Appel à communications : Iran in the World: Old Challenges and New Opportunities in the Changing Middle East, Melbourne (Australia), 09-10/10/2014 — LIMITE : 13/07/2014

The Middle East has undergone significant change in the past two decades, with a number of new challenges emerging. Iran, as a key player in the Middle East, has not been shielded from these changes. Indeed, the toppling of the Taliban in Afghanistan brought US troops onto Iran’s doorstep, the Arab revolutions have undermined Iran’s ally in Syria, and the growing sectarian tension between Sunni and Shia communities has presented difficult questions for Iranian policy makers. All of this has taken place against a new international setting, where Iran is now seeking relief from sanctions and a resolution to the disagreement over its nuclear program. Given the complexity of these challenges, it is important to explore the road ahead. What options are open to the government of President Hassan Rouhani? How is Iran planning to address these challenges?

Invited speakers include Professor Amin Saikal (ANU), Ambassador Mohammad Farazmand (former-Iranian Ambassador to Bahrain, Institute for Political and International Studies), Dr. Mostafa Zahrani (Institute for Political and International Studies, Tehran)  Ms. Ziba Farzinnia (Institute for Political and International Studies, Tehran), Dr. Naser Ghobazadeh (ACU) and Mr. Brenton Clark (ANU).

The organising committee welcomes the submission of abstracts that look at external pressures on Iran and how the Iranian leadership is responding to these pressures. Papers on Iranian foreign policy formulation, the range of options open to policy makers, and the trajectory of change in foreign policy direction are most encouraged.

Please submit a 200 word abstract and short bio to Dara Conduit (dara.conduit@deakin.edu.au) by the 13th of July, 2014.

For more information, please go to: http://www.deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/centre-for-citizenship-and-globalisation/events/conferences/2014/iran-in-the-world.