Orwa Ajjoub (Malmö University) visited CMES for a research seminar on the recent developments in Syria. The first CMES Research Seminar of the spring semester 2025 attracted a large audience at Finngatan 16. The seminar featured Orwa Ajjoub, Ph.D. candidate in Global Politics at Malmö University, as the guest speaker. Ajjoub’s research explores intra-jihadi violence and the Syrian conflict. In add

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/syrian-conflict-over-challenges-and-opportunities-new-administration - 2025-08-29

CMES Researcher Amir Naghibi has written an article published in Global Ecology and Conservation. "Macroecological Predictors to Determine Future Refuges of Luciobarbus Species in the Tigris–Euphrates Basin: Rethinking Conservation Strategies and Management"AbstractFreshwater ecosystems, being highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, experience a greater influence than terrestrial and

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/macroecological-predictors-determine-future-refuges-luciobarbus-species-tigris-euphrates-basin - 2025-08-29

CMES Director Karin Aggestam has written an article in The Conversation on the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and diplomatic challenges ahead. AbstractDonald Trump’s recent statement describing Gaza as a “demolition site” – and his suggestion to “evacuate” Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt and Jordan to “clean out that whole thing” – has sent shockwaves across the region.Trump reportedly told journalists t

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/trumps-recent-statement-gaza-transactional-diplomacy-and-quest-sustainable-ceasefire - 2025-08-29

CMES Researcher Svante Lundgren has written an article for The Conversation on the tense relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. AbstractAzerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, has launched a fierce verbal attack on Armenia, which he has called a fascist state. “Fascism must be destroyed,” he said in an interview on local TV networks on January 7. “Either the Armenian leadership will destroy it, o

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/armenia-and-azerbaijan-are-loggerheads-again-heres-why-tensions-are-rising - 2025-08-29

CMES Researcher Amir Naghibi has co-authored an article in Ecological Informatics. "Enhancing Pan Evaporation Predictions: Accuracy and Uncertainty in Hybrid Machine Learning Models"Ecological Informatics, Volume 85, 2025.IntroductionEvaporation, as an important process in the hydrological cycle, plays a pivotal role in management of water resource and agricultural activities, particularly in arid

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/enhancing-pan-evaporation-predictions-accuracy-and-uncertainty-hybrid-machine-learning-models - 2025-08-29

CMES researchers continue to make an impact on The Conversation, contributing to Lund University’s record-breaking article count in 2024. Last year, Lund University experienced a record year in terms of articles published on The Conversation - an international news site that provides researchers with the opportunity to reach a broad audience. With 55 articles from 50 Lund University researchers, t

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/cmes-reaches-global-readers-conversation - 2025-08-29

Satellite images show destruction of trees (top) and greenhouses (bottom) in north Gaza. Yin et al (2025) CMES Researcher Lina Eklund has co-authored an article published in The Conversation about agricultural destruction in Gaza. IntroductionThe ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas makes provisions for the passage of food and humanitarian aid into Gaza. This support is much needed given that

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/gaza-we-analysed-year-satellite-images-map-scale-agricultural-destruction - 2025-08-29

Hebatalla Taha (Lund University) held a CMES Research Seminar on the Israeli Bank Leumi and its operations in Palestine. Leumi is an Israeli bank, established in 1902 as the Anglo-Palestine Company, closely connected to the Zionist movement. After the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, Bank Leumi served as the central bank and issued the country's first banknotes. Throughout the 20th century

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/israels-bank-leumi-palestine - 2025-08-29

Gain insights into the latest developments and key dynamics in the Middle East. Welcome to the CMES Research Seminars. Every semester, CMES hosts a variety of public events, focusing on the Middle East region. The CMES Research Seminar invites Lund University researchers as well as national and international leading scholars to present ongoing research and analyses on a variety of topics related t

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/join-our-cmes-research-seminars-spring - 2025-08-29

CMES researcher Altea Pericoli has published an article in Global Policy about Islamic instruments for refugee financing. Pericoli, A. (2025). Islamic instruments for refugee financing: the IsDB and UNHCR collaborative approach. Global Policy, Special Issue, “Expanding Financial Environment for Refugees and Immigrants: Islamic Finance in Action”. Volume 16, S1: 46-56. Read the article here.About A

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/islamic-instruments-refugee-financing-isdb-and-unhcr-collaborative-approach - 2025-08-29

CMES researcher Filippo Verre has published a new book exploring nationalism and identity in the Late Ottoman Era. Echoes of Empire: Nationalism and Identity in the Late Ottoman Era (1898-1918)This book by Filippo Verre delves into the complex and transformative period of the late Ottoman Empire, exploring the rise of nationalistic movements that reshaped its multi-ethnic landscape. It provides a

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/echoes-empire-nationalism-and-identity-late-ottoman-era-1898-1918 - 2025-08-29

Aron Lund from the Swedish Defence Research Agency visited CMES for a public lecture on the future of Syria. On February 20, Aron Lund, a Middle East analyst at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), delivered a well-attended public lecture at the Eden Auditorium, hosted by CMES. His talk focused on recent political developments in Syria.Aron Lund traced Syria's course over the past decade, fr

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/cmes-public-lecture-aron-lund-syria-after-assads - 2025-08-29

CMES interns 2024: Lilljan Daoud, Jaara Chikfa, Boran Zhang, Marine Lambotte, Rupert von der Kammer, Irene Vanni, Fadi Azzo, Asma Ben Salam and Renee Nienhuis. Not pictured: Szebasztián Simic and Firat Berk Sivaslioğlu. Photo: Linda Eitrem Holmgren CMES will offer several part-time internships for Lund University students during the spring of 2025. Are you a Lund University student with an interes

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/come-work-us-student-internships-cmes-spring-2025 - 2025-08-29

Photo: Sveriges Radio/Mattias Ahlm Welcome to a public lecture with Middle East correspondent Cecilia Uddén (Swedish Radio) on the dramatic developments in the Middle East. How do today’s turbulent events affect the Middle East and its people? Join us for a lecture with Cecilia Uddén, the renowned Middle East correspondent for Swedish Radio, who was recently awarded the Stora Journalistpriset for

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/upcoming-cmes-public-lecture-award-winning-middle-east-correspondent-cecilia-udden - 2025-08-29

CMES researcher Lina Eklund has co-authored an article about war-induced damage to agricultural land in the Gaza Strip, published in Science of Remote Sensing. "Evaluating War-Induced Damage to Agricultural Land in the Gaza Strip Since October 2023 Using PlanetScope and SkySat Imagery"IntroductionThe ongoing 2023 Israel-Hamas War has severe and far-reaching consequences for the people, economy, fo

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/evaluating-war-induced-damage-agricultural-land-gaza-strip-october-2023 - 2025-08-29

Application deadline: 2 May 2025. The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) is now accepting applications for new research projects under the multi- and transdisciplinary Strategic Research Area Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW) - comprising staff from five different faculties at Lund University.This call provides funding for a three year project exploring novel interdiscipl

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/cmes-call-project-proposals-2025 - 2025-08-29

Last week, CMES hosted an interactive event where Arabic language students explored food traditions while expanding their vocabulary and cultural knowledge. On 27 February, CMES organized a cultural and educational event for students enrolled in the Arabic language courses, offering a hands-on experience with Arabic food and dining traditions.During the gathering, students prepared and enjoyed a v

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/exploring-arabic-culture-through-food-cmes - 2025-08-29

CMES Researcher Pinar Dinc has written an article for The Conversation about the recent developments in the conflict between Turkey and PKK. AbstractAbdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK), has called on the group to disarm and dissolve itself. In a letter read out by his political allies in Istanbul, Turkey, on February 27, he wrote: “I take on the hi

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/pkk-leaders-call-disarm-fuels-hope-end-kurdish-conflict-peace-not-imminent - 2025-08-29

625 people gathered at Lund City Library for a highly anticipated CMES lecture by Cecilia Uddén, Middle East correspondent for Swedish Radio. On 6 March, CMES, in collaboration with Lund City Library, hosted a public lecture with award-winning journalist Cecilia Uddén, Middle East Correspondent for Swedish Radio. Part of the CMES Research Seminar Series, the event focused on the latest political d

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/full-house-lund-city-library-cmes-lecture-cecilia-udden - 2025-08-29

Read the February CMES Newsletter about upcoming events, recent research activities, and new publications. The CMES Newsletter offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of Middle Eastern research. It is distributed regularly to a diverse audience of scholars, both within Lund University and beyond. Each issue features:Message From the DirectorLatest Research NewsUpcoming EventsRecent Publicat

https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/read-latest-cmes-newsletter-49 - 2025-08-29