Arab Countries: Their Potential and the Nature of Their Influence on Geopolitical Processes
On 9 December 2025, as part of the 7th International Conference “The World Majority and the West amid Geo-economic and Civilizational Transformations”, and in partnership with the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), a session of the section “Arab Countries: Their Potential and the Nature of Their Influence on Geopolitical Processes” was held.
The session was moderated by A. Baklanov, Professor and Head of the Middle East and North Africa Studies Section at the School of Regional Studies, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University, and Deputy Chair of the Association of Russian Diplomats.
The participants were welcomed by D. Efremenko, Professor and Head of the School of Regional Studies. The discussion of the issues on the agenda featured presentations by: V. Sheltag, Representative of the League of Arab States in the Russian Federation; A. al-Waheishi, Ambassador of Yemen to the Russian Federation; Turkish political scientists I. Dürre and Z. Shalale; Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor V. Vasiliev (Institute for the U.S. and Canadian Studies, RAS); N. Kartsev, leading expert at the International Relations Directorate of the Federation Council; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of the Israel Department at the Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS, V. Smirnov; Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor A. Vavilov (MGIMO University); A. Kuznetsov, lecturer at the School of Regional Studies; and V. Ahmadulin, Candidate of Historical Sciences (Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS). The session also included remarks by D. Sabitova, President of the HSE Middle East Club, and A. Naef (Palestine), a member of the Expert Group on NMEP issues at the School of Regional Studies, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs.
As part of the section’s program, a presentation was delivered on the analytical report “A New International Economic Order: Background, Current Situation, and Russia’s Strategy” as well as an Automated Information Bank on the new international order and pressing issues of the Arab world. These outputs were the result of relevant projects implemented by the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University (project leaders: A. Baklanov and E. Imamkulieva).
Following the section, with the assistance of A. Baklanov and E. Imamkulieva, a youth roundtable on current Middle East issues was held, during which 12 papers were presented. The meeting contributed to a deeper study of the interaction between Arab countries and leading regional and global powers, as well as international organizations and associations.