Quo Vadis?: Regional Perspectives on the Syrian Crisis

Moderator:
Taha Özhan, President of SETA Foundation

Panelists:
Besma Kodmani, Syrian National Council
Veniamin Popov, Moscow State Institute of International Relations
Kayhan Barzegar, Center for Strategic Research, Iran
Basheer Nafi, Al Jazeera Center for Studies

Date/Time: April 3rd, 2012, TUESDAY 10:00-12:00

Venue: SETA Ankara room, ANKARA

SETA invites you to attend a public panel by Veniamin Popov of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Kayhan Bazegar of Center for Strategic Research in Iran, Besma Kodmani of the Syrian National Council and Basheer Nafi of Al Jazeera Center for Studies to discuss the Syrian crisis in its entirety. The panel will host members of the Syrian opposition as well as regional experts to present regional outlooks for the Syrian crisis.

What are the internal and external dynamics of the conflict in Syria? Is it a battle ground for regional and global rivalry? Can the Syrian opposition deliver? What are the capabilities and limits of the Syrian opposition? Has the international community met its responsibilities regarding Syria? What is the human cost of the crisis in Syria? What options are left for Syria?

We very much hope you will be able to attend this special panel discussion. RSVP is required, kindly RSVP to rsvp@setav.org.

The event will be held in English. No translation services will be provided.

* Besma Kodmani is the executive commitee member and spokeswoman of the Syrian National Council. She holds a doctorate degree in Political Science from Sciences-Po in Paris and is a Professor of International Relations at the Université de Paris. She is currently Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative and a director of the academic program at the Académie Diplomatique Internationale.

* Kayhan Barzegar is a Senior Research Fellow at the CSR, the Department of Foreign Policy Studies. He is also an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Science and Research Campus, Islamic Azad University, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran.

* Basher Nafi is a senior researcher at the Al Jazeera Center for Studies. He is a reader in Islamic History at the Muslim College and Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies at Birkbeck College, University of London.

* Veniamin Popov is the director of the Center for the Partnership of Civilizations at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. A retired diplomat, Popov served as the Russian Ambassador to the OIC and other international Muslim organisations.