The expert roundtable titled “Middle East: Between Normalisation and War” delved into the complex geopolitical landscape leading up to October 7th, highlighting the normalisation process and the challenges faced in the region. An expert discussed the shift from maximalist to pragmatic policies among Gulf countries, focusing on optics-driven normalisation with Türkiye and Iran. The impending normalisation between Saudi Arabia and Israel created dilemmas for Gulf states, balancing regional security and national interests. Economic factors, particularly the cost of regional rivalries, were emphasised, with concerns about the role of the Houthis and potential US counterattacks.
Middle East: Between Normalisation and War
