Introduction

Since the outbreak of the Arab Revolt in 2010, the Middle East has been afflicted with problems that go with conflicts, underdevelopment and the deficit of governance; security issues have become more intertwined with development in the Middle East, and have triggered increasing spillover effects. Traditional conflicts and non-traditional turmoils resulting from transformation have further added complexity to security governance and development in the region. Diversified security challenges and development problems in the Middle Eastern countries also test East Asian countries’ diplomacy toward the region, which is ushering a new era of its global partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative.

With this in mind, the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, Chinese Association for Middle Eastern Studies and the Middle East Centre at University of Oxford, will jointly host the 6th International Forum on Asia and the Middle East in Shanghai, China, on September 15-16, 2018 (Saturday and Sunday), with the theme of The Middle East Security and Development.

The conference aims at exploring the Middle East governance by exchanging ideas among scholars and researchers. We are convinced that this conference will bring fresh and innovative ideas regarding the Middle East issues, and your participation will not only consolidate the Middle East studies, but also make a great contribution to the Middle East peace and security.

The working language will be mainly English, while the working languages of the morning sessions of September 15 and 16 are Chinese and English, and simultaneous interpretation is provided.

Co-hosts:

The Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University

China Association of Middle East Studies

The Middle East Centre at University of Oxford

Partners:

Shanghai Institutes for International Studies

Institute of International Studies at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences

Center for Turkish Studies at Shanghai University

Center for West Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University

Handbook of the 6th International Forum on Asia and the Middle East