The project supported the publication of two important papers on the manuscript Mashhad Astan Quds 5325. This work resulted in the first edition of an Arabic treatise in premodern algebra contained in this manuscript. Since the manuscript is not available in facsimile or digital format, this work makes the text generally available to scholars. The critical edition was published by Sesiano, and both Sesiano and Oaks produced translations and studies of the text. Although they worked with the same source text, they came to rather different interpretations of the content – particularly in regards to the background and intention of the anonymous author. (In fact, the two authors worked entirely independently, as is explained in the editorial to the journal: https://sciamvs.org/files/SCIAMVS_24_000-iii_editorial.pdf.) The Oaks paper also provides a generally useful introduction on the nature of premodern algebra.
Project outputs:
The project resulted in the publication of SCIAMVS vol. 24, and its distribution to major national and university libraries, as well as individual scholars of the premodern sciences in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
The project also funded Open Access for the two papers discussed above (sciamvs.org/2024.html).
J. Sesiano, 2024. “An Arabic Algebraic Compendium of 1000 CE,” SCIAMVS 24, 41–157.
J. Oaks, 2024.“An anonymous treatise on algebra from 395H/1004-5 CE: Translation and Commentary,” SCIAMVS 24, 159–228.
Nathan Sidoli, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
The project explores how to facilitate increased sport participation among women in Qatar by drawing a comparison between Japan and Qatar. This study attempts to draw inferences between these two nations, focusing particularly on social and cultural environments, in addition to public initiatives, to understand how progress can be made through policies, programmes, and investments to promote women’s sports.
To facilitate the collection of data for this research, the following activities have taken place during the project period:
This study adopts a qualitative method of face-to face interview to establish understanding of challenges facing women’s sports participation in both countries. Using snowballing sampling, data were collected through in-depth interviews with 10 women sports participants from each respective country. These included amateur participants aged 18 years old and above. Without the limitation of specific demographic outlook in the recruitment of participants, it facilitated a ground up research outcome of the experience of women participating in sports.
To discuss and disseminate the initial findings of the data collected, a workshop was held on 25 February 2025 at Waseda University. In attendance of scholars, industry experts and students, the workshop facilitated foundational understanding of women’s sportscape in both countries and discussed barriers for women in sport participation. Recommendations to negate barriers to increase involvement of women in sport participation were proposed. The outcome of the discussion will be encompassed in the findings of the manuscript for journal submission. This workshop also initiated an interest group for networking, knowledge sharing and exchange in the area of women’s participation in sport.
Dr. Christos Anagnostopoulos presented at the 2025 International Association for Communication and Sport (IACS) Summit on Communication and Sport, held from March 13-15 in Chicago, Illinois (see here: https://www.communicationandsport.com/2025). His presentation primarily focused on the case of Qatar, as the findings from Japan are still undergoing examination. Engaging with fellow scholars in the field provided valuable insights and fostered enriching discussions on the intersection of communication and sport.
Women’s participation in physical sports activity is often influenced by a complex interplay of cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors. This study attempts to draw inferences between these two nations where there are similarities in terms of Japan’s and Qatar’s cultural and social norms among women. Both countries have traditionally patriarchal societies where women’s roles have been more centered on the home and family. There are persistent gender stereotypes and social pressure around women’s involvement in sports, especially in more physically demanding or “masculine” sports. Initial findings from the research revealed that these factors have hindered the pursuit of sporting activities among women. While both countries are making concerted efforts in recent decades to increase women’s sports participation, women remained vastly underrepresented in sports in both nations.
Donna Wong, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Sports Sciences, Waseda University
To describe the Islamic conflict resolution, Said, Funk and Kadyifci call it “peace through the power of communication” (2001: 17). Similar to the Sulh(a) process for conflict resolution in Arab-Islamic communities (Pely 2016), my research outcome demonstrates that the core elements of conflict resolution in Muslim Mindanao communities in the Philippines is composed of elders’ advisory wisdom for community unity/harmony, their consultative approach, and the oneness of Allah. These Islamic values are practiced based on the traditional customary law or Adat – the Sulu Code from the Sulu Sultanate and Luwaran from the Maguindanao Sultanate in the 18thcentury. Historically, the sultanate kingdoms wrote the Codes, both citing the value of the Quran. My Adat research in Muslim Mindanao communities illustrates that local elders utilize most articles in the Codes in family disputes and communal conflict resolution through practicing consultative mediation. This traditional Adat is partially included in the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 1083); however, the settlement process parallels the Philippine national legal system. Most of the time, elders communicate with conflicting parties to reach a settlement and build peace independently.
During and after a half-century of armed struggle, my research outcome points out that the Muslim social fabric remained rooted in traditional Islamic values. The consultative mediation process was extended to communicate with various stakeholders for peacebuilding and local governance in the post-peace agreement society, which was signed to end a Muslim secessionist movement in 2014. Elders highlight their cultural rights as a minority group in the Christian-dominated Philippine government, while elders emphasized their Muslim common grounds to unite 13 ethnolinguistic Muslim groups under the regional Muslim autonomous region. The primary element of Islamic values is the Muslim brotherhood under the oneness of Allah. The transitional authority, led by a signatory of the peace agreement – the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF, inspired by the Muslim Brothers ideology), values the ‘Moral Governance.’ It is the MILF’s governance campaign slogan, but reality is, the MILF cadres explained, is Islamization in governance: participatory decision making and rebuilding halal (Islamic sin free) society based on Islamic teachings. To govern the Muslim masses, elders mobilize the traditional social fabric and cite the Quran (Surah An-Nisa-Ayah 58, 59), then call, “follow our leader.” As traditionally practiced, the majority of rural Muslim masses follow the local leaders/elders who mediate their communal conflict for their community/regional peacebuilding. In the liberal peacebuilding activities, elders blend their endogenous Islamic social fabric and develop their Islamic peacebuilding contextually.
However, some division among non-MILF, traditional Muslim stakeholders, and MILF themselves threat peace. It is further necessary to delve into the conflict knowledge on the expression, perception and interpretation of their ‘Islamness’ among Muslim elders and seek their common grounds for peacebuilding.
Reference:
Pely, D. (2016). Muslim/Arab Mediation and Conflict Resolution: Understanding Sulha, Routledge.
Said, Abdul Aziz, Nathan C. Funk, Ayse S. Kadayifci (2001). Peace and Conflict Resolution in Islam: Precept and Practice, University Press of America.
Megumi Kagawa, Professor, School of Social Sciences, Waseda University
This research project aims to explore the interactions between transnational mass media and anti-colonial movements in the mid-20th-century Islamic world, focusing on the case of Morocco. The research approaches the question of how the Moroccan anti-colonial resistance engaged with transnational radio broadcasting from three primary perspectives: (1) the role of radio broadcasting for Moroccan activists based in Cairo during the late 1940s to 1956, (2) the international diplomacy over transnational radio broadcasting, and (3) Moroccan domestic radio listenership.
Key Findings
(1) The connection between Moroccan anti-colonial propaganda and Cairo-based radio broadcasting:
At the Egyptian National Library, daily radio programs from Radio Cairo and Voice of the Arabs (Ṣawt al-‘Arab) were examined using periodicals such as Al-Ahrām and Al-Idhā‘a. These materials reveal precise broadcast schedules that featured Moroccan nationalist activists, such as ‘Allāl al-Fāsī, illustrating how North African decolonization became a recurring theme in Arab media.
(2) French Response and Diplomacy:
Diplomatic and intelligence archives (folders: 1MA/1/179, 1MA/200/188, 1MA/200/611-612, etc.) consulted in the Archives Diplomatiques in France expose the systematic monitoring of Arabic radio programs and listenership by French authorities since the 1930s. They feared the “insidious effect” of Arabic broadcasts and utilized various strategies like counter-propaganda through Radio Maroc and jamming anti-French content.
(3) Domestic Radio Listenership in Morocco:
The French intelligence documents also demonstrate how and where exactly Moroccan populations purchased radio receivers and listened to the radio. Periodicals collected at the Bibliothèque Nationale du Royaume du Maroc record programs of Radio Maroc, highlighting French strategic efforts to reach diverse populations in Arabic, French, and Amazigh. Local radio introductions and the experience of listening to transnational broadcasts are depicted in memories and novels (for example, My Larbi Raji, Le Maroc et mon enfance).
Research Outputs
Based on the research findings, the multiple roles of transnational radio broadcasting in the Moroccan liberation movement were presented at the following academic events:
– Middle East Studies Association 58th Annual Meeting (Online, November 11, 2024): “Nationalism on Air: Moroccan Independence Movement and International Radio Broadcasting.”
– Research Seminar “Histoire Contemporaine du Maroc (XIX–XXI): Historiographies, Sources & Méthodes” held at L’École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris (March 18, 2025): “Tuning In to Cairo: Transnational Radio and Moroccan Independence Movement.”
An English article based on these presentations is being prepared for submission to the International Journal of Middle East Studies.
Fumika Watanabe, PhD Student, Graduate School of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Waseda University
Heinrich Friedrich Diez (1751–1817) is primarily known today as the author of Denkwürdigkeiten von Asien (‘Memoirs of Asia’, 1811/15) and as the translator of the Kabus Nameh (1811). The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe consulted him as an advisor while working on the West-Eastern Divan and acknowledged his contributions in the notes and annotations to the Divan. In 1784, Diez was appointed as Prussian Chargé d’Affaires to Constantinople, where he attempted to negotiate an alliance treaty. During this time, he maintained a personal correspondence with Christian Konrad Wilhelm Dohm, known for his book Ueber die bürgerliche Verbesserung der Juden (‘On the Civic Improvement of the Jews’, 2 vols., 1781/83). However, significant parts of this correspondence are written in ciphers, particularly passages in which Diez discusses political topics.
Although self-taught, Diez was recognized as one of the most significant Orientalists of his time. His correspondence with Dohm provides insight not only into his personal opinions and views but also into the content and progress of his Oriental studies. Additionally, it offers a glimpse into the political context during the Russo-Turkish War and the diplomatic efforts to establish an alliance between Prussia and the Ottoman Empire.
It is important to note that Edward Said’s influential study Orientalism (1978) largely overlooked German Orientalism, which remains a desideratum. In this context, Diez is an important figure, as evidenced by his dispute with the Viennese Orientalist Hammer-Purgstall, illustrating that he was an unorthodox and non-academic thinker who operated in both scientific and political spheres.
The research project examined the writings and correspondence of this philosopher, diplomat, and Orientalist. His correspondence (in German and partly in French) includes letters to Orientalists such as Oluf G. Tychsen and letters of political content that Diez wrote as a Prussian envoy at the ‘Sublime Porte’ to the Enlightenment philosopher C. W. Dohm. After his diplomatic career, Diez retired as a private scholar and devoted himself to studying Islamic literature and culture. His extensive collection of books and manuscripts is one of the outstanding scholarly libraries at the Berlin State Library.
The applicant made two research trips to Berlin in winter 2024 and March 2025 to study Diez’s estate and other related documents at the State Library. He also organized a workshop in Berlin to discuss the outcome of his research with his research collaborators. The focus of the research was on the annotated edition of Diez’s complete correspondence. The work for the edition has been finished and a contract for its publication has been signed with the publishing house de Gruyter. This edition will provide a closer look not only at Diez’s personality as an Orientalist but also at his literary and diplomatic work, as well as his importance as a collector of rare Islamic books.
The applicant wrote an essay about the encrypted correspondence with Dohm for an anthology on cryptography in German, as well as an article highlighting the historical relevance of this correspondence for a scientific journal in English. The German text has already been accepted for publication. The English article is still under review for the Oxford journal ‘Historical Research’.
Arne Klawitter, Professor, Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Waseda University
This project examines whether regional security complex theory (RSCT) might provide a basis for understanding and dissecting the concept of the “Indo-Pacific” as a region, and will offer an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of he RSCT approach in this respect. The RSCT concept argues that states’ security focuses remain primarily within their geographical neighborhoods. However, the concept also needs further refinement, in our view, to account for the changing global power balance, the overlapping of many security complexes, and questions over new and emerging complexes and subcomplexes. It is our intention to provide this reassessment and revision of the concept, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. An initial survey and testing of our arguments at the Waseda/ULB workshop in early 2023 confirmed the potential for it, and our intention now is to hold a workshop in early Year 3 of the project, leading to an edited volume as the research outcome, hopefully appearing in 2025.
Mathew Gray, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
Paul Bacon, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
This project will to mould a trilateral relationship between Qatar University, Waseda University, and E-JUST in heritage studies, thereby jointly deepening academic exchange under the theme of Heritage Science Studies in the Middle East. Every year we plan to hold a research workshop and joint research meeting on various topics of Heritage Science, including those such as the conservation and restoration of archaeological sites and artifacts, studies of intangible cultural assets, utilization of state-of-the-art equipment, museology, museum management, etc., at one of these three universities. Moreover, we will also go out into the field or local museums for hands-on training for young post-doctoral researchers and graduate students who will participate in these academic exchanges: one of our goals is to take these young scholars out into the field or museums and train them there. At this time, we would like to host the first-year meeting in Japan, the second year in Qatar, and the third year in Egypt. Furthermore, the results of these conferences and meetings will be published for the world to see.
Testuya Otoshi, Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Waseda University
This study aims to investigate the consciousness and behavior regarding university degrees in the Middle East by applying a quantitative and qualitative approach to five countries in the region.
Middle Eastern countries have witnessed phenomena such as a rapid increase in university degree holders, a mismatch between education and demand in the labor market, a stagnation of the labor market, high unemployment rates among university graduates, and overeducation (over qualification). Such phenomena Paradoxically, the more the value of university degrees in the labor market depreciates, the more people seek higher education degrees have undermined the effectiveness of university degrees in obtaining employment and the social status associated with it, though the extent of these phenomena varies by country. ..
Degree inflation and over-education are rampant in the region, and people have realized that a degree no longer guarantees a job, social status, or a bright future. Still, the number of people seeking degrees has not decreased, and the government continues to build more higher learning institutions to meet people’s demands.
Why do people seek a degree even though degree-based meritocracy is not fully established and the opportunities for getting a prestigious job are scarce? Why do more women seek a university degree even though their labor participation rate is much lower than that of men? Do men and women expect the same benefit from a university degree? Why are people asked to obtain a university degree, although it does not necessarily guarantee higher social status? Why do people think having a degree itself is valuable? To what extent do people believe their degree will foster possibilities in their life? If there is anything other than a profession and social prestige that a degree engenders,what is it? We hope this study will deepen our understanding of the attitudes and awareness of Middle Eastern people toward degrees.
The aim of this project is to understand the origins in the crusading period of Middle Eastern perspectives on non-Muslims and their development from that time until today. Focusing primarily on Arabic language chronicles, it will explore how the crusaders are presented, where and how the images ideas and tropes originated, and the impact they have had and continue to have on Muslim relations with non-Muslims today.
Building on the recent success of scholars around the world, the main questions that it will address are:
In order to answer these questions, this project will produce a number of related outputs based on a close reading of the evidence from across time and space, taking an inter- and multidisciplinary approach based particularly on history, historiography, and area studies. focus particularly on Arabic chronicles, in addition to other sources such as poetry, religious texts, and travel accounts. In so doing, its outputs are expected to help lay the foundations for future studies by scholars in a range of fields, including Middle Eastern history , Arabic historiography, crusader studies, and contemporary Islamic studies.
The aim of this project is to revise the history of transnational encounters among intellectuals by examining these interactions through the interconnected lenses of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian intellectuals and their networks. These networks, often established during early periods of study abroad, proved remarkably durable over the decades.
While a wealth of existing research has already illuminated facets of these encounters these studies often focus on individual dyadic exchanges, such as those between European and Japanese intellectuals or European and Muslim thinkers, primarily within the tumultuous era of the world wars and the interwar period. Furthermore, the transnational scope of intellectuals displaced or compelled to relocate during the early decades of the 20th century has been astutely examined.
However, what is conspicuously absent in the existing literature is a unified analytical perspective that considers all three groups—European, Middle Eastern, and Asian intellectuals—in their various interactions.The sustained intellectual exchanges between these groups, as identified through previous collaborations among the project’s participants, reveal an intricate web of connections. These networks often originated in key intellectual hubs such as Berlin, Brussels, Cairo, London, New York, Shanghai, Paris, and Tokyo—a city whose global significance during the prewar era has been regrettably overlooked—as well as colonial metropolises like Singapore. This project will not only take a bold transnational approach but also adopts a trans-war perspective, consciously transcending the traditional historiographical “watersheds” of 1918/19 and 1945, and a trans-imperial lens.
Furthermore, the collapse of empires—such as the Russian Tsarist and Ottoman Empires—provided a critical backdrop to the transnational encounters of intellectuals and the formation of their networks. Simultaneously, the ongoing contestation of still-existing empires—such as the British Empire, with its perennial challenges in India, and the Japanese Empire, marked by pivotal moments such as the Korean independence movement and the May Fourth Movement in China in 1919—served as fertile ground for these intellectual entanglements.
The aim of this project is to explore a comprehensive framework for a global history of such transnational encounters by discussing carefully crafted case studies in two academic events in collaboration with KU Leuven.
Shohei Sato, Professor, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Waseda University
As part of the Second Gulf Studies Symposium, our proposal for the workshop titled ‘Navigating Change: Gender Roles and the Evolution of Social Contracts in the GCC’ has been accepted. We will serve as directors of this workshop, which will be held at George Town University in the US from April 11-12, 2025. Below is the description of the workshop.
The workshop aims to explore the evolving roles of men and women in the context of the GCC’s restructuring of social contracts. As the GCC countries undergo profound socio-economic transformations driven by the transition toward a post-fossil fuel economy, traditional gender roles and relations are being redefined. This workshop will examine how these changes are influencing and modifying the existing social contracts that have historically governed various aspects of life for GCC citizens, including education, welfare, employment guarantees, and social and economic privileges.
The ongoing transition, fueled by demographic pressures, economic diversification, technological innovation, and global competition, is compelling GCC governments to reform their heavily subsidized social contracts. While these contracts have brought prosperity and stability to GCC citizens for decades, their redefinition is expected to significantly impact the public and private lives of GCC citizens, though it remains uncertain whether men and women will be equally affected.
Historically, women in the GCC have had lower labor participation rates than men, despite they have constantly outnumbered men in higher education. The phenomena are reflected in the low rankings of these countries in the Global Gender Gap Index (2024), primarily due to the relatively low labor participation rates among women: Qatar (60%), the UAE (53%), Kuwait (48%), Bahrain (44%), Saudi Arabia (37%), and Oman (32%). Men, as primary breadwinners, have predominantly benefited from guaranteed employment due to their higher labor participation rates. However, the socio-economic changes underway are likely to reshape this dynamic. As part of broader modernization and progressive measures, GCC governments are increasingly prioritizing the inclusion of women in the workforce and politics. This led to a rise in female labor force participation and women’s entry into political roles, including parliamentary, ministerial, and ambassadorial positions. These efforts have notably improved the UAE’s ranking (75th) in the Global Gender Gap Index (2024), though other GCC countries still lag behind: Bahrain (116th), Saudi Arabia (126th), Kuwait (131st), and Oman (136th). Meanwhile, men are being encouraged to pursue higher education, including study abroad to better compete in a knowledge-based economy in general and private-sector employment in particular.
These initiatives are beginning to challenge traditional gender roles, suggesting a shift towards greater gender inclusivity particularly in the public sphere. However, these changes do not immediately disrupt the traditional norms of GCC societies, as the Civil Code, based on Islamic Sharia law, continues to enforce gender-segregated schools and gender-sensitive policies in public sector workplaces. Consequently, the workshop will also discuss the convergence and divergence in the evolving roles of men and women, highlighting the complex interplay between modernization and tradition in the GCC.
Ultimately, the workshop intends to foster a deeper understanding of the evolving gender landscape in the GCC and offer critical insights into the policy needs necessary to develop more effective and equitable measures that address the unique contributions and requirements of both genders, both in public and private life. This understanding is essential for policymakers and social scientists striving to navigate toward a more gender-inclusive and balanced society.
Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
Keiko Sakurai, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
Shiite theological training at Islamic seminaries and secular higher education have been the two pillars of Iran’s cultural and educational diplomacy since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. This study aims to examine these two pillars—first, by analyzing Iranian cultural diplomacy in countries where Shia Muslims are a minority; and second, by investigating Iran’s policy on the internationalization of its higher education system..
The objective of this research is to explore, through fieldwork and literature review, how Iran engages with Shia communities outside its borders, particularly in countries where Shia Muslims constitute a minority. This includes establishing branches of Islamic seminaries, inviting local youth for theological training in Iran, and conducting other religio-cultural activities. Based on an analysis of Iran’s outreach efforts, this study examines how Iran’s cultural and educational diplomacy influences the ways in which local Shia communities shape and renegotiate their religious, ethnic, and political identities in relation to the Sunni majority.
The second focus of this project explores Iran’s cultural and educational diplomacy through the internationalization of its higher education system. Iran seeks to increase the number of international students enrolled at its universities and has established branch campuses, primarily in neighboring countries of diplomatic significance. These efforts aim to generate revenue, expand Iran’s academic influence, and promote the religio-cultural ideology of the Islamic Republic. By analyzing these initiatives, this study seeks to shed light on how Iran utilizes higher education as a strategic tool to advance its political objectives.
Women’s empowerment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states is often credited to recent, state-led reforms—such as expanded access to higher education and targeted employment initiatives—that have emerged from modernization efforts and global visibility strategies. While these reforms have undoubtedly played a crucial role in increasing women’s public participation, they tend to overshadow the experiences of those Gulf women who entered higher education or assumed leadership positions before 2000, when government support was minimal and society largely expected women to remain within the domestic sphere.
This project aims to shed light on the achievements and strategies of these so-called “pioneering” women who challenged conventional social norms by pursuing higher education at a time when such aspirations were rarely encouraged. Focusing on the 1980s and 1990s—before comprehensive state policies were established—this study draws on archival research and in-depth interviews to examine how personal ambition, family support, and local community cooperation facilitated these women’s academic and professional growth. In doing so, it highlights the pivotal role of individual initiative in a context where formal institutional backing was scarce.
Based on these findings, the project will then compare the approaches and outcomes of these early achievers with those of Gulf women who have benefited from large-scale, government-led programs in the 21st century. By contrasting pre-2000 cases with more recent policy shifts, we seek to understand how personal and community-level efforts interact with top-down mechanisms—such as scholarships, legal reforms, and gender quotas. This comparison will clarify the extent to which government initiatives have effectively built upon earlier experiences, as well as identify the challenges that continue to hinder women’s full participation in professional and public spheres.
Ultimately, this project aims to fill a significant gap in the existing literature by revisiting the contributions of women who achieved success long before state-led frameworks became commonplace. Recognizing these foundational efforts offers a more comprehensive understanding of how higher education and social dynamics in the Gulf have evolved over time and under varying levels of government intervention. Moreover, it will foster broader discussions on changing women’s roles in the region, providing insights on how to shape policies that build upon and further amplify the progress made by earlier generations.
Woohyang Chloe Sim, Assistant Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
Keiko Sakurai, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
After a seven-year rift, the two great powers of the Middle East have re-established their relations. This reconciliation is reshuffling the geopolitical balance in the region and beyond. A historic meeting took place between the two historic rival powers on March 19th 2023, after which Saudi Arabia’s King extended an open invitation to Iranian President to visit Riyadh in the near future. This invitation comes shortly after the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Concluded under the aegis of China on March 10th the agreement signed by Teheran and Riyadh provides for the reopening of Saudi and Iranian embassies within two months, the resumption of security talks, and economic cooperation. This process of rapprochement seems to have begun in Iraq back in 2021, after a five-year break. Saudi Arabia and Iran had ended all ties in 2016 when Saudi diplomatic missions were attacked in Iran, in response to Riyadh’s execution of a famous Shiite religious leader.
This rapprochement also raises hopes of de-escalation in the region, or even reconciliation, in war-torn countries where the two powers support opposing sides. Since 2015, in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has led a pro-government coalition fighting the Tehran-backed Houthis. On March 12, the Iranian mission to the UN declared that the agreement with Riyadh would accelerate the ceasefire, help start a national dialogue and form an inclusive national government in Yemen. In Syria, since the start of the war in 2011, Iran has been the main supporter of President Bashar Al-Assad, while Saudi Arabia backed the opposition fighters. The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the agreement as an important step that will lead to the strengthening of security and stability in the region. The recent events in Syria signals the beginning of a new era in MENA geopolitics. Iraq, since the fall of President Saddam Hussein in 2003, has been another area of rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. In 2019, a vast leak of Iranian intelligence documents had shown the extent of Tehran’s political, economic and religious stranglehold in the country. Some commentators believe that Iraq is the main beneficiary of the re-establishment of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which will ease the pressure on the Iraqi scene. In Lebanon, this new agreement suggests a way out of the political crisis. Last but not least, this agreement sounds like a setback for Israel. Israeli opposition leaders deplored what they perceive as a total and dangerous failure of the current Israeli government’s foreign policy. For sure, this arrangement complicates Tel Aviv’s plans to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia and additional Arab countries, in its strategy of isolating Tehran.
All told, this unexpected Saudi-Iranian rapprochement raises hopes but several questions too, especially that it has been brokered by China, the main global rival of the US, which now defies its opponent in what has been so far a US-controlled region. This edited volume aims at considering the geopolitical shifts in the MENA region, and its global ramifications from different perspectives and by a multidisciplinary team of academic experts and researchers in international affairs, security, socio-economic, and political fields.
Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
The digital age has ushered in profound changes in how states and organisations conduct diplomacy, mediate conflicts, and interact with stakeholders. As sovereignty and strategic autonomy are increasingly shaped by digital tools and technologies, understanding their impact on mediation practices has become essential. This workshop explores the role of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) in mediation, highlighting their benefits, challenges, and risks in peacemaking. It also emphasizes the need for collaboration between mediation practitioners and the tech sector, focusing on four thematic areas: trust-building in cybermediation, the role of digital data, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and the broader implications of digital diplomacy.
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in mediation. Global lockdowns and travel restrictions forced mediators and support actors to rely heavily on digital tools to maintain communication with conflict parties and stakeholders. This shift underscored both the potential and limitations of cybermediation. While these technologies enabled continued dialogue despite physical barriers, they also raised critical issues around trust, data security, and accessibility.
Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives, the workshop plans to discuss how digital tools can enhance or hinder trust among conflict parties. This conversation highlighted the urgent need to address the ethical and practical challenges of using ICTs in mediation processes bridging the Gulf accelerated digital rise and Japan leading best practices in the field.
Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
Donald Trump’s second term presents both opportunities and challenges for Gulf states amid a changing geopolitical landscape. Arab Gulf nations are proactively addressing intra-Gulf discord, seeking resolutions to the Yemen conflict, and improving relations with Iran and Turkey. This reflects a significant shift and growing regional agency since Trump’s first presidency. However, economic challenges compel these nations to focus on diversifying away from oil dependency while fostering stability in a volatile region. The previous administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy against Iran proved ineffective, heightening tensions and exposing vulnerabilities, as seen in the 2019 attacks on Saudi Aramco. As Trump resumes office, Gulf leaders are wary of a return to confrontational policies with Iran. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a de-escalation trajectory, fearing it could jeopardize their recent reconciliation efforts. Additionally, the normalization of relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords may expand, involving nations like Saudi Arabia but potentially provoking backlash from Palestinians and other regional actors. With geopolitical uncertainties, including the war in Ukraine and tensions in Gaza, Gulf states must navigate complex partnerships and the implications of Trump’s fossil fuel advocacy for U.S.-Gulf relations.
Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
The Gaza war sparked regional conflicts that spread to different parts of the Middle East. Israel’s invasion of Lebanon brought the country to the brink of crisis, and the Assad regime in Syria collapsed under the onslaught of anti-regime forces. The Houthi movement in Yemen continues to attack ships in the Red Sea and launch attacks on Israel, and tensions between Iran and Israel remain high.
This workshop we will use the ‘scenario planning’ method to consider the following two questions:
1. If the current conflicts in the Middle East continue to escalate, what will the situation be like in the Gulf in 2030?
2. How could instability in the Middle East and the Gulf affect Asian countries?
The workshop will bring together experts from the Gulf, the United States, Japan and Asian countries to discuss scenario building and implications over two days.
Abdullah Baabood, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
The purpose of this event is to discuss the translation and publishing activities of Manga Productions and Manga Arabia, founded by Isam Bukhari, a graduate of Waseda University, in Saudi Arabia, as well as the emerging content industries in the Arab world influenced by Japan. The event will feature Dr. Bukhari and staff from the anime and manga departments, and will focus on the reception of Japanese content, the translation of Japanese content into the Arab context, and the development of new content industries inspired by Japanese products in the Arab world. Along with the lecture, a discussion session between the guest speakers and Waseda University students interested in anime and manga will be organized. There is another aim for this event, which is related to the fact that many of the over 150 staff members working at the company studied at Japanese universities, including master’s or doctoral programs, and some even had work experience in Japanese companies after graduation. Their role as a bridge between Japan and the Arab world in the field of content industry should also be highlighted.
Keiko Sakurai, Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
Woohyang Chloe Sim, Assistant Professor, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University
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