Leonid Issaev took part in the 14th Al Jazeera Forum in Qatar
On March 11-12, 2023, the Al Jazeera Forum was held in Doha. The Al Jazeera Research Center organises the Forum annually. As a rule, well-known scientists and political figures from all over the world act as speakers of the event. The opening of the forum was attended by Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, the Chairman of the Directoral Board of Al Jazeera, and Majid Al Ansari, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and the adviser to the Prime Minister.
This year's Forum focuses on the Middle East and the Russian operation in Ukraine: growing challenges and opportunities. The global crisis has an ambiguous effect on the countries of the Middle East: on the one hand, new opportunities are emerging for some countries, and, on the other, intractable crises in the region are exacerbating.
The troubles experienced by this region have worsened. Therefore, for some countries it may lead to severe economic consequences, political and social unrest. That's more relevant for Lebanon, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen and Syria. For energy producing countries such as the Gulf states - Algeria, Libya and Egypt, the global crisis has provided an opportunity to strengthen their influence and justify the importance of their role in the global energy market.
Other countries have also been able to use the new geopolitical conditions to their advantage. Turkey is the country which has benefited the most from its strategic position, manufacturing capabilities and international ties. In addition, despite the economic difficulties faced by Iran due to the sanctions imposed on it because of its nuclear program, it was also able to gain advantages in the negotiations, given the energy market's need for its exports.
During his speech, Leonid Issaev noted that by the beginning of 2023 the situation in the region had an ambiguous effect on the countries of the Middle East. On the one hand, there is a shift in the focus of the world community to the events in Ukraine, while the crises in the Middle East actually remain out of sight of global actors. On the other hand, new geopolitical conditions are making the Middle East region increasingly multipolar. One of the examples of this is China's mediation efforts to resolve the crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia. In this regard, the Middle East has every chance to benefit from the current situation and use it in its own interests.