Prospects for Iran-GCC Rapprochement in the Biden Era

The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) hosted a panel titled ‘Prospects for Iran-GCC Rapprochement in the Biden Era’ on Feb 8, 2021.

Panelists:

Hossein Mousavian, Princeton Scholar and Former Iranian Ambassador to Germany

Ilan Goldenberg, Director, Middle East Security Program, Center for New American Security

Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, Founder and President, Emirates Policy Center

Abdullah Baabood, Academic Researcher and Former Director for Gulf Studies, Qatar University

Moderator: Barbara Slavin, Director, Future of Iran Initiative, Atlantic Council

With the change of leadership in the White House, President Joe Biden is expected to take a different approach to the Middle East with a plan of undoing some policies of his predecessor Donald Trump in the region. During his election campaign, he promised to rejoin the Iran Nuclear Deal known as the JCPOA, an agreement strongly opposed by the US traditional allies, namely Saudi Arabia and Israel. Biden has also proposed to expand the scope of the agreement, arguing that “a restored deal would be a starting point for negotiations of a larger agreement that addresses other long-standing issues with Iran.”

In parallel to the developments in Washington, there have been talks of Qatar organizing a possible regional dialogue between Iran and GCC member-states. In this rapidly changing security environment, it is imperative to discuss the challenges and opportunities for dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy in Western Asia and gain a nuanced understanding of each side’s motivations and interests in the region.

Видео Prospects for Iran-GCC Rapprochement in the Biden Era канала Institute for Peace & Diplomacy