The Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore is calling for abstract submissions (not more than 250 words) for a new Insights series dedicated to the latest developments in Israel-Asia relations.

Photo: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea

Specifically, the edited volume aims at uncovering the growing ties – be they political, economic, military, cultural – between Israel and Asian countries. Although much of the scholarship on Israel focuses on its relations with Western countries or its Arab neighbours, the significant rapprochement between Israel and Asia calls for greater research.

Among other indicators, these burgeoning ties are evidenced by China’s involvement in the development of Haifa Port, the rise of Israel-India economic and security cooperation, the expanding bilateral trade between Israel and Indonesia, or, most recently, the establishment of a new quadrilateral forum, dubbed “I2U2” and comprising India, Israel, the UAE, and the US. The MEI Insights series will explore the depth of these various partnerships, and will investigate their political and economic motives, as well as their scope (and limitations).

Some of the questions driving the project include:

• How does Israel think of its Asia policy?
• Does Israel have an Indo-Pacific strategy?
• Seen from Asian powers, what is the added value provided by a partnership with a small Middle Eastern state like Israel?
• Does the survival strategy of Israel inform – if not influence – the policies of small states in Asia?
• Do the Abraham Accords signed by Israel with several Arab states (i.e., the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco) constitute a major factor in reshaping the relations between Israel and Asian states?
• Are there limitations to Israel’s Asia rapprochement?
• How much is the Palestinian issue framing Asian policy discussions on Israel?

Against that backdrop, submission topics include, but need not be confined to:

• The History of Israel-Asian Relations: Jewish Cultural Presence in Asia; Asian Reactions to Israel-Arab Conflicts;
• The Geopolitics of Israel-Asian Relations: Israel and the US-China Competition; Israel & Asian Experiences of Counterterrorism; Israel’s Military Cooperation in Asia; I2U2 and the role of Israel in Asia-Middle East regional arrangements;
• The Economics of Israel’s Ties to Asia: Israel’s Start-up Model and its Inspiration in Asia; Israel’s Arms Trade in Asia; Israel’s Port Development & China’s Belt & Road Initiative.

Contributions can either be designed as case studies (e.g. Israel-Indonesia relations; Israel-South Korea relations) or thematic contributions (e.g. Asian lessons on Israel’s missile defence experience; the role of the Jewish diaspora in shaping Asian views of Israel..).

We are inviting interested persons to submit proposals (not more than 250 words) clearly outlining their main arguments, in either prose or point form, or both. These should reach us by 1 October 2022. These should be sent to meibox1@nus.edu.sg, with the subject field clearly labelled “Israel-Asia Relations”.

For more information regarding submission requirements, please refer to the guidelines. If you have further queries, please email the series editor: Dr. Jean-Loup Samaan / meijcbs@nus.edu.sg