Prague Centre for
Middle East Relations
(PCMR)

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are currently experiencing significant transformations, including persistent conflicts, sociodemographic changes in population structure, and growing challenges such as climate change and economic instability. These processes not only affect regional security and stability but also profoundly impact international politics, including the interests of Central Europe. Events like the Syrian conflict, developments in Iraq, the war in Gaza, the question of the Abraham Accords, and the increasing influence of Russia and China are altering the overall geopolitical landscape in the region.

Despite developments in the region directly impacting global energy and financial markets, migration, and security issues, including the persistent threat of terrorism, these topics do not receive sufficient attention in the academic and political spheres of the Czech Republic and Central Europe.

The aim of the Centre for Middle East Relations (PCMR) at CEVRO University is to enhance understanding of the turbulent dynamics of social, economic, political, and security processes in the Middle East and to evaluate their impact on Central Europe. The significance of the Middle East for Central Europe extends beyond dependence on mineral resources and includes issues related to security developments and associated migration, as well as the potential for connecting European and East Asian markets through land trade routes. Without a deep understanding of Middle Eastern affairs and their consequences, Central Europe and the Czech Republic cannot effectively face the challenges or seize the opportunities that this key region offers.

Our mission is to provide comprehensive analyses of developments in the Middle East to politicians, journalists, academics, and the wider public, and to propose feasible recommendations that can be applied in political practice. We believe that engaging in informed academic debate through public discussions and roundtables is essential for shaping public and media discourse in understanding the complex realities of the region.

Filip Sommer, Director of PCMR

Mission

• Our primary mission is to deepen the understanding of the rapidly evolving security, political, and social dynamics in the Middle East, particularly in light of events such as ongoing regional conflicts, normalization efforts, and shifting alliances. Through research on current and politically relevant topics, we strive to provide insights that are crucial for informed decision-making.

• We also focus on formulating recommendations that address the challenges and opportunities arising from these changes, to support decision-making processes not only in the Czech Republic but throughout the Central European region. The growing influence of the Middle East on global energy markets, migration trends, and regional security directly impacts Central Europe, making it necessary to adapt our policies to these challenges.

• Furthermore, we are committed to enriching the academic, political, and public discourse on the Middle East by exploring how developments in this region influence European domestic and foreign policy. This includes understanding the impact of Middle Eastern dynamics on European security, economy, and social cohesion.

Vision

• • Our goal is to fill the growing need for deeper analyses of the social, economic, and political processes in the Middle East within the Czech Republic and Central Europe, with a focus on the region’s turbulent dynamics.

• • We endeavor to become a leading research institution in Central Europe concentrating on producing high-quality, practice-oriented research results regarding the developments in the MENA region.

• • We aim to cultivate academic, media, and public policy debate regarding the MENA region and the challenges it faces in order to identify opportunities and tackle threats stemming from rapid changes in the area.

Areas of Focus

1. 1. Geopolitics of the Middle East.
   Relations between regional and global actors in the Middle East with a special focus on Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey, China, the USA and Russia

1. 2. Relations between Europe and the Middle East.
   Focus on relations between Central Europe and Middle Eastern countries.

1. 3. Armed Conflicts in the Middle East.
   In-depth understanding of roots, developments, and solutions to the ongoing armed conflicts in the region, such as in Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen, Maghreb…

1. 4. Ethnic and Religious Issues in the Middle East.
   Dynamics of relations between Sunnis, Shias, and other ethnic and religious groups; separatism and irredentism in the Middle East; the minority issue in the Middle East.

1. 5. Resource, Environmental and Economic Security in the Middle East.
   The role of oil and gas, climate change, water conflicts, and economic issues in the Middle East.

1. 6. Internal Political Developments in the Middle Eastern Countries.