The Islamic Republic at 40: Has the Revolution Run its Course?

hosted by Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Member of the European Parliament

As Iran commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the West looks at the country with concern. While the regime’s stability remains uncertain under financial and political constraints, Iran’s regional policy displays an aggressive expansionism that contributes to further inflaming an incendiary Middle East. The European Union’s continued course of engagement following the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the Joint and Comprehensive Plan of Action has borne fruit in keeping Iran within the provisions of the nuclear agreement. But neither EU nor U.S. approaches have provided any workable solutions to contain Iran’s aggressive regional ambitions, as shown by its missile program, its threats against Israel, its support to Hizbullah, the Houthis and other proxy militia, and its increasing entrenchment in Syria. The panel will review the linkages between Iran’s domestic dynamics and regional ambitions, and outline possible ways forward for the EU and the United States.

Smart Solutions for Resource Security Hot Spots

KAS International Workshop at Plante Security Initiative Conference in The Hague

With its global program for energy security and climate change, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) addresses challenges and solutions in this field of political action. At three "fish bowl" round tables, carried out simultaneously, experts will focus on three security hot spots, including water scarcity challenges in the Lake Chad Basin and the MENA region as well as GHG emission challenges of Asian mega cities.

The Digitalization of Energy Systems: Experiences from Europe and Asia

International Workshop

In the workshop, Dr Frank Umbach will present the findings of his KAS-funded study on "Energy Security in a Digitalized World and its Geostrategic Implications". Local and international experts and representatives from politics, business and civil society will discuss the following issues: •Global Energy Megatrends: from Scarcity to Abundance? •Rising New Cyber Security Threats: Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure •Digitalisation and Decarbonisation: Coping with Disruptive Developments

What Is Turkey up to in the Middle East?

Turkey, a regional actor and a mid-size power, tries to project influence in the Middle East through religious and cultural affinities, and increasingly, through the use of military power and proxies. While Turkey is part of the Astana Process together with Russia and Iran, its end goal in Syria is in conflict with that of Russia and Iran. Conflicting strategies of the United States and Turkey are contributing to the ongoing escalation of tension between the two allies. Despite disagreements, Turkey and the European Union have managed to sustain their cooperation on refugees and on counterterrorism. What is Turkey's role in Syria, particularly in the implementation of the Idlib agreement? How does Turkey project its interests in relations with key actors, including Russia, Iran, NATO, the United States, and Europe? Does Turkey's regional role bear any windows of opportunity for European interests?

Armenia: A Lighthouse for Sustainable Energy Scale-up

International conference in Yerevan on 3-4 December 2018 on topics dedicated to sustainable energy development in in Eastern Partnership countries Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

Naftogaz vs Gazprom: What role for the European Union?

The upcoming year will prove decisive with regard to the future of the European Union’s gas transit from Russia. The role of Ukraine, traditionally the main transit corridor for natural gas to Europe, is seriously questioned given the expiry of the current transit contracts between Gazprom and Naftogaz on 31 December 2019. The event will have a look into possible Impacts for Europe and its member states.

Sustainable peace in Africa: Empowering civil society in conflict prevention and mediation

This conference will gather civil society activists and policy makers from Africa, Europe and the United States in order to discuss how to build sustainable peace in some of Africa’s vulnerable societies and what is needed to support local efforts on mediation and conflict prevention more effectively. By looking at best practices of civil society empowerment in Nigeria, Mali, Kenia, Tanzania and Uganda, the conference will discuss how local approaches to conflict prevention can promote peaceful and inclusive societies and what more is needed to create a comprehensive approach among the local, national and international actors involved.

The InsuResilience Initiative in the Context of Climate Migration

On 20.11.2018, the MNED together with Brot für die Welt are organizing a breakfast debate on the InsuResilience initiative in the context of migration. Representatives of BMZ, BfdW and the European Commission will exchange on current challenges.

EU's leadership in global climate action

Opportunities for international cooperation in preview of COP 24

The conference brings together international stakeholders from political and civil society level to discuss and evaluate Europe's position on the future political direction towards climate action and energy in view of COP24.

China and Russia in the EU’s Neighbourhood: A Threat for Integration and Democracy?

Russia and China are using their power and a variety of tools to extend their influence in the EU’s neighborhood. What interests do they have? The aim of the expert conference is to analyze their regional strategies in the EU’s immediate neighborhood