The international system is entering a period of sustained uncertainty marked by geopolitical fragmentation, accelerating technological change, and mounting economic and social pressures. Long‑standing assumptions about stability, deterrence, and governance are being tested across regions, while the pace of innovation continues to outstrip the capacity of institutions to adapt. In this environment, strategic foresight and policy‑relevant analysis are no longer optional; they are essential to informed decision‑making.

Europe and the Middle East stand at the center of these transformations. In Europe, Russia’s war against Ukraine has reshaped the continent’s security architecture, reinforced the centrality of collective defense, and exposed structural vulnerabilities in energy resilience, industrial capacity, and strategic coordination. At the same time, demographic change, political fragmentation, and the demands of economic and climate transition are redefining the European project and its role in a more contested global order.

The Middle East continues to reflect both the persistence of conflict and the emergence of new strategic possibilities. Ongoing crises in Gaza, Syria, and Yemen underscore the limits of traditional diplomatic frameworks, even as shifting regional alignments, economic diversification efforts, and the growing influence of middle powers point toward alternative pathways for stability and cooperation. The region’s future will be shaped not only by security dynamics, but by how states navigate the intersection of governance, technology, climate stress, and social transformation.

Across both regions, technological change is acting as a powerful force multiplier. Advances in artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, space systems, and emerging technologies are reshaping economic competitiveness, military power, and the conduct of diplomacy. These developments blur traditional boundaries between civilian and military domains, public and private actors, and domestic and international policy, demanding new approaches to regulation, cooperation, and risk management.

Against this backdrop, the Center for European and Middle East Policy is committed to advancing rigorous, policy‑relevant research that bridges regional expertise with global strategic analysis. Our work seeks to illuminate the structural forces reshaping international affairs, support informed leadership, and contribute to pragmatic solutions grounded in empirical insight and institutional understanding. As the decade ahead unfolds, the choices made by policymakers today will have enduring consequences. CEMEP’s mission is to ensure those choices are informed, strategic, and resilient in the face of continued geopolitical and technological disruption.

Warm regards, 

Hani Sélim