Starting 15th December 2025

On completion of the course, you’ll be able to

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the historical foundations of diplomacy in the MENA region and how modern geopolitics has evolved.

• Identify key state and non-state actors shaping governance, security and regional order.

• Analyse major conflicts and peace processes, including Palestine/Israel, Syria, Yemen and Libya.

• Understand how youth mobilisation, societal change and digital activism influence diplomacy and policymaking.

• Evaluate how soft power — from religion to sports to media — is used to project influence and shape global narratives.

• Assess emerging regional cooperation models, including the GCC, Arab League, mini-laterals, and the expanding BRICS bloc.

• Examine the new landscape of economic diversification, energy transition and climate diplomacy shaping MENA futures.

• Apply diplomatic analysis skills to real-world scenarios using case studies and practical exercises.

Course Curriculum

Module I – Foundations of Diplomacy in the MENA Region

A structured introduction to the region’s diplomatic landscape, covering the post-Ottoman order, Cold War interventions, borders, identity politics and the historic evolution of conflict and cooperation. Establishes the conceptual foundations for understanding the MENA’s modern dynamics.

Module II – Governance, Society and Youth Mobilisation

Examines political systems, authoritarianism, reform agendas, state–society relations and the forces behind the 2011 uprisings, the 2019–20 protest wave, and ongoing youth-driven movements. Explores how governance failures and demographic pressures shape diplomacy and development.

Module III – Security, Conflict and Peace Processes

A deep dive into the region’s recurrent conflicts, proxy warfare, arms dynamics, and security alliances. Analyses peace initiatives, ceasefire diplomacy, and the roles of global powers including the US, China and Russia.

Module IV – Regional Cooperation and Multilateral Diplomacy

Explores the institutions, alliances and emerging blocs that shape regional order — GCC, Arab League, OIC, AU, I2U2, and others. Includes an in-depth look at religious soft power rivalries, sports diplomacy, and the strategies states use to shape regional influence.

Module V – Soft Power, Public Diplomacy and Narratives

Focuses on how states and grassroots actors use media, culture, religion, sports, mega-events and digital platforms to influence global perceptions. Includes major case studies such as Qatar’s media diplomacy, Turkish drama exports, and Palestinian digital activism.

Module VI – Economic, Energy and Climate Diplomacy

Analyses economic diversification strategies, sovereign wealth fund diplomacy, energy transition, water-energy-food security and climate negotiations (COP27, COP28). Features new content on BRICS expansion and how Gulf and North African states are positioning themselves in a multipolar economy.

Course Fees

1- Individual course access: Lifetime access to this course  ( £295)