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Middle East Studies Forum

AT DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
RANKED THE TOP INSTITUTION FOR MIDDLE EAST AND ISLAMIC STUDIES RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA IN 2020 AND 2022

The Middle East Studies Forum (MESF) is a leading centre of scholarship on the Middle East at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University. MESF hosts world-class projects and scholarship in the field of Middle East and Central Asian studies and languages.

MESF Latest

News

Dr Abbas Farasoo wins the 2023 APSA PhD Thesis Prize

We would like to congratulate Dr Abbas Farasoo for winning the 2023 Australian Political Studies Association PhD Thesis Prize which is awarded annually to the best PhD dissertation in political science, broadly defined. Dr Farasoo researched ‘The Impacts of Proxy War on Afghanistan’ at Deakin University. The award was formally announced at the APSA 2023 Conference Dinner on November 29.  Learn More

November 30, 2023
TRT World - Why does the US unequivocally support Israel?

Shahram Akbarzadeh from Deakin University talks to TRT World about the US stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict and how its support for Israel affects its relations with the Arab world.  Watch Now

November 23, 2023
Blinken returns to the Middle East seeking restraint

On his latest trip to Israel on Friday (3 Nov), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to voice solidarity but also to reassert the need to minimize Palestinian civilian casualties. Joining us to share his analysis is Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor for the Middle East Studies Forum, at Deakin University.  Listen Now

November 3, 2023
Australia needs to speak-up

To say that Israel has been an occupying power since 1967 and has violated its obligations toward the occupied people of Palestine under international law is not an opinion. It is a fact. And it diminishes Australia’s international standing to suggest otherwise. This article was published in thejakartapost.com.  Read Article

October 31, 2023
US airstrikes heighten concerns about conflict spreading

Heightening concerns about a wider conflict erupting  in the middle east — American fighter jets launched airstrikes on two targets inside Syria, which the United States says are linked to Iran.  Listen

October 27, 2023
Despite its inflammatory rhetoric, Iran is unlikely to attack Israel. Here’s why

Iran’s potential entry into the Gaza war would open a new chapter in hostilities between the enemies – and take the war directly to Iran’s doorstep.

By Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh.  Read article

October 27, 2023
16
November
2023
Strategic Digital Information Operations, Democracy and Social Cohesion

Strategic Digital Information Operations, Democracy and Social Cohesion

Professor Ihsan Yilmaz, Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh

25
October
2023
Politics of Grief: Mothers and Protesters

Politics of Grief: Mothers and Protesters

Dr. Hadeel Abdelhameed, Dr. Ghyath Manhal Alkinani

07
September
2023
MESF & AIIA Panel Discussion: Australia’s Relations with the Middle East

MESF & AIIA Panel Discussion: Australia’s Relations with the Middle East

Mr Alastair Roff, Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh, Professor Sally Totman, Mr Roland Jabbour OAM, Dr Rodger Shanahan, Mr James Bryan

28
August
2023
The Weaponization of Religious Myths: An Ethnography Shi’ite Gendered Narratives

The Weaponization of Religious Myths: An Ethnography Shi’ite Gendered Narratives

Dr. Mariam Farida

30
May
2023
Digital Activism in Authoritarian Contexts

Digital Activism in Authoritarian Contexts

11
May
2023
A Violent Nexus: Religious Fundamentalism, Exclusionary Nationalism, and the Taliban

A Violent Nexus: Religious Fundamentalism, Exclusionary Nationalism, and the Taliban

Dr Niamatullah Ibrahimi