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Mediterranean and Middle East

Reshaping EU Democracy Support and Democratic Practices

This edited volume offers a critical analysis of the complex and contested field of European Union democracy support and democratic practices in its Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods. Drawing on…
Christian Achrainer, Vladimir Blaiotta, Giulia Daga, Akram Ezzamouri, Andrea Gawrich, Daniela Huber, Anastasiia Kudlenko, Karim Makdisi, Nona Mikhelidze, Jamil Mouawad, Anna Osypchuk, Michelle Pace, Alexandra Sabou, Sarah Sabra, Fabian Schöppner, Aijan Sharshenova, Anton Suslov

Spotlight

Trump and Netanyahu joint press conference announcing the US peace plan for Gaza

Netanyahu’s Long Game to Reorder the Middle East

As the inspirator of the ongoing war in the Middle East, Netanyahu’s actions must be read through decades of political action.US participation in the war marks the apex of years of manoeuvring in…
Mojtaba Khamenei, Tehran, AFP

The Khamenei Succession: Hereditary Power and Democracy in Iran

The US-Israeli war with Iran risks deepening instability rather than bringing democracy, potentially creating a power vacuum, regional insecurity and further destruction if the Islamic Republic…
Trump signs a Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States at the Palace of Versailles on 17 June 2026

No Deal, No War Is Still Trump’s Way Out of the Iran Catch-22

The US-Iran memorandum addresses the urgent need to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz but leaves most contentious issues unresolved.A long-term US-Iran nuclear agreement remains improbable…

Publications

Data pubblicazione

The Perils of the US-Saudi Nuclear Deal

The Perils of the US-Saudi Nuclear Deal
Autori
Riccardo Alcaro
Details
Rome, IAI, July 2026, 4 p.
In: IAI Commentaries 26|33

Research

The project (September 2025-June 2026) aims at strengthening Italy’s role as a privileged interlocutor between the United States, Europe and key actors in the Middle East, contributing to regional…
Faced with multiple uncertainties, actors and conflicting interests among regional and international players in the Middle Eastern region, Italy and the European Union can play a role in fostering…
In recent months, the Red Sea has become a focal point of the expanding conflict between Israel and Hamas, with repercussions not only on the stability of the Middle East but also on global trade…

Events

Data evento
Registration open
Stretto di Hormuz
Data evento
Data evento

IAI in the media

Stimson: What the US–Saudi Nuclear Agreement May Change and What it May Defer

Martens Centre: “The Iran Knot”: How the War Exposed Italy’s Middle Power Dilemma

TU News: Italy bases use disclosure deepens political risk over U.S. Iran operation

Experts

Maria Luisa Fantappiè

Position
Head of the "Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa" programme
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Loredana Teodorescu

Position
Senior fellow