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Research Program on the Theory and Practice of International Relations
The Research Program on the Theory and Practice of International Relations highlights the application of theory to the analysis and interpretation of international politics and the current affairs in the field of International Political Economy. Its researchers, visiting scientists and scientific advisors examine novel ways with which the theoretical-epistemological underpinnings and methodological tools of International Relations could be applied to the interpretation and possible prediction of geopolitical and geoeconomic issues. They research and analyze critical, emergent phenomena in the international system, that foster challenges in the areas of: international and regional stability and security; nation-states’ foreign policy; global economy and regional/interregional cooperation; global markets operations; effectiveness and adaptability of international organizations; and forward-looking aspects of global governance.
Its main strategic focus areas are:
• International Politics
• Foreign Policy Analysis
• International Security and Strategy
• Energy Security
• Globalization and Regionalism
• International Political Economy
• International Economic Exchanges
• Economic Diplomacy
• Global and Digital Governance
• International Organizations
• EU Foreign and Security Policy
• Non-State Actors and Transnational Phenomena
• Migration and Refugee Flows
• Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability
• Technology and Innovation
The Research Program is supervised by a Scientific Committee which is chaired by Dr. Charalampos Tsardanidis (Director of the Institute of International Economic Relations) and is comprised of the following distinguished scholars:
• Kostas Ifantis (Professor, Panteion University & Director of the Institute of International Relations, Athens)
• Foteini Asderaki (Associate Professor, University of Piraeus, Chair of the European and Security Defence College Doctoral School & Jean Monnet Chair)
• Panagiotis Tsakonas (Professor, University of Athens)
• Dimitris Triantaphyllou (Director of the Center for International and European Studies at Kadir Has University & Professor, Panteion University -under appointment)
• Konstantinos Hazakis (Professor, Democritus University of Thrace)
• Asteris Chouliaras (Professor, University of the Peloponnese)
• Kyriakos Mikelis (Assistant Professor, University of Macedonia).
Head of the Research Program: Effie Charalampaki ([email protected])
The Researchers of the Program are:
• Effie Charalampaki (Head of Research, Institute of International Economic Relations)
• Kostas Pechynakis (University of Crete, Democritus University of Thrace)
• George Fragkos (University of the Aegean)
• Nefeli Athanasaki (University of Piraeus)
• Valasis Simitsis (Leiden University)
• Eleni Maria Kalafati (Institute of International Economic Relations)
• Panos Kikilias (Panteion University)
Centre for Middle East Policy Analysis (KE.A.ME.P)
The Middle East has always been and continues to be a region of high political, strategic and economic importance. Its significance also lies in the fact that it interacts in several ways with two other subsystems of note, the first being North Africa and the second the Arab-Persian Gulf region.
Moreover, the Middle East is an extremely complex region, where all contemporary security threats and challenges are present, while regional conflicts, intra- and extra-systemic actors, Islamist terrorism, ideological and political rivalries as well as the conflicting interests of state and non-state actors have led to all kinds of dynamic situations. At the same time, relations of cooperation but also of rivalry have developed, often exacerbated by religious differences. All in all, this state of affairs has led to several long-standing political confrontations and conflicts.
The Middle East is very close to Greece and, therefore, the developments and upheavals taking place in the region cannot but affect it. However, from a scientific point of view, there is no corresponding interest in Greece among Greek scholars and researchers. Furthermore, the analysis concerning the Middle East and the subsystems of North Africa and the Gulf neither corresponds, at least quantitatively, to the rapid changes that have taken place after the Arab uprisings of 2011 nor to the multiple and interrelated problems that presently afflict the region.
The Center for Middle East Policy Analysis, which operates within the Institute of International Economic Relations, aims, on the one hand, at contributing to enriching investigations on the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf affairs and developments and, on the other hand, at becoming a useful tool for understanding, analyzing and explaining what is happening and why.
To achieve these goals, the Centre for Middle East Policy Analysis (KE.A.ME.P.) will carry out research and studies, will organize seminars, conferences and workshops, will post articles and blogs on the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, and will also offer insightful analyses of current issues. Finally, it will post the best papers that were presented at the annual Mare Mediterraneum conference, which is organised by the Centre in cooperation with the Institute of International Economic Relations (IDOS).
The Director of the KE.AM.E.P. is Mrs Vivi Kefala, Professor of International Relations in the Greater Middle East and North Africa.
