Research & Analysis

Conference Summary

The conference builds on an EISMENA report funded by Vision Education examining women’s living conditions in Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. It highlights both the challenges women face and their progress since 2003 in areas like empowerment, civil society, legislation, economic opportunities, and security. The conference aims to promote dialogue and strengthen women’s roles and rights in both regions.

How Legal Reforms in Iraq’s Personal Status Law Institutionalise Sectarianism and Threaten Women’s Rights

In this article, Hiyam Ali analyses the proposed amendments to Iraq's Personal Status Law that could institutionalize sectarianism and undermine women's rights.

Analysis

Ali al-Taher: a ridge becoming a military and political lock at the South of Lebanon 

Alexandre Aoun is specialist in non-state movements and the transformation taking place in the Arab world, in this article he takes us behind the scenes of what is unfolding in Ali al-Taher. Based in Lebanon, where he experiences the consequences of this war on a daily basis, our researcher provides a particular insightful framework for understanding the military, political and geopolitical dimensions of the battle unfolding around Ali al-Taher.

News

What Exactly is the Third Phase in the Conflict Between the US and Iran?

Speaking on BFM, EISMENA Director, Adel Bakawan explains why the US–Iran conflict has entered a third phase centered on economic blockade and secondary sanctions.

Trump’s Most Powerful Weapon Against Iran Is Not Military

Speaking on France 24, EISMENA Director Dr Adel Bakawan explains how the United States is seeking to strike Iran’s informal “resistance economy,” while both sides avoid actions that could trigger a wider military escalation.

Who we have met

Events

It’s Time to Think France

Adel Bakawan, Director of EISMENA, was invited to speak at an event hosted by It’s Time to Think France, cultural movement dedicated to promoting freedom of thought and critical thinking through inspiring voices and meaningful encounters. The discussion focused on geopolitics in the Middle East and North Africa, offering insights into the region’s shifting dynamics, current tensions, and future challenges. This event took place May 16th, 2026 in Paris, France

Annual Paris Book Festival

Dr. Adel Bakawan and the team were invited to the annual Book Festival. The objective was to meet avid readers and exchange on the topic of his book while giving autographs.  This event took place on April 17th, 2026,  in Paris, France.

Seminar on Iraq

Dr. Adel Bakawan was the guest speaker at a conference organized by Chrétien d’Orient on the ongoing dynamics of the Iraqi contemporary landscape since the war in Iran. He was able to answer questions of the participants. This event took place on April 10th, 2026, online, Paris, France.

Videos

Is the Middle East Being Redrawn? States, Militias & a Fragmenting Regional Order with Barah Mikail

What has become of the state in the Middle East and North Africa since the Arab uprisings of 2011?

Can Europe Become the Gulf’s Most Reliable Partner? With Eszter Karacsony

How is the EU repositioning itself in the Gulf amid growing regional instability and shifting confidence in the United States?

Iran and Israel: The Ideological War Since 1979 with Author Clément Therme

In this EISMENA interview, Lyna and Maxime speak with Clément Therme about his book Iran-Israël : la guerre idéologique de 1979 à nos jours, published by Tallandier.

In The Media

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