Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum

#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/iraq-n…

#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-cypr…

#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/off-ra…

#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-…

📣 Cambridge MENAF was pleased to co-host the latest roundtable in our ongoing 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 featured an in-depth exchange with H.E. Mr Osman Koray Ertaş, Turkish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, who shared perspectives on regional geopolitics, security challenges, and Türkiye’s engagement across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. We look forward to continuing this series of discussions with key regional stakeholders, fostering informed and constructive dialogue on evolving regional dynamics. #MiddleEast #EasternMediterranean #Türkiye #RegionalSecurity #ForeignPolicy #AcademicDialogue

📣 Read our recently published analysis articles about the #Iran war in Manara Magazine. Visit manaramagazine.org

In Memoriam: Prof. David Abulafia (1949–2026) Today marks one month since the passing of Professor David Abulafia (1949–2026), a distinguished historian and a valued member of the Advisory Board of the Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum. Professor Abulafia was one of the most eminent historians of the Mediterranean world, whose scholarship reshaped our understanding of cross-cultural exchange, commerce, and connectivity across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. His intellectual range, clarity of thought, and commitment to historical inquiry set a standard that influenced generations of students and scholars. Since joining our Advisory Board, Professor Abulafia offered the Forum wise counsel, thoughtful engagement, and steadfast support. He brought to our work not only academic distinction but also generosity of spirit and a deep belief in the importance of rigorous, historically grounded dialogue about the MENA region. As we mark one month since his passing, we reflect with gratitude on his contribution to our community. His legacy endures in his scholarship, in the students he mentored, and in the intellectual communities he helped shape. Our thoughts remain with his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his life and work.

✍ Read MENAF Senior Fellow on Security and Crisis Dr Gad Yishayahu's discussion about potential political developments between #Syria, #Lebanon and #Israel in @TheNatlInterest. nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-ea…

✍ Continuing discussions as part of MENAF's #CriticalMineralsInitiative. Read John Abbott's analysis about #Niger's uranium mining sector in #ManaraMagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/01/nigers…

#CriticalMineralsInitiative #CriticalMinerals #SupplyChain #EnergyTransition 📣 MENAF Critical Minerals Fellow Dr Guy Kioni is joining Africa @EnergyIndaba's conference in Cape Town to represent MENAF's Critical Minerals Initiative and continue discussions about equitable investment opportunitites in the critical minerals sector. Looking forward to Dr Kioni's contribution.

✍ "For #Türkiye, access to the F-35 is not only about replacing the F-16 but about affirmation of its standing as a full and respected member of the U.S.-led Western alliance." - Read Baran Atilmis' discussion in #ManaraMagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/01/turkiy…

📣 MENAF was pleased to co-host the first in a series of working group discussions with colleagues at @CityStGeorges, University of London, examining #Greece’s strategic priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean and their relevance for the Middle East. The opening session featured an in-depth exchange with H.E. Mr Yannis Tsaousis, Ambassador of Greece to the United Kingdom, who shared insights on regional geopolitics, security, and Greece’s engagement with Middle Eastern partners. This series will continue in the coming months, with future sessions focusing on the perspectives of other key regional stakeholders across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. #MiddleEast #EasternMediterranean #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy #RegionalSecurity #AcademicDialogue

✍ "The question is not if #Iran’s regime changes, but if this allows authority to be moulded from abroad rather than being legitimised by Iranians." - Read Seif A. Harrasy's analysis in #ManaraMagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/01/iran-a…

#Israel's recognition of #Somaliland can lead to the utilization of Berbera for bombers, refuelling, intelligence, and reconnaissance against the #Houthis. - Read Anthony Trad's analysis in #ManaraMagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/01/israel…

"#Hezbollah will be disarmed not in battle, but by the steady removal of conditions that once made its arsenal appear necessary, viable, or legitimate." Read Dr Ofer Israeli's analysis in #manaramagazine. manaramagazine.org/2026/01/how-to…

📢 📺 Watch the analysis and commentary of MENAF Critical Minerals Fellow, Dr Guy Kioni, who joined @CNBCi live this morning with @RitikaGuptaTV to discuss why #Greenland has become the new frontline for #CriticalMinerals and #StrategicSupplyChains. #CMENAF #CriticalMineralsInitiative Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9XzQ…

In #manaramagazine, read Dr John Calabrese's analysis about the tug of war between the Southern Transitional Council and the Presidential Leadership Council in #Yemen, discussing the implications for the country, the region and international stakeholders. manaramagazine.org/2026/01/yemens…