An expert debate: The Ukraine Crisis and the Middle East: Regional Dynamics, Russian Influence, and Strategic Implications / Dr Eyüp Ersoy
Date: 18 May 2022, 13:00
Venue: Institute of Central Europe, Lublin, ul. Niecała 5
Moderator: dr Jan Muś, Institute of Central Europe in Lublin
Russian invasion of Ukraine has compelled several Middle Eastern states to reassess and readjust their bilateral relations with Moscow as well as their respective regional and global policies. This seminar discusses the responses of five influential Middle Eastern states, i.e. Iran, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. First, it presents the policy responses of each Middle Eastern state to the crisis, and investigates the dynamics behind their respective attitudes. Second, it puts forward a critical examination of the sources of Russian influence in the region, and how these influence sources have constrained the policy options of Middle Eastern states against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Third, it addresses the strategic implications of the Ukraine Crisis for each of the five Middle Eastern states, and the Middle East region in general.
Short Biography: Dr Eyüp Ersoy is a lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Ahi Evran University in Turkey. Dr Ersoy received his BA, MA, and PhD from the Department of International Relations, Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. He studied Arabic at the University of Damascus, and Persian at the Center for Teaching Persian Language. Dr Ersoy previously worked as a senior research fellow at Ankara-based research institutes International Strategic Research Organization (ISRO) and Center for Foreign Policy and Peace Research (CFPPR). Dr Ersoy attended Doha Forum in March 2022 at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. His research interests include power and influence in international relations, middle powers and regional geopolitics, Middle Eastern politics, and Turkish foreign policy.
An expert debate: The Ukraine Crisis and the Middle East: Regional Dynamics, Russian Influence, and Strategic Implications / Dr Eyüp Ersoy