NRCC 11: Panel on the Syrian Crisis

On Monday 14 April, the eleventh NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC-11), directed by the Head of Middle East Faculty (MEF), Col Giuseppe Morabito (ITA A), had an intensive day with three detailed lectures about the Syrian crisis. The speakers were: Mr Barah Mikail (SYR/FRA C), Senior Researcher at the Foundation for International Relations and Foreign Dialogue (FRIDE) in Madrid; Dr Jean Loup Saaman (FRA C), researcher and lecturer at the MEF; and MajGen M. Awwad (JOR A), Military Advisor for Middle East Affairs at the NATO Defense College.

The first speaker was Mr Mikail, who gave a clear overview of the escalating situation in Syria, analysing the underlying dynamics and the actors concerned. He also illustrated possible future scenarios. Dr Saaman then provided a detailed regional perspective on the topic, focusing on the role of Hezbollah in the conflict and its relations with the various countries in the region. The last talk, by MajGen Awwad, offered a Jordanian perspective on the subject and examined the role of Jordan as host country for Syrian refugees. All three lectures were moderated by Dr Andreas Jacobs (DEU C), researcher and lecturer at the MEF.

Mr Mikail is a specialist in the Middle East and North Africa region, covering topics such as EU and US policy, regional security, and political and economic issues. His other areas of expertise include ethnicity, tribalism and Islam in the Arab world. In 2003, he also worked as an analyst on Middle East affairs at the French Ministry of Defence.

Dr Saaman’s areas of expertise include Middle East strategic balance, US defence policy-making and long-term NATO security challenges such as cyber defence. He is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Project on Nuclear Issues of the Center for Strategic and International Affairs.

MajGen Awwad’s extensive career in the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) includes experience as Director of International Affairs of the JAF. He has spoken at many high-level seminars and conferences, including the 2011 Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Libya, Afghanistan and Partnerships, held in Berlin.

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Valentina Ferrandu, ITA C)