Wilson Center
From Egypt to Iran: The History of Nuclear Politics in the Middle East
In the second panel of the new GMES series, Mahsa Rouhi and Hassan Elbahtimy lead a panel on the history of nuclear politics in the Middle East, focusing specifically on Iran and Egypt, respectively. They are joined by discussants Or Rabinowitz and Eliza Gheorghe.
Overview
The second event of the new Global Middle East Seminar series, organized in partnership with the Center for Russian Studies at Bilkent University and co-sponsored by the Middle East Program, features panelists Dr. Mahsa Rouhi – a research fellow at the National Defense University—and Dr. Hassan Elbahtimy – a Senior Lecturer at Kings College. Joining them is assistant professor of international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Dr. Or Rabinowitz and Assistant Professor in the International Relations Department at Bilkent University, Dr. Eliza Gheorghe. The panelists will discuss the shifting nuclear terrain of the Middle East region, focusing specifically on Egypt and Iran. Both countries began their nuclear programs in the 1950s. Egypt has been a leading proponent of establishing a Zone Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East and is unlikely to seek nuclear weapons. Iran, however, is at a crossroads. While there is uncertainty around whether the JCPOA can be revived, we are approaching a new round of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. It is critical to look back at the history of previous negotiations and Iran’s nuclear policy. Understanding the lessons learnt can guide policy choices and optimize Untied States and International communities’ strategy to ensure advancing non-proliferations goals with regards to Iran and the Middle East.
Speakers
Panelists
Hosted By
History and Public Policy Program
The History and Public Policy Program makes public the primary source record of 20th and 21st century international history from repositories around the world, facilitates scholarship based on those records, and uses these materials to provide context for classroom, public, and policy debates on global affairs. Read more
Middle East Program
The Wilson Center’s Middle East Program serves as a crucial resource for the policymaking community and beyond, providing analyses and research that helps inform US foreign policymaking, stimulates public debate, and expands knowledge about issues in the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Read more
Nuclear Proliferation International History Project
The Nuclear Proliferation International History Project is a global network of individuals and institutions engaged in the study of international nuclear history through archival documents, oral history interviews, and other empirical sources. At the Wilson Center, it is part of the Wilson Center's History and Public Policy Program. Read more
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