Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies Lund University

Lisa Strömbom appeared as an expert commentator on Radiokorrespondenterna Mellanöstern on 4 August. The discussion focused on reports of a possible agreement to disarm Hamas in Gaza in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal. The programme highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the proposed deal, as neither Israel nor Hamas had clearly confirmed its contents or conditions.

In her commentary, Lisa Strömbom analyzed the political challenges facing the negotiations, the prospects for breaking the long-standing deadlock, and the conditions required for a sustainable agreement to become a reality.

Osäkert läge – trots Trumps avtal om avväpning av Hamas | Radiokorrespondenterna Mellanöstern | Sveriges Radio Enligt Donald Trump finns ett avtal om att avväpna Hamas i Gaza. Men Israel och Hamas har inte samma syn på avtalet och frågan är om det blir verklighet.

Read the latest CMES newsletter

From new "CMES Regional Outlook" on The future of Iran’s nuclear activities to insights from the ECO‑Syria Project. The latest edition of the CMES newsletter offers a snapshot of ongoing research and dialogue on the Middle East at Lund University.

In this issue:
• New interdisciplinary research projects on mobility, urban futures, and sustainability
• Reflections from seminars on Gaza, US-Iran relations, and environmental change in Syria
• Recent publications and media contributions from CMES researchers
• Upcoming events, including the autumn seminar series and our Open House in September

👉 Read the newsletter https://app.bwz.se/lunduniversity/b/v/?vid=160&v=16&share=1&ucrc=F804816B7B

Happy summer from all of us at CMES!☀️

Workshop proposal
CMES funds 1-2 new workshops per year and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from different disciplines within Lund University. Application deadline: 31 August 2026.

Read the call: https://www.cmes.lu.se/strategic-research-area-middle-east/cmes-calls-and-research-grants

CMES Research Initiation
The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) provides seed money for research initiation and preparation of applications for national and international research calls. Application deadline: 31 August 2026.

👉 Read the call: https://www.cmes.lu.se/strategic-research-area-middle-east/cmes-calls-and-research-grants

📣 CMES seminar thursday: Eco-Syria
Join us tomorrow as the Eco-Syria research team presents insights from three years of interdisciplinary research on the links between conflict, environment, and sustainable development in Syria.

📅 13:15–14:30
📍 CMES seminar room, Finngatan 16, Lund
Open to all – coffee and pastries will be served afterwards ☕

👉 Read more: https://www.cmes.lu.se/calendar/cmes-seminar-eco-syria-exploring-conflict-environment-interactions-sustainable-development-and

👉 Read more about the Project: https://www.cmes.lu.se/strategic-research-area-middle-east/research-projects/eco-syria-exploring-conflict-environment-interactions-sustainable-development-and-conservation

📣 CMES book-talk: Dalia Dassa Kaye examined how American domestic politics, political framing, and missed opportunities for engagement have shaped US policy towards Iran.

👉 Read the article: https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/book-talk-enduring-hostility-making-americas-iran-policy

📣 New CMES Regional Outlook
Is Iran really pursuing nuclear weapons — or is it trying to achieve something more complex?

In this new CMES Regional Outlook, Hebatalla Taha and Dina Tawfik examine Iran’s nuclear posture, highlighting the concept of nuclear latency and its implications for diplomacy and regional dynamics.

👉 Read the article: https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/future-irans-nuclear-activities

📣 Book talk this thursday at CMES: Enduring Hostility – The Making of America’s Iran Policy

In the timely seminar, Dalia Dassa Kaye will talk about her recent book, linking to the current turmoil in the region and its wider geoppolitical implications.

28 May 2026
13.15 - 14.30
CMES, Finngatan 16.

👉 Read more: https://www.cmes.lu.se/calendar/book-talk-enduring-hostility-making-americas-iran-policy

Reminder: Travel grant deadline approaching – 31 May 2026

The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) supports research with high scientific potential through the Strategic Research Area Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW).

Application deadline: 31 May

👉 Read more here: https://www.cmes.lu.se/strategic-research-area-middle-east/cmes-calls-and-research-grants

CMES researcher Lina Eklund has been elected as a new member of the Young Academy of Sweden, a multidisciplinary academy bringing together outstanding early-career researchers.

👉 Read more here: https://www.cmes.lu.se/article/cmes-researcher-elected-young-academy-sweden