- A specialized panel discussion bringing together a group of distinguished international experts focusing on the key geopolitical challenges facing the region.
- Analyzing potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump’s second term, with a particular emphasis on their implications for the Middle East.
- Shedding light on future diplomatic engagements and the challenges surrounding peace efforts in the region.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – January 2025: Rabdan Security and Defence Institute (RSDI), a think tank specializing in security and defence studies, hosted a specialized panel discussion titled ‘The New Trump Presidency: Its Impact on the Middle East’.
Held at the Rabdan Academy, the event attracted experts from diverse fields to analyze the potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s second term, focusing on its implications for the Middle East.
The panel discussion explored the core geopolitical challenges facing the region, as the Trump administration’s policies evolve. A particular emphasis was placed on U.S. security cooperation with Middle Eastern countries, military alliances and strategic shifts regarding Iran and Israel. The event provided timely and detailed analysis of how U.S. foreign policy is likely to shape the Middle East’s security landscape over the next few years.
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Francisco Javier Rojas, Assistant Professor of the Homeland Security Program at Rabdan Academy. The session featured prominent experts from Rabdan Academy, including Dr. John Hatzadony, Chair of the Homeland Security Program; Dr. John Harrison, Associate Professor of the Homeland Security Program; Dr. Spyridon Plakoudas, Assistant Professor of the Homeland Security Program; and Dr. Rasmus Dahlberg, Associate Researcher and Associate Professor.
A major portion of the discussion centered on U.S. policy toward Iran, where panelists provided a detailed analysis of the Trump administration’s ‘maximum pressure’ strategy. The experts assessed its current effectiveness, considering the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Iran relations.
U.S.-Israel relations formed a significant part of the conversation. The panelists examined the state of these relations under Trump’s second term, focusing on future diplomatic engagements and the challenges related to peace efforts in the region. The discussion explored how the Trump administration’s stance on key issues such as the status of Jerusalem and security cooperation with Israel might impact the broader Middle East peace process, with particular attention to the role of the U.S. as a mediator.
Another vital point of focus was the stability of the Middle East. Experts discussed how the evolving U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s second term could have far-reaching consequences on the region’s security. They examined potential outcomes in conflict zones like Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and how U.S. policy could influence future interventions or diplomatic efforts in these areas.
The panelists offered varied perspectives on the long-term implications of Trump’s approach to regional stability, stressing the interconnectedness of U.S. policies and the enduring security challenges in the Middle East.
Rabdan Security and Defence Institute is committed to fostering meaningful conversations on critical geopolitical and security issues, and this event provided a valuable opportunity for academic, policy, and security experts to engage in productive dialogue.
About RSDI:
Rabdan Security and Defence Institute (RSDI) is the UAE’s first international think tank focused on defence and security, operating under Rabdan Academy, a global leader in safety, security, defence, emergency preparedness and crisis management.
RSDI offers in-depth analysis, research, and strategic recommendations to policymakers on defence and security issues in the Middle East. It enhances understanding of the region’s security dynamics and helps identify potential threats, opportunities and challenges.
RSDI’s research areas include, but are not limited to: Geopolitics, Energy Security, Human Security and Conflict Resolution, Military Capability Development, Defense Technology, Defense Industry and Innovation, Regional Security Cooperation, Civil-Military Relations, Terrorism and Extremism, Border Security and Immigration, Weapons Proliferation and Arms Control, Cybersecurity, Disaster Risk Assessment and Emergency Management and Response.
About Rabdan Academy:
Rabdan Academy is a government-owned world-class education institution established to coordinate and enhance learning outcomes for organisations and individuals in the Safety, Security, Defence, Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management (SSDEC) Sectors.
The Academy was officially established under Law No. 7 for 2013, issued by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is accredited by the UAE’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Education.
The Academy is the first higher education institution in the world specialised in the SSDEC domain that achieves top ‘5 star’ ratings in the 2 categories of Teaching and Employability under the QS Stars University Rating System.
As a unique institution, the Academy provides learning in a dual approach, combining academic and vocational education in one place, whilst recognising prior learning and experience and providing accredited and transferable credit from course to course and job to job.
