, and Policy' with The Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South in Doha! Panelists Corneliu Bjola, Banu AKDENIZLI, Ibrahim Al-Hashmi, & Amb. Ghulam Hoosein Asmal explored AI's impact on diplomacy in the Gulf and the Global South. Watch here: https://bit.ly/3Ak5Sj1

Upcoming Webinar: "MENA Youth Voices on Climate Change" Registration: https://lnkd.in/dteJtnz2 🗓️ Tuesday, November 12, 2024 🕓 4:00 PM Doha time 📌 Via Zoom This event is presented in collaboration with Arab Reform Initiative Panelist: Hessa Al Noaimi Co-founder at Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar Lilian Haddad Co-founder at EcoYouth Jordan Oumar Cisse COP28 youth delegate, Co-founder Seedballs Mauritania Omaima Khalil Elfanne Founder & President at Youth For Climate Morocco Moderator Sarine Karajerjian Program Director of the Environmental Politics program at Arab Reform Initiative

Ethiopia’s renewed push for seaport access is fueling tensions in the Horn of Africa. De-escalation will require a coordinated international effort to mediate and address long-standing issues. Yahia Zoubir writes on #Afkar 🔗Full article: https://lnkd.in/dti4Z6Ex

Issue Brief: "Anticorruption in MENA: Insights and Global Comparisons" "To what extent is MENA consistent with the rest of the world regarding the relationships between selected economic and governance indicators and the control of corruption? Does the region follow global trends or have a different trajectory? Drawing on the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), this issue brief explores these questions empirically by examining the WGI data from 2000 to 2020." Authors: Robert Beschel, Isaac Schaider, & Oumeyma Chelbi Full issue brief here: https://lnkd.in/dFY292wf

Happening Today: "The War in Sudan: Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis and Diplomatic Impasse" 🔗 Registration required: https://lnkd.in/dUGa2CX7

Upcoming Webinar: "The War in Sudan: Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis and Diplomatic Impasse" Registration: https://lnkd.in/dKfEDQcd 🗓️ Monday, November 4, 2024 🕓 4:00 PM Doha time 📌 Via Zoom Panelist: Kholood Khair Founding Director of Confluence Advisory Will Carter Sudan Country Director at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Nafisa Eltahir Journalist at Reuters Moderated by Ahmed M. Visiting Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs

EVENT | The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been marked by years of conflict and heightened uncertainty, what are the long-term effects that conflict can have on development and growth? And, finally, what can countries in the region do to accelerate growth despite these challenges? The latest edition of the World Bank's bi-annual MENA Economic Update dives into the economic impact of the Middle East conflict on the Palestinian economy and beyond, highlighting urgent opportunities for growth through reforms in public-private balance, gender equality, and innovation. Join a live discussion to hear answers to these questions and more from experts from the The World Bank, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs مجلس الشرق الأوسط للشؤون الدولية , and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. http://wrld.bg/VUss50TXmHj Speakers: Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for Middle East and North Africa Roberta Gatti, World Bank Chief Economist for Middle East and North Africa Chang-Tai Hsie, Phyllis and Irwin Winkelried Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Tarik Yousef, Senior Fellow and Director at Middle East Council on Global Affairs مجلس الشرق الأوسط للشؤون الدولية Moderator: Merissa Khurma, Program Director of the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center

Northwestern University in Qatar Associate Professor Banu AKDENIZLI shared insights on the evolving landscape of digital diplomacy in the Gulf at an event by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs مجلس الشرق الأوسط للشؤون الدولية and The Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South.    She discussed Qatar's unique challenges in maintaining effective digital communication during critical times, including the Qatar Blockade and COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the delicate balance required to manage engagement while mitigating risks related to conflict, misinformation, and cybersecurity.   Drawing on her research, Banu also highlighted Turkey’s distinctive role as a non-GCC actor that has leveraged digital diplomacy to enhance its strategic presence in the region. Through proactive digital outreach, Turkey has positioned itself as a key player, exemplifying how digital diplomacy can shape international alliances and influence regional narratives.

Thank you to the Middle East Council on Global Affairs مجلس الشرق الأوسط للشؤون الدولية and The Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South for making this event possible! It was a pleasure to moderate this discussion on the theoretical and policy aspects of digital diplomacy, exploring the unique global experiences, including those of the #GCC, #Qatar, #Türkiye, and #SouthAfrica. Hearing from #diplomats about how digital technologies and #AI bring both opportunities and challenges to #Qatar’s role as a #smallstate and #mediator, alongside South Africa’s notable stance in the #ICJ case with real and current examples, was truly fascinating!