The statements made and opinions expressed are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Security in Context network, its partner organizations, or its funders.
Welcome to the debut edition of the new Security in Context Monthly Roundup! The Security in Context Monthly Roundup highlights the work of our experts and features some of the most exciting events from our research network partner organizations. The goal is to shed light on knowledge production on security-related issues of public interest from critical perspectives and from global south readings. Entries may include academic journal articles, think tank reports, non-governmental organizations releases, official documents or government-commissioned research, and regular news items. The material included covers SiC’s key security issues: Climate Change, Security and International Relations, Migration and Displacement, Covid-19 and Capitalism, Technologies of Surveillance, Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Sexuality, Arms and the Military-industrial Complex, and Censorship.
Articles
La spirale de militarisation de la politique des États-Unis vis-à-vis du Moyen-Orient
By Waleed Hazbun
August 28, 2025
In this article, originally written in French (English translation available), Hazbun analyzes the structural dynamics that have fueled the spiral of militarization in United States policy in the Middle East. The article identifies five key factors, including the decline of US political influence and the growing confusion between war and peace.
Reconfigurations of Turbulence and American Visions for Regional Order
By Waleed Hazbun
July 30, 2025
This article was contributed by Hazbun to POMEPS Studies 56: Regional Order Making after October 7. He follows up on his chapter in Order and Region Making in the Middle East, further exploring the United States’ vision for regional order in the Middle East and its effects on the political turbulence of the region.
Destruction, Disempowerment, and Dispossession: Disaster Capitalism and the Postwar Plans for Gaza
By Mandy Turner (co-authored w/ Nur Arafeh)
July 24, 2025
This article discusses the implications of various reconstruction plans for Gaza in the wake of Israel's war against the territory, framing them within the concept of “disaster capitalism”. The article identifies four major reconstruction plans that risk perpetuating such an approach, each of which undermines Palestinian agency, creates governance structures that lack local control, and paves the way for land grabbing, resource extraction, and the privatization of public assets.
What Israel’s Arrest of Palestinian Booksellers in Jerusalem Tells Us About Its Goals
By Mandy Turner
July 21, 2025
Twice in early 2025, Israeli police raided two branches of the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem, arresting three members of the Muna family. The significance of these arrests, which occurred during Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza, lies in their broader interconnectedness. This article examines Israel’s varied assaults on Palestinian culture since 1948, both within occupied Palestine and beyond.
International Solidarity with Palestinians: Turning Advocacy into Action
Mandy Turner (editor and contributor)
June 24, 2025
This report contains the written reproductions of verbal presentations given at a conference panel of the same name in the UK. The contributors discuss their work in terms of advocacy and solidarity actions in support of Palestinian rights. Mandy Turner served as curator and editor for this report, alongside contributing her own introduction to the panel.
By Mandy Turner
June 19, 2025
This article by Mandy Turner explores the U.S. and Israel's coordinated efforts to expand their geopolitical influence in the Middle East, particularly through the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The alignment between the Trump administration's goals of regime change in Iran and Israel's territorial expansion are highlighted while also drawing parallels to past U.S. interventions in the Middle East.
Beyond Preaching Unity and Inclusion: Observations from Syria’s Media and Online Spaces
By Basileus Zeno and Katty Alhayek
June 2025
Zeno and Alhayek analyzed how media narratives of unity and inclusion unfolded during the first 100 days of Syria’s transitional period.
American Illusions of Regional Order and the Emergence of Turbulence in the MENA Regional System
By Waleed Hazbun
June 2025
Waleed Hazbun contributed a chapter (pp. 62-84) to the academic publication, Order and Region Making in the Middle East. Hazbun’s contribution and the book as a whole explores the competing visions for order in the Middle East and how the effects are shaping and reshaping its regional politics.
Vaccine production and innovation: insights from tort reform and Medicare expansion
Firat Demir (collab with other academics)
May 29, 2025
This paper assesses the effectiveness of two policy interventions in stimulating firms' output and innovation while leveraging a unique dataset on vaccine production and development. Through a difference-in-differences analysis, it’s indicated that both policies significantly boost vaccine production.
A Story about Ruin: Biden’s Effort to Integrate the Middle East
By Waleed Hazbun
Spring 2025
Published in the APSA MENA Newsletter 8 no. 1 (pp. 71-75), this article by Waleed Hazbun explores the Biden administration’s actions toward the Middle East in dealing with the war in Gaza. Following a chronological order, Hazbun picks apart Biden’s actions and policy shifts in the matter and their lasting effects in the Middle East.
By Mandy Turner
April 24, 2025
On October 6 and 7, 2024, Security in Context organized a policy/scholarly roundtable which was held at the Institute for Advanced Study in the Global South at Northwestern University in Qatar in Doha. The event was a closed, invitation-only roundtable designed for in-depth, non-confrontational discussions. This report, curated/edited by Mandy Turner, offers a summary of the discussions under the "Chatham House Rule," ensuring participants could speak freely without attribution.
Firat Demir (collab with other academics)
April 23, 2025
This paper by Firat Demir reviews the existing literature on the adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in reference to energy transition justice for Native American communities. The article identifies and delves into the different drivers (catalysts) and barriers (obstacles) for the process.
In Britain, The Solidarity Campaign for Palestinian Rights Clashes Directly with Empire Mythology
By Mandy Turner
April 21, 2025
This article by Mandy Turner maps the trend of a clear disconnect in Britain between the strong elite backing for Israel and the increasing public support for Palestinian rights. It argues that British Establishment support for Israel is rooted in its pride in the history of the British Empire, which drives its role now as a facilitator of Israeli apartheid and genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
By Mandy Turner
April 7, 2025
This report by Mandy Turner analyzes the coverage of Israel and Palestine by seven major Western think tanks from October 2023 to June 2024, highlighting the role these institutions play in shaping public discourse. It finds that five of these think tanks exhibit bias, arguing that the biases are not accidental but a deliberate effort by think tank leadership to control the narrative through framing, selective coverage, and exclusion of alternative viewpoints.
Multipolarity symposium: introduction
By Firat Demir and Omar Dahi
February 6, 2025
This paper introduces the three articles that were a part of Security in Context and Review of Social Economy joint symposium that took place at the University of Oklahoma. These papers offer a compelling and critical lens of multipolarity, great power competition and the New South-South relations.
Multipolarity and the New South–South relations: myth vs. reality
By Firat Demir and Omar Dahi
February 6, 2025
This paper examines the ‘New South–South relations’ to highlight the growing significance of trade, finance, and cooperation among Southern nations, driven by neoliberal globalization and the rise of emerging powers like China. The article examines these shifts using the ‘semi-periphery’ framework, exploring trends in trade, finance, and security, alongside power competition between the US, China, and middle powers.
More Problem-Setting for Poverty Solving
By Zaynab El Bernoussi
2025
This article for Sociological Insights for Development Policy analyzes poverty through the lens of sociological contribution. It explains how “problem-solving poverty” should be approached as an issue of solving the issue of resource access instead of seeing poverty itself as “the problem.”
Kamala precisa recuperar eleitor historicamente democrata para derrotar Trump, diz especialista
Featuring Fernando Brancoli
September 20, 2024
In this brief discussion, originally written in Portuguese, Brancoli discusses political and social issues in Brazil, with a focus on inequality and civil rights debates.
By Fernando Brancoli
October 16, 2023
In this article, originally written in Portuguese, Brancoli highlights Brazil’s role as a mediator in international conflicts, focusing on diplomacy and power relations.
By Fernando Brancoli
April 26, 2023
In this article, originally written in Portuguese, Brancoli explores terrorism in Brazil, addressing its social roots and media interpretations.
Conferences
The US foreign policy in the Middle East
Presented by Waleed Hazbun
October 30, 2025
Waleed Hazbun gave a lecture at the University of Alabama on the subject of the United States’ foreign policy in the Middle East. The lecture was presented under invitation of The Chair Jean Monnet "EU Horizons Unveiled: History, Rights and the External
Dynamics of the European integration".
American Illusions of Regional Order and the Emergence of Turbulence in the MENA Regional System
Presented by Waleed Hazbun
September 18, 2025
Waleed Hazbun gave a talk at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. The talk further discussed content that was covered in his chapter of the same title, published in Order and Region Making in the Middle East.
“Engineering Destruction: Militarization and the War Economy” Conference
Presented by Mandy Turner
July 29-31, 2025
Mandy Turner submitted a paper for a hybrid conference held by the Ibrahim Abu Lughod Institute of International Studies at Birzeit University, Palestine. The themes of the conference included: the policing of urban spaces, the political economy of war, the globalization of security, the military industrial complex and the militarization of urban space.
9th Annual Meeting of the Memory Studies Association - Beyond Crises: Resilience and (In)stability
Participation of Basileus Zeno
July 14-18, 2025
Dr. Zeno presented his research on 'Museums and Syrian Refugees’ and Asylum Seekers’ Memories of Displacement at the conference. The event took place in Prague, Czech Republic.
BRISMES 2025 Conference: Resisting Academic Complicity with Genocide (Part 2): Silencing Palestine
Presented by Mandy Turner
July 3, 2025
Mandy Turner gave a paper on Palestine and free speech during a panel at the Annual Conference at the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES), University of Newcastle, UK, which ran from July 1 to July 3. The particular panel (6G) explored how universities, think tanks, and academic spaces contribute to or tacitly support genocidal violence by censoring dissent.
The Global South and World Order Conference: Five Days of Dialogue and Critical Perspectives
Participation of Shana Marshall, Pete Moore, Mandy Turner, and Sean Yom, co-organized by Mandy Turner
June 9-13, 2025
This conference, held at the University of Vienna, brought together scholars (including some of our own contributors) from diverse disciplines to engage with the shifting dynamics of global power, with particular emphasis on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Over several days of dialogue, participants examined both theoretical frameworks in the global political economy and specific regional developments.
Reclaiming Civic Spaces: A MENA Roundtable of Researchers and Donors
Participation of Basileus Zeno
June 3-4, 2025
Dr. Zeno participated in the roundtable at the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo Campus in Paphos, Cyprus. The event provided an opportunity to share knowledge, discuss key challenges, and explore strategies for strengthening civic engagement and collaboration in the region.
Keynote Address on “Tourism, Climate, and Resource Challenges"
Presented by Waleed Hazbun
March 8, 2025
A keynote was delivered by Waleed Hazbun at the Diplomacy and (In)security in the Age of Tourism and Scarcity of Resources conference. The conference was held at the Institute of Eastern Mediterranean Studies at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA.
Interviews
4 historical examples that demonstrate the risks of American interventionism in the Middle East
Interview w/ Waleed Hazbun (conducted by BBC)
July 1, 2025
This news article lists a handful of examples in history that illustrate the negative effects of American interventionism in the Middle East, regardless of intention. Waleed Hazbun was interviewed for this article, providing analysis for a couple of the covered historical examples.
New Nakba? Experts warn Trump 'extremely serious' on Gaza displacement plan
Interview w/ Waleed Hazbun (conducted by Anadolu Ajansı)
January 29, 2025
Waleed Hazbun was interviewed for this article about Donald Trump’s plan to move displaced Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan. Hazbun provides analysis on the relations between these three countries, thoughts on their reactions to the displacement plan, and some insight on what the next moves might be.
2024 foi marcado pela expansão dos conflitos no Oriente Médio
Interview w/ Fernando Brancoli
December 26, 2024
Brancoli Analyzes the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East during 2024 and potential repercussions for Brazil.
Interview w/ Fernando Brancoli
December 17, 2024
CNN Brasil interviews Fernando Brancoli to analyze the implications of Trump’s election for global politics and the expectations for U.S. foreign policy.
Entrevista: transição e expectativas para o novo governo de Trump
Interview w/ Fernando Brancoli
July 11, 2024
Interview on the transition and expectations for Trump’s new administration, analyzing global implications.
Interview w/ Fernando Brancoli
March 17, 2024
CNN Brasil interviews Fernando Brancoli on the exploration of public security trends in Brazil, emphasizing urban crisis management strategies.
Interview w/ Fernando Brancoli
February 20, 2024
CNN Brasil interviews Fernando Brancoli about climate change challenges and Brazil’s role in international negotiations.
Interview w/ Fernando Brancoli
December 5, 2023
In an interview with CNN Brasil, Fernando Brancoli reflects on democratic governance in Brazil and the role of civil society in the digital age.
Webinars
Present Continuous: On Palestinian Land, Labor and Economy
Presented by Mandy Turner, 5:00 pm panel (along with other academics)
July 5, 2025
Mandy Turner presented during a panel for a two-day symposium on the political economy of Palestine and the reconstruction of Gaza, hosted by the Berlin SPORE Initiative. She presented during the panel, “Political Economy of the Reconstruction Plans and Notes Towards Palestinian Liberation.”
Post-War Reconstruction Plans for Palestine - Study Day
Presented by Mandy Turner, Session 3 (along with other academics)
July 2, 2025
Mandy Turner, along with other academics, presented at a large webinar hosted by the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute - MAS. She presented during Session 3 of the webinar, Global Planning for Palestine, in which the discussed topics included Israeli plans, the Trump/Pelzman/Kushner plan, the Habtoor Plan, and Palestine emerging.
Think Tanks and Manufacturing Consent w/ Mandy Turner | Long Form Podcast #7
Presented by Mandy Turner ( w/ Mouin Rabbani, hosted by Jadaliyya)
June 4, 2025
Mandy Turner was featured in a livestreamed episode of Jadaliyya’s Long Form Podcast. She discussed foreign policy, specifically the vital role think tanks play in the policy process and in manufacturing consent for government policy.
Presented by Mandy Turner (along with other academics)
April 15, 2025
Mandy Turner served as moderator for this webinar that was hosted and broadcast by Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute - MAS. Throughout the panel, experts comment on the implications of the analysis and issues raised, discuss prospects, and chart possible outcomes in the coming year for achieving Palestinian survival, rights and development.
Book
By Firat Demir
November 10, 2025
This excerpt was contributed by Firat Demir as a chapter to the larger publication of Economic Development, Economic Growth and Income Distribution: Structuralist Perspectives on Latin America and Beyond. The book focuses on Latin American countries while discussing the international obstacles to economic growth and the role of individual sectors.
A Moon Will Rise from the Darkness: Reports on Israel’s Genocide in Palestine
Co-edited and contribution given by Mandy Turner
October 8, 2025
This book, co-edited by Mandy Turner, brings together Francesca Albanese’s essential and damning reports on Israel’s actions in Palestine since October 2023. First outlining the case that this period should be understood as a genocide, Albanese goes on to explain how the ongoing violence fits into a longer history of Israel’s settler colonialism.
Jordan: Politics in an Accidental Crucible
By Sean Yom
October 1, 2025
Yom’s book offers a comprehensive guide to Jordan’s history, economy, government, society, and foreign relations. The content emphasizes the importance of Jordan’s politics as related to Middle Eastern affairs, Israel-Palestine, and US foreign relations.
Insecurity Monitor: Palestine and Global Order, Security in Context
SiC Team & Contributors (co-edited by Mandy Turner)
July 31, 2025
This year, Security in Context launched its 2nd issue of our annual print and digital magazine: Insecurity Monitor. Titled “Palestine and the Global Order”, the goal of this issue is to reflect on the global order through the lens of Palestine, focusing on the multiple dimensions of the ongoing genocide which is now reaching its third year.
By Zaynab El Bernoussi, Adriana María Garriga-López, Giuliano Martiniello, Bashir Saade
June 13, 2025
This collaborative book is aimed at students from both the Global South and the Global North, acting as a textbook that analyzes issues of International Political Economy (IPE) from a Southern and Northern perspective. This includes how they differ while de-Westernizing and de-centralizing knowledge of the subject.
Promotions/Awards/Appointments
Interim Chair, Department of Economics, University of Oklahoma
Firat Demir
2025
David L. Boren Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, University of Oklahoma
Firat Demir
2025
