Throughout history, the Middle East has been locked in engagements with the West through crusades, wars, colonialism and terrorism. However, beyond the clichés and convenient facades lie many lesser known facets from economic transformation to climate change. This series of lectures will give you a more comprehensive overview of the region and its inevitable impacts on Singapore and the rest of globe.

An e-certificate of participation will be awarded to those who attain 75 per cent attendance at the ME 101 Lecture Series 2021.

This series will be conducted weekly, online via Zoom, starting 26 August 2021, 5pm to 6.30pm. All are welcome to participate. This event is free, however, registration is compulsory. Successful registrants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom details closer to the date of the event.

To register for the upcoming lectures, please click HERE.

Lecture Details

Series Introduction: Developments in the Middle East: Why Singapore Should Care
by Ms Michelle Teo [Thursday, 26 August 2021]

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Read the transcript of Ms Teo’s speech and the Q&A.

Lecture #01: Geopolitical Competition in the Middle East | The Gulf States – The Competition for Influence
by Dr Clemens Chay [Thursday, 2 September 2021]

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To access the speaker’s slides for this lecture, you may click here. Read the event summary here.

Lecture #02: Geopolitical Competition in the Middle East | Iran, Turkey, Russia – Allies, Foes or Marriages of Convenience
by Dr Asif Shuja and Dr Serkan Yolacan [Thursday, 9 September 2021]

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Lecture #03: Geopolitical Competition in the Middle East | China – Can the Dragon Tame the Middle East or will the Middle East Tame the Dragon?
by Dr Alessandro Arduino [Thursday, 16 September 2021]

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Lecture #04: Geopolitical Competition in the Middle East | The US and its Allies – Boots on the Ground or Off Platforms
by Dr Jonah Blank [Thursday, 23 September 2021]

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Lecture #05: Geopolitical Competition in the Middle East | Israel – More than Just Palestine
by Dr Kevjn Lim [Thursday, 30 September 2021]

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Lecture #06: The Politics of Economic Reform
 by Ms Rana Karadsheh-Haddad [[NEW DATE] Wednesday, 6 October 2021]

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To access the speaker’s slides for this lecture, you may click here.

Lecture #07: The Challenge Beyond Economics | Renewables as the New Oil or the Geopolitics of Carrots
by Mr Philippe Rose [Thursday, 14 October 2021]

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Lecture #08: The Challenge Beyond Economics | Climate Change in a Desert
by Dr Aisha Al-Sarihi [Thursday, 21 October 2021]

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Lecture #09: The Challenge Beyond Economics | Women and Youth – A Force for Change
by Dr Sharifa Al Yahyai [Thursday, 28 October 2021]

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Lecture #10: Religion and Political Islam in the Middle East and Its Impact on Our Region
by Dr Norshahril bin Saat [Friday, 5 November 2021]
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Please click here for the recommended reading list.

Lecture #11: From Fake News to Fake Journalists: Gulf Disinformation that Fooled the World
by Dr Marc Owen Jones [Thursday, 11 November 2021]
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Lecture #12: The Centrality of Central Asia
by Dr Alessandro Arduino [Thursday, 18 November 2021]
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Closing Session: Everything You Wanted to Know about the Middle East but were Afraid to Ask
by Mr Bilahari Kausikan [Thursday, 25 November 2021]

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For more information about the sessions, please click here.