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Middle East
What happens when socio-economic problems mount, protests and religiously-inspired militant mobilization fail, and governance remains authoritarian? These issues sit at the heart of our Middle East research program.
Latest Publications
In the media
Deskundigen zien juridische mogelijkheden voor sancties tegen diensten en investeringen op de Westelijke Jordaanoever / The Rights Forum (May 28, 2026)
Kabinet werkt aan sancties tegen handel met illegale Israëlische nederzettingen / BNR Nieuwsradio (May 27, 2026)
Editor's pick
Reports and papers
Dealing with authoritarian security providers
Policy briefs
Sanctions, governance and reconstruction in Syria
Policy briefs
Saudi and Emirati engagement in Iraq
Policy briefs
China in Iraq
Reports and papers
Strategische Monitor 2025-2030: Geopolitiek changement op het wereldtoneel
Iran in Transition - Blog series
This blog series called Iran in Transition: The Islamic republic is no more while it lives on aims to contribute to open and substantiated debate about possible socio-political directions the country might take.
About the Middle East programme
Clingendael’s Middle East programme is based on three observations. First, poverty, corruption and inequality have increased significantly across the region between 2011 and 2024. Second, authoritarianism remains the modus operandi for governance in all Middle Eastern states, although to different degrees. Third, violent conflict and geopolitical tensions keep recurring in a context of shifting alignments.
