MERI Forum 2026 will aim to:
- Provide a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas among policymakers, academics, and decision-makers.
- Develop creative and constructive solutions to today’s most pressing policy challenges, with a particular focus on pathways toward sustainable stability in the Middle East.
- Identify priority areas for future research that can deepen understanding of the region’s evolving challenges and opportunities.
State-Building in the Levant and Iraq: Elusive Goal or Gradual Transformation?
As Iraq, and several states across the Levant, persist in complex processes of state consolidation, this panel will reflect on lessons from the past two decades and consider strategic priorities for the period ahead. Despite sustained attempts to reinforce institutions, improve governance, and rebuild public confidence, significant structural and political obstacles continue to impede progress. Key questions include who will partner with Iraq and the Levant countries as the region enters the next phase of development; how the countries can cultivate resilient and inclusive state institutions while safeguarding sovereignty; and what role external actors can, or should, play in supporting a more stable and effective state trajectory?
Economic Statecraft in a Fragmented Middle East: Advancing Cooperation and Shaping Regional Trajectories
The Middle East stands at a pivotal moment, with economic statecraft emerging as an essential instrument for navigating fragmentation and volatility. Persistent conflicts, geopolitical competition, and uneven development have highlighted the limits of security-centric approaches and the need for deeper economic cooperation. Strategic use of trade, investment, energy partnerships, and development initiatives can help mitigate divisions while generating shared gains. This Forum will assess how governments, multilateral institutions, and private-sector actors can deploy economic diplomacy to expand collaboration, enhance regional resilience, and support more stable and prosperous trajectories in an increasingly complex Middle Eastern landscape.
The Levant Beyond Conflict: Strategies for Recovery and Reintegration
The Levant faces an urgent need to move beyond decades of conflict, displacement, and political instability. This Forum brings together think tank leaders from Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Iraq to examine strategies for recovery and reintegration across the region. Discussion will focus on rebuilding institutions, fostering social cohesion, supporting displaced populations, and promoting inclusive economic development. Panelists will also explore regional cooperation, the role of international actors, and lessons learned from previous recovery efforts. The goal is to identify sustainable approaches that can restore stability, strengthen governance, and create pathways for resilient, peaceful societies.
Integrating Iraq’s Energy, Financial System, and Economy into the Global Order
How can Iraq more effectively integrate its energy sector, financial system, and wider economy into global markets? Attracting sustained international investment will depend on regulatory predictability, transparency, credible contract enforcement, and a modernised banking sector capable of facilitating cross-border finance and private-sector growth. While hydrocarbons remain foundational, Iraq must also expand renewables, upgrade infrastructure, and strengthen regional connectivity to position itself as a reliable supplier and transit corridor. Leveraging energy revenues to diversify into industry, agriculture, and services – supported by public-private partnerships, financial-sector reform, and improved access to credit – will be critical for durable growth. Aligning banking standards with international norms, enhancing digital finance, and promoting technology transfer and workforce development through international cooperation can further underpin long-term competitiveness and integration.
Iraq and International Partners: Shared Strategic Responsibilities
Iraq’s foreign policy seeks to balance constructive relations with both Eastern and Western powers in a complex geopolitical environment. These ties remain sensitive but vital for security, reconstruction, and economic development, with engagement – particularly with European partners – supporting diplomatic and institutional cooperation. Sustaining stability will depend on maintaining this pragmatic equilibrium while protecting sovereignty. Greater clarity on international partners’ strategies, priorities, and constraints is essential to strengthen coordination and deliver more effective, mutually beneficial outcomes.
Recalibrating Baghdad-Erbil Relations: From Managed Tensions to Institutional Partnership
This Forum will convene senior Iraqi and Kurdistan Region leaders to examine the structural strains affecting both the federal system and the Kurdistan Region. Despite constitutional provisions intended to facilitate power-sharing and coordination, recurrent political stalemate, institutional weakening, and disputed authorities continue to hinder effective governance. Rather than perpetuating reactive crisis management, the discussion will focus on how Baghdad and Erbil can rebuild trust, clarify competences, and establish more predictable mechanisms for fiscal, administrative, and security cooperation. Panellists will assess options for strengthening federal-regional arrangements, restoring institutional credibility, and addressing public frustration with governance failures. Particular attention will be given to managing overlapping authorities, stabilising revenue-sharing and budgetary processes, and insulating state institutions from political paralysis. The objective is to identify pragmatic steps toward a more functional, accountable, and durable federal order capable of withstanding internal pressures and external uncertainty.
The Kurdistan Region at a Strategic Crossroads: Governance Reform, Economic Resilience, and Internal Cohesion
The Kurdistan Region faces a decisive period as it seeks to advance economic ambitions, reinforce political cohesion, and adapt to shifting dynamics within Iraq and the wider region. This panel will explore how the Region can pursue sustainable growth, modernise governance, and strengthen its institutional foundations while navigating complex relations with Baghdad, neighbouring states, and international partners. Discussion will address internal political fragmentation, economic diversification beyond hydrocarbons, and the need to invest in human capital, infrastructure, and private-sector development. Panellists will also examine the Region’s evolving security environment, the role of external actors, and the challenge of balancing regional partnerships with domestic reform priorities. The session aims to outline practical strategies for enhancing unity, improving governance performance, and positioning the Kurdistan Region for greater stability and long-term prosperity within Iraq’s federal framework.
The Future of Syria: Pursuing Cohesion in a Fragmented Landscape
More than a decade into conflict, Syria remains politically, territorially, and socially fragmented, with uncertain prospects for national reintegration. This Forum will convene policymakers and think tank leaders to examine pathways toward greater cohesion, governance reform, and long-term stabilisation. Discussions will assess models of decentralisation, local governance, and security provision, alongside broader questions of reconstruction, institutional recovery, and socio-economic revitalisation across the country. Participants will debate strategies for reconciling competing political authorities, addressing the needs of displaced and conflict-affected populations, and rebuilding state and civic institutions across divided territories. The Forum will also consider the evolving roles of regional and international actors, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing Damascus in managing relations with internal peripheries, neighbouring states, and global stakeholders. The objective is to identify practical avenues for inclusive political processes, reintegration, and a more durable foundation for peace and development in Syria.
Peace in Türkiye: A Catalyst for Stability and Prosperity in the Levant and Iraq
Turkey’s internal peace process is crucial for stability across the Levant and Iraq. This panel will explore strategies to advance the on-going internal negotiations, promote national reconciliation, and address regional security concerns. Discussions will examine legislative, executive, and policy measures Turkey may adopt, the roles Iraqi and Syrian stakeholders can play, and the potential benefits for regional cooperation and economic development. Panelists will also assess how reconciliation could reshape political dynamics in Turkey, the Parliament, and the government, while identifying opportunities for international support. Ms. Hatimoglullari will provide insights on additional relevant issues and future trends.