The Middle East is rapidly changing and yet turmoil and unrest continue across the region. In such complex scenario, relations between global and regional players are more important than ever. In this context, a issue of particular interest and consequential impact is that of relations between Russia, whose presence in the region has grown significantly, and Iran. On the surface, Russia and Iran appear to share common interests in key regional dossiers, ranging from the survival fo the nuclear deal to the fate of the Assad regime in Syria most notably. However, frictions are around the corner and behind the surface especially in the Arab Levant, where Moscow’s and Tehran’s long-term objectives are hardly compatible.

To explore such a complex issue the Euro-Gulf Information Centre invited Gumer Isaev, from the St. Petersburg Centre for the Contemporary Middle East Studies, to give a talk on January 25 for the series denominated ‘The Middle East in Crisis’, focusing on the most dangerous flashpoints unravelling in the already troubled Middle East and aiming to explore the dynamics behind the continuation or the escalation of current crises. Dr Isaev, alread head of the Center for Contemporary Middle East Studies in Saint Petersburg, is an accomplished researcher, consultant and lecturer, with an extensive experience in living and working in the region - including, most recently, in Turkey and Syria - and a long list of high-level publications.