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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
16
November
2023

Strategic Digital Information Operations, Democracy and Social Cohesion
Professor Ihsan Yilmaz, Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh
25
October
2023

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
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
Dr. Mariam Farida
11
May
2023

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