Leadership and Personal Development

Diplomacy in the Middle East Training Course

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is a critically important region due to its geographical and strategic uniqueness along with its natural resources (oil and gas) and young population. Situated between three continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) and hence appropriating the most important trade routes connecting the East to the West, the region since the dawn of human civilization has been the center stage for regional and international competition and has suffered consequently from intensive foreign interference in its own affairs.

 As the world is going through serious developments where multilateral institutions of the post Second World War have failed to face the challenges of the actual emerging chaotic world order, the MENA region has been one of the most affected regions in the world; and is consequently going through very difficult times. While affording MENA geopolitical and pivotal importance, any conflict in the Middle East and North Africa directly impacts not only the stability of the region but also instantly impacts global stability. This may explain why the Middle East is considered the focus of world interests.

The Middle East has developed complex relationships among the regional states and even with the outside world. In order to understand those complex relationships, it is important to understand the diplomacy adopted by the Middle Eastern and North African countries as well as their national and regional institutions. There are specific characteristics among Middle Eastern and North African countries related to their relations among themselves and with the outer world.  In order to understand Middle East diplomacy and the factors that affect its performance, ORSAM Center has decided to offer a training course on Diplomacy in the Middle East.

Outline of the Course:

Week 1) What is diplomacy?  

Week 2) Challenges facing the Middle East Diplomacy

Week 3) The Success of Diplomacy in the Middle East

Week 4) The Failure of Diplomacy in the Middle East

Week 5) The Diplomacy of Turkey

Week 6) The Diplomacy of Saudi Arabia

Week 7) The Diplomacy of Iran

Week 8) The Diplomacy of Saudi Arabia towards the US, Russia, China, and India

Week 9) The Diplomacy of Turkey towards the US, China, Russia and EU

Week 10) Disarmament Diplomacy and Non-Proliferation of WMD

Week 11) The Diplomacy of Iran towards the US, Russia, China, and EU

Week 12) Diplomacy and Conflict in the MENA region

Mohamed El Fatah Naciri
Career Bio: Ambassador Mohamed El Fatah Naciri is a Moroccan diplomat who was born in Cairo and graduated from the Department of Political Sciences at Cairo University. He obtained an MBA from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology (Alexandria). Ambassador Naciri’s professional career started with finance and continued in diplomacy. After years of accepting duties in finance, management and civil aviation, he joined the Political Department of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States as a professional diplomat. Ambassador Naciri served for nearly twenty-five years and accepted duties as follows:

  • Deputy Director of the Americas Department,
  • Deputy Director of the European Affairs Department,
  • Disarmament and Nonproliferation Department; Assisted the Secretariat of the “Israeli Nuclear Armament Commission” tasked to formulate an Agreement for the Establishment of a Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons in the Middle East
  • Director of Asian Affairs and Eastern European Affairs Department
  • Director of International Organizations Department
  • Head of Mission of the League of Arab States to Madrid
  • Director of the European Affairs Department
  • Head of Mission of the League of Arab States to Ankara

During his duty in Turkey, Ambassador Naciri made a significant contribution to the improvement of Turkish-Arab relations as he was in close contact with Turkish academia and think-tanks. He also taught lectures on international relations in various Turkish universities.

Important Dates:

  • Application Deadline: March 12, 2021, Friday – 18:00 GMT +3 İstanbul Time
  • Program Period: Sundays 16:00-18:00, March 14th – May 30th 2021

Venue: Zoom (Relevant links will be sent via e-mail to accepted candidates before the program.)

General Description:

  • Language of the course is English.
  • Course attendance is mandatory, and all participants must attend 80% of all sessions. Participants who attend at least the 80% of all sessions will receive an e-certificate of participation.
  • Registration fee is 350 TL for Turkish Citizens and 100 US Dollars for international attendees.
  • Dear applicants please indicate your full name with the phrase “Diplomacy in the Middle East” in the bank transfer description details and kindly send the receipt to cevdet.ozturk@orsam.org.tr email address for conformation.  

Bank Transfer Details:

  • Turkish Lira

Account Holder:      ORTADOGU ARASTIRMALARI DERNEGI IKTISADI ISLETMESI
Bank Name:            Ziraat Bankasi
IBAN Number:        TR 0500 0100 2486 8886 2022 5001

  • US Dollars

Account Holder:       ORTADOGU ARASTIRMALARI DERNEGI IKTISADI ISLETMESI
Bank Name:             Ziraat Bankasi
Account Number:     2486-88862022-5002
IBAN Number:         TR 7500 0100 2486 8886 2022 5002
Swift Code:              TCZBTR2A

Contact:
Cevdet Yavuz ÖZTÜRK, cevdet.ozturk@orsam.org.tr