SISU area studies seminar gathers experts from around the world

An area studies seminar was held on Dec 7 at the Shanghai International Studies University where scholars discussed with nine experts from seven countries about issues related to the Middle East, Eurasia and the Red Sea.

The seminar was held as part of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the Shanghai International Studies University on Dec 8.

During the panel "Transformation in the Middle East and Great Powers' Diplomacy in the Region", experts discussed security patterns and international relations in the Gulf, the Palestinian issue, the Syrian war as well as the possible ramifications of the withdrawal of US troops from the region.

At another panel titled "Rediscovering Eurasia and Relocating Eurasian Studies in a World of New Disorder", participants discussed the concept of Eurasia and the research paradigm shift after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Marcin Kaczmarski, a research fellow at University of Glasgow, said that people who study Eurasia currently also have to pay attention to China and examine many issues from a Chinese perspective.

The participants in the panel "The Red Sea: Area Studies in Theory and in Practice" also shared their research, including a historical study from Alexi Wick of the Koç University in Turkey and a geo-economic study from Mohamed Alakhtaby of the American University in Egypt.

Li Runqi contributed to the story.