The Levant and Iraq represent one of the world’s most complex and historically rich regions, yet also one of the most politically and socially fragmented. The area faces a wide array of challenges, including protracted conflicts, state fragility, economic underdevelopment, and deep societal divisions. In this context, there is an urgent need to move beyond reactive approaches and instead shape a constructive, forward-looking vision for the region’s future.
This is the driving principle behind the Levant and Iraq Forum (LIF), an ambitious and timely initiative launched on 30 October 2024 in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, during the Middle East Research Institute’s annual conference (MERI Forum 2024). Formed by a consortium of think tanks from across the Levant and Iraq, the LIF is a strategic effort to foster regional cooperation and collective policy impact.
The Forum is designed to be a growing network of think tanks and policy institutions to provide a unique platform for engagement among policymakers, researchers, civil society leaders, and international partners. It aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for constructive dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and joint problem-solving. Through shared research, debate, and innovation, LIF works to advance peace, resilience, and sustainable development across the region.
The Forum’s core objectives are to promote social and economic empowerment and deeper regional integration. It seeks to: (a) identify shared values, aspirations, and challenges among the region’s diverse communities to foster peaceful coexistence and a common sense of identity; and (b) promote inclusive strategies for dialogue, economic collaboration, cross-border projects, and policy innovation.
Structured around rotating regional leadership and national coordinators, LIF operates on principles of autonomy, solidarity, and shared visibility. It supports flexible, member-led initiatives and welcomes both regional and honorary international members. Through annual convenings and shared digital platforms, the Forum amplifies collective impact and strengthens regional cooperation.
A significant milestone in the Forum’s evolution was the follow-up conference held in Amman, Jordan, on 2 June 2025. Co-organised by the Middle East Research Institute, the Centre for Strategic Studies and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, this gathering brought together LIF partners to refine the Forum’s long-term vision, solidify its organisational framework, explore pressing policy challenges, and chart a path forward for collaborative action.
This report summarises the proceedings, in-depth analysis, and policy recommendations discussed during the Amman conference. I hope you, your institution, and your academic colleagues find it both informative and useful. Most importantly, I encourage you to engage with LIF members and support our collective efforts to advance the Forum’s shared goals.
I would like to thank several key individuals who supported the Forum from its conception to its successful delivery. Foremost among them is HRH Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, whose genuine interest in the initiative has been a source of inspiration. I am also grateful to all the colleagues who generously shared their ideas and demonstrated a strong willingness to contribute from the very beginning. In particular, I thank Mr Said Al-Masri (Arab Thought Forum), Ammar Kahf (Omran Centre for Strategic Studeis), Mr Lukman Faily (Iraqi Ambassador to Germany) and Hiwa Othman (+964 Media) for active participation in the launching panel at MERI Forum 2024.
For the organisation of the highly successful Amman conference, I thank all participants for time and invaluable intellectual contribution during the various sessions. I am especially indebted to the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) for sponsoring, and the Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) for hosting the Amman meeting. I thank my co-organisers Professor Hasan Al-Momani and Rania Mashal of CSS; and Dr Edmund Ratka and Ms Layan Ounis of KAS for their hard work and invaluable contribution. I thank my colleagues Mr Khogir Wirya and Mr Fuad Smail for their support in documentation and transcription of the meeting.
Dlawer Ala’Aldeen
Coordinator of the Levant and Iraq Forum
President of the Middle East Research Institute (MERI)