Eastern Mediterranean University Center for Strategic Studies (EMU-CSS) organized a panel titled “7 Ekim 2023 Sonrası Orta Doğu’da Değişen Dengeler / Evolving Dynamics in Middle East Following 7 October 2023” on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. Taking place at EMU BEA 5 Amphitheatre, the event approached the latest developments in the Middle East through various different academic perspectives.

“Holds Great Importance in terms of Social Consciousness”

Making the opening remarks of the panel, Chair of EMU-CSS Assist. Prof. Dr. Gülay Umaner Duba stated that the center has recently restarted its activities after a long break. Assist. Prof. Dr. Umaner Duba underscored that EMU-CSS does not only aims to produce knowledge under the roof of the university, rather its goals also consist of sharing the social and regional impacts of this knowledge with the public. Moreover, she noted that the main purpose of the center is to closely follow up the geopolitical, diplomatic and security developments within the Eastern Mediterranean. Assist. Prof. Dr. Umaner Duba emphasized their goal of fostering a culture of strategic thinking within the context of Türkiye–Cyprus relations, while also creating a scholarly platform to examine the political dynamics confronting the people of Cyprus. Assist. Prof. Dr. Umaner Duba underscored the Mediterranean’s strategic significance from both diplomatic and military standpoints, and noted that the panel would explore the shifting dynamics of the Middle East through a multidimensional lens. She further highlighted the importance of these analyses in enhancing public awareness.

“A University Paving the Way for Strategical Thinking”

Also making an address, EMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe stressed the current and strategic importance of the event. Prof. Dr. Karatepe noted that the panel, organized under the leadership of the Center for Strategic Studies, seeks to examine the far-reaching developments shaking geopolitical stability across the Middle East, not limited to the Israel–Palestine conflict, through a rigorous academic framework. Saying; “Following 7 October 2023, we have been witnessing a multi-layered transformation process with military, political and humanistic aspects”, Prof. Dr. Karatepe underlined that the regional power dynamics and security paradigms have changed. Prof. Dr. Karatepe stated that EMU strives to be a university that not only delivers high-quality education but also lays the groundwork for strategic thinking as a key aspect of its social responsibility. Lastly, Prof. Dr. Karatepe extended his thanks to all the speakers and participants, expressing his hopes for a beneficial panel discussion.

Following the opening speeches, the panel continued with the ““Orta Doğu’da değişen paradigmalar ve ABD Dış Politikası: Gazze Savaşı sonrası yeni bir bölgesel siyasete doğru mu?” / Shifting Paradigms in the Middle East and U.S. Foreign Policy: Is a New Regional Political Landscape Emerging After the Gaza War?” presentation by Prof. Dr. Nur Köprülü from the Near East University, moderated by EMU-CSS Chair Assist. Prof. Dr. Gülay Umaner Duba.

The event also shed light on Iran’s strategic moves, through the “7 Ekim Sonrası Orta Doğu’da Değişen Güç Dengesi: İran’ın Güvenlik Politikaları / Changing Power Dynamics after 7 October 2023: Security Policies of Iran” presentation by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özüm Sezin Uzun from the Urla Institute of International Studies. On the other hand, EMU Political Science and International Relations Department academic staff member Prof. Dr. Erol Kaymak made a presentation titled “Suriye’deki Rejim Değişikliğinin Kıbrıs’a Olası Yansımaları / Potential Impacts of the Regime Change in Syria on Cyprus”.

After the presentations, participants of the event had the chance to ask questions and state their reviews during a question-answer session. At the end of the panel event, panellists were presented with plaque by EMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe.