This interdisciplinary course provides an introduction to the international politics of the Middle East. It combines the study of international relations with the understanding of transnational politics (e.g. pan-Arabism, pan-Islamism), inter-state conflict (e.g. the Persian Gulf Wars, the conflict in Israel/Palestine etc.), foreign policy of major regional states (Iran, Turkey, Iraq etc.) and “superpower” politics.

The course thus investigates both the factors involved in the making of international politics in the area, and the methods and concepts used to understand them. To that end, it introduces students to the discourse of “Orientalism”, theories of international relations such as (neo)realism and social constructivism and other approaches that are relevant to an in-depth enquiry into the complex interactions within the region.

The course will be held between 2 and 6 September, 2019, and will be coordinated by CEI-IUL researchers Giulia Daniele and Bruno Cardoso Reis. It will have a duration of 20 hours, running from Monday to Friday between 2:30 p.m. to 19:00.p.m. The course is organised by the Center for International Studies and is aimed at university students, diplomats, the military, and professionals involved in Middle East affairs.

Join us to study and discuss the central role of this region in today’s international relations.