Al Jazeera Centre for Studies (AJCS) starts its 2019 public lecture series by a presentation on the theme “Iran's Islamic Revolution at 40: Regional Cooperation: Prospects and Challenges” by Dr. Kamal Kharazi, chair of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Iran Saturday, 9 February 2019 (6 – 8 PM) at Al-Rayyan Conference Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Doha.
Dr. Kharazi’s lecture initiates a new plan of collaboration between Al Jazeera Centre for Studies and the Strategic Council for External Relations in Iran. It also proposes some inside-out reflections after four decades of the Islamic Revolution, while the Gulf region is embroiled in more than one conflict. There has been a tripartite rift between Iran and Saudi Arabia and between Iran and the United States over their respective strategic differences. The repercussions of these open-ended conflicts go beyond bilateral and multilateral relations between Tehran, Washington, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv, with wider impact across the Middle East. These differences, because of their nature, can not only affect the parties involved in the conflict but also cast doubt on the entire Arab world. Consequently, the Gulf has become an arena for competition and animosity; however, may be the key to unexplored settlements should the parties realize the cost of the conflict is so high. The question remains: how does re-position its strategy at this era of turbulent politics?
Dr. Kharazi served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran under former President Mohammad Khatami between 1997 and 2005, before assuming the chairmanship of Iran’s Strategic Council for Foreign Relations. The Council was founded on the recommendation of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2006. The Council reports to the institution of the spiritual leader, while seeking new prospects for the Iranian foreign policy and formulate long and short-term foreign policy strategies in political, economic, defense, security and cultural scientific affairs.