The Iranian and Persianate Societies Studies Unit focuses on the academic study of modern Iranian politics, international relations, energy security, intellectual history and culture, and their broader significance for the history of the region, as well as those of other Persianate societies. Given Iran’s geostrategic position in the Gulf and its many contributions to statesmanship and scientific learning, a comprehensive and analytically sophisticated understanding of this country is indispensable to grasping regional dynamics and transformations, both past and present. The unit endeavors to draw upon the latest theoretical and methodological approaches offered in the disciplines o

This foundational unit is concerned with research, teaching, training, and innovation in the field of the Arabic language. It addresses the learning and instruction of Arabic in Arabic-speaking societies, as well as Arabic as a second language in the West. The unit studies and produces literary critiques as well as writings by learners of Arabic related to the subject of the Arabic language. The unit emphasizes collaboration with linguists of various East Asian languages to enrich the language references for Arabic and East Asian languages. For more information on Arabic Language Studies in the Research Department at KFCRIS: Dr. Arwa Obaidat, Senior Fellow He

The North African and Arab Maghreb Studies Unit is the regional research unit concerned with North Africa in general and the Arab Maghreb in particular. Its research areas span geopolitical, political, cultural, and social studies, as well as developments in the area. The unit focuses on the study and analysis of the shifts in the region and on presenting assessments of the changes, phenomena, and future of Maghrebi regimes and societies. It follows and analyzes trends and active forces in various sociopolitical arenas and monitors internal and regional conflicts, tracing their sources and consequences. For more information on North African and Arab Maghreb Studies in the Resear

The Contemporary Political Thought Unit aims to study the rise of contemporary political thought and its influence on the political structure of Islamic and Arab societies by shedding light on the development of political ideas in the political movements that are currently shaping the political scene. The unit encourages interdisciplinary approaches, encompassing theory, politics, culture, society, and religion in studying these ideas, movements, and societies so as to provide a broader picture and a better analysis of the development of political thought and movements in Islamic and Arab societies. For more information on Contemporary Political Thought in the Research Departmen

The Saudi Studies Unit specializes in the study of the historical traditions and culture of the lands that make up contemporary Saudi Arabia, with a focus on archaeology, historical anthropology,  sociology as well as the study and documentation of oral history and poetry, notably Nabatean. The unit focuses on heritage predating the unification of the Kingdom in 1932, as well as that predating the First Saudi State (1744–1818). The unit also occupies itself with archaeological and anthropological heritage studies regarding historical cultures, peoples, and societies on the Arabian Peninsula in general, including pre-Islamic ones.   For more information

The Asian Studies Unit is dedicated to the study of Asia and Asian societies in the cultural, social, political and religious spheres. It was formed as a response to the growing need for informed research on Asia at a time in which Arabo-Asian engagement is becoming ever more complicated and fraught with potential risks, yet ever more relevant and full of opportunities. As one of the regionally specialized units at KFCRIS, this unit aims to promote greater understanding of Asia within the Arab world, with a particular eye on enhancing the quality of academic, journalistic, and policy making discussions surrounding it.   For more information on Asian Studies in the

 The “2016 White Paper on German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr” is the most imperative recent document to lay out the Germany’s principles and tools in shaping security policy at large. It discusses key elements of security policy, describes the international security environment, identifies strategic priorities, and points out areas of engagement in which Germany has the opportunity to shape policy. On first read, the paper´s most noticeable strength is the depth in which it explores its many concerns, from traditional policy power plays to the topical challenges of mass migration and climate change. The paper a

This analysis strives to factually present the evolution of Germany’s foreign and security policy vis-à-vis the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Iraq. It assesses the question of whether German foreign policy is guided by a new doctrine, insofar as it envisages to assume more security policy responsibility on the global stage, as stated in the recently published “2016 White Paper on German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr.” 

When Mustafa Hijri, the secretary-general of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (Hezbî Dêmokiratî Kurdistanî Êran, also known as Partî Dêmokiratî Kurdistanî Êran ), invited young Iranian Kurds to join his party in a speech delivered on March 2016, several Kurdish analysts and activists interpreted his message as an attempt to restart the xebati chekdari, which authorized the use of arms against the government of the Islamic Republic. Others were less convinced. As the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) has taken up arms in the provinces of Iranian Kurdistan and Iranian A

By: Hyeju Jeong, Duke University History Department While the Chinese Muslim diaspora population in Saudi Arabia is smaller than the diaspora populations of South Asia, Central Asia or Southeast Asia, whose historical ties with the coasts of the Red Sea are known to have left enduring vestiges in and around Mecca, Chinese Muslim communities have forged their own enclaves in the Hijaz and beyond for the past century or so, making permanent homes in different parts of the Kingdom. Journeying from various parts of China, they arrived i