Middle East Centre

Ahmet Davutoğlu, former Prime Minister of Türkiye and expert on international relations, shares his insights on the Gaza crisis and its implications for global order. He discusses the concept of a 'systemic earthquake' in geopolitics and critiques Western complicity in the situation. Davutoğlu elaborates on the shift in U.S. foreign policy post-9/11 and how recent trends in neoconservatism influence current dynamics. He warns that Gaza symbolizes a new colonial phase, emphasizing the urgent need for inclusive governance to counter regional unrest.

Dr. Samer Abdelnour, a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh Business School and co-founder of the Palestinian policy network Shadaka, dives deep into the chilling intersection of Big Tech and warfare. He unveils how companies like Google and Amazon contribute to Israel's surveillance state through projects like Nimbus, which utilize AI for automated targeting. Abdelnour discusses the alarming implications of data collection on Palestinians, arguing that these technologies effectively turn data into deadly weapons, thus normalizing violence and mass killings in Gaza.

The Middle East Centre was honoured to host the 2025 Devaki Jain Lecture. This year’s lecture was delivered by Rana Husseini, Jordanian activist, journalist and author. The Middle East Centre was honoured to host the 2025 Devaki Jain Lecture. This year’s lecture was delivered by Rana Husseini, Jordanian activist, journalist and author. The Devaki Jain lecture series, established in 2015 by Devaki Jain, welcomes esteemed women speakers from the South. Past speakers have included Dr Graça Machel, Professor Eudine Barriteau, and Dr Noeleen Heyzer. Rana Husseini is an internationally recognized human rights activist, gender trainer and a senior journalist with more than 25 years’ experience in the Middle East and North Africa. She has published two books, ‘Murder in the Name of Honour’ and ‘Years of Struggle – The Women’s Movement in Jordan’. This lecture was chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan.

A paper delivered by Rev. Dr Mitri Alraheb at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the MEC on Friday 9 May 2025. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan. A paper delivered by Rev. Dr Mitri Alraheb at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the Middle East Centre on Friday 9 May 2025. The symposium was entitled ‘Toward an Inclusive Archaeological and Historical Narrative of Palestine: The Archaeology and History of Palestine’. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan.

A paper delivered by Dr Hamdan Taha at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the MEC on Friday 9 May 2025. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan. A paper delivered by Dr Hamdan Taha at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the Middle East Centre on Friday 9 May 2025. The symposium was entitled ‘Toward an Inclusive Archaeological and Historical Narrative of Palestine: The Archaeology and History of Palestine’. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan.

Munira Khayyat, a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi and an anthropologist with deep ties to the South Lebanon borderland, shares her insights on the aftermath of conflict in the region. She discusses the profound emotional and ecological consequences of war, weaving personal stories with historical context. The talk highlights the resilience of communities that adapt through agriculture, despite ongoing military challenges, and reflects on collective identity and the fierce spirit of survival in the face of destruction.

A paper delivered by Dr Iman Saca at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the MEC on Friday 9 May 2025. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan. A paper delivered by Dr Iman Saca at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the Middle East Centre on Friday 9 May 2025. The symposium was entitled ‘Toward an Inclusive Archaeological and Historical Narrative of Palestine: The Archaeology and History of Palestine’. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan.

A paper delivered by Dr Issam Nassar at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the MEC on Friday 9 May 2025. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan. A paper delivered by Dr Issam Nassar at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the Middle East Centre on Friday 9 May 2025. The symposium was entitled ‘Toward an Inclusive Archaeological and Historical Narrative of Palestine: The Archaeology and History of Palestine’. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan.

A paper delivered by Dr Mahmoud Hawari at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the MEC on Friday 9 May 2025. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan. A paper delivered by Dr Mahmoud Hawari at the Palestine Research Centre symposium held at the Middle East Centre on Friday 9 May 2025. The symposium was entitled ‘Toward an Inclusive Archaeological and Historical Narrative of Palestine: The Archaeology and History of Palestine’. This paper was part of a panel chaired by Professor Eugene Rogan.

Speech delivered by H.E. Dr Mohammad Shtayyeh, Chairman of the Palestine Research Centre and former Palestinian Prime Minister, at a symposium held at the MEC on Friday 9 May 2025. Speech delivered by H.E. Dr Mohammad Shtayyeh, Chairman of the Palestine Research Centre and former Palestinian Prime Minister, at a symposium held at the MEC on Friday 9 May 2025.The symposium was entitled ‘Toward an Inclusive Archaeological and Historical Narrative of Palestine: The Archaeology and History of Palestine’.