Message from the Director
During an especially busy spring period, CMES organised several important public panels and seminars. On 13 April, in connection with Lund Sustainability Week, CMES hosted the panel A Sustainable Middle East in a Turbulent World? at the Pufendorf Institute. This was followed on 27 April by the panel discussion What Does the Future Hold for Iran? Finally, on 8 May, CMES welcomed acclaimed SVT reporter Cecilia Uddén for a public seminar titled What Is Going to Happen in Gaza?
Several new publications by CMES researchers have also been released. Most recently, CMES researcher Hossein Hashemi published a policy-relevant article in The Conversation examining how climate change is reshaping Saharan dust storms and increasing their impact on Europe.
The CMES team also continues to grow. We are delighted to welcome Pelle Valentin Olsen, who will divide his time between CMES and the Department of History as Associate Senior Lecturer. In addition, Saman Shahnazi Mansouri recently commenced his postdoctoral position, jointly shared between LTH and CMES.
Looking ahead, the final two CMES spring research seminars will feature a presentation by Pelle Valentin Olsen on Leisure, Entertainment, and Everyday Life in Modern Iraq, as well as the concluding seminar of the Eco-Syria project: Exploring Conflict–Environment Interactions for Sustainable Development and Conservation. Finally, on 28 May, CMES welcomes back former Fulbright Scholar Dalia Dassa Kaye for a talk on her new book, Enduring Hostility: The Making of America’s Iran Policy.
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Ronny Berndtsson
CMES Director,