Iran and the Gulf: A Search for Stability

The First Annual Conference of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) entitled, “Iran and the Gulf: A Search for Stability” established the Center’s role as a forum for meetings on regional policy issues. In its focus on relations between the Arabian Gulf States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the objective of the meeting was to reach a deeper understanding of Iran – alongside the dynamics affecting its regional relations – that serve as guideposts to achieving regional stability. Along these lines, the Conference explored themes including: Political Origins of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Social Dynamics: Education, Gender, and Health; the Challenge of a Besieged Economy; Iranian Foreign Policy: Formulation and Impact; Iran and Iraq: Revolutionaries in Conflict; and Iranian Policy in the Gulf. The intended outcome of the First Annual Conference was not only to assist Gulf Arab governments in preparing for future interactions with Iran, but to also provide support for non-Arab parties with shared interests in terms of promoting Gulf security.